I work really hard to remain neutral. I don't discuss politics; no one knows how I vote. I rarely discuss news stories, and I don't make comments on social media. You will not have heard me being disrespectful toward leaders – whether government officials or religious heads.
I have always approached ministry by wanting to be available to all. I feel that if I express where I stand too strongly, then I might just close a door to someone who feels differently. I want to be a safe place where no one receives judgment, and we can walk our journey together. How can I talk to someone about the love of Jesus if I don't practice patience and understanding? How can I reflect the image of God if I'm busy telling other people they are wrong? How can I be a representative of Christ if I'm pushing my own agenda?
Maybe that's why Paul's letter to the people in Rome is my favorite book. He has such good advice on how to treat one another. To me, his words are solid and help guide me toward best behaviors. "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, CEB)
I use those particular verses quite often when I’m performing a wedding, and they are always meaningful to a couple who are pledging their devotion to one another. I’ve also used them as fodder for sermons; Paul’s words are pretty straightforward and easy to blend into present tense. The verses resonate with people and lead them toward renewed energy in relationships. Paul is pushing a strength of character through language that speaks directly to my heart with enthusiasm. He pens words that make me feel empowered to jump up and be a better person. I find excitement and intensity in a special way. No wonder I love using these verses on very special occasions!
This past week, though, I’ve needed to read Paul’s words over and over just to get through a regular day. My heart is broken, and my feelings are raw. Anger creeps in and taints my efforts to remain balanced. I haven’t wanted to keep my opinions to myself, and I haven’t cared to remain neutral.
What I have wanted is to post harsh feelings on Facebook and dare someone to disagree with me. I’ve wanted to use my entire sermon to lash out at bad behaviors. I’ve wanted to take a side so strongly that it shoves truth right down someone’s throat.
And then I’m called back into Paul’s words.
So I find myself stuck between everything I’ve worked toward in ministry and everything I’m called to be in ministry. Is it possible those are no longer the same thing? The rock of neutrality has pinned me into the hard place of chaos. The desire to remove all stumbling blocks from relationships is in tension with keeping my feelings to myself.
Time to re-group, re-think, re-imagine. Time to speak truth, peace and love with a very loud voice. Time to kick non-involvement to the curb and BE the Church.
Letting it out,
Pastor Beth
I have always approached ministry by wanting to be available to all. I feel that if I express where I stand too strongly, then I might just close a door to someone who feels differently. I want to be a safe place where no one receives judgment, and we can walk our journey together. How can I talk to someone about the love of Jesus if I don't practice patience and understanding? How can I reflect the image of God if I'm busy telling other people they are wrong? How can I be a representative of Christ if I'm pushing my own agenda?
Maybe that's why Paul's letter to the people in Rome is my favorite book. He has such good advice on how to treat one another. To me, his words are solid and help guide me toward best behaviors. "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, CEB)
I use those particular verses quite often when I’m performing a wedding, and they are always meaningful to a couple who are pledging their devotion to one another. I’ve also used them as fodder for sermons; Paul’s words are pretty straightforward and easy to blend into present tense. The verses resonate with people and lead them toward renewed energy in relationships. Paul is pushing a strength of character through language that speaks directly to my heart with enthusiasm. He pens words that make me feel empowered to jump up and be a better person. I find excitement and intensity in a special way. No wonder I love using these verses on very special occasions!
This past week, though, I’ve needed to read Paul’s words over and over just to get through a regular day. My heart is broken, and my feelings are raw. Anger creeps in and taints my efforts to remain balanced. I haven’t wanted to keep my opinions to myself, and I haven’t cared to remain neutral.
What I have wanted is to post harsh feelings on Facebook and dare someone to disagree with me. I’ve wanted to use my entire sermon to lash out at bad behaviors. I’ve wanted to take a side so strongly that it shoves truth right down someone’s throat.
And then I’m called back into Paul’s words.
- Let love be genuine. God expects me to love from my heart without limits. OK. I’ll buy that, but I think this means more than something within me. Love doesn’t really mean anything unless I share it, right? Time to figure out how to be real and what to do with that real love.
- Hate what is evil. Well, that sounds easy enough – on the surface. But is it enough to hate evil internally while remaining silent on the outside? Ugh. Now things are a little more difficult.
- Hold fast to what is good. This is bigger than John Wesley’s “do no harm” mandate. This is Wesley’s “do good” directive but on steroids.
- Love one another with mutual affection. Sure sounds like action is necessary. This may be the piece that is missing in June 2020.
- Outdo one another in showing honor. And there we have it. Another action word, and definitely missing in so many ways.
So I find myself stuck between everything I’ve worked toward in ministry and everything I’m called to be in ministry. Is it possible those are no longer the same thing? The rock of neutrality has pinned me into the hard place of chaos. The desire to remove all stumbling blocks from relationships is in tension with keeping my feelings to myself.
Time to re-group, re-think, re-imagine. Time to speak truth, peace and love with a very loud voice. Time to kick non-involvement to the curb and BE the Church.
Letting it out,
Pastor Beth