"On the Journey"

If you haven't seen this movie, I recommend it for many reasons. It is a perfect illustration for Sunday's text from Romans. Everyone in the movie has the same destination - a retirement hotel in India, but the similarities end there. For some this is an adventure and for others it is scary.

Some embrace the experience and at least one of them can never adapt. One finds some closure and one opens up. And one, goes through a pretty radical transformation.

Paul knew that Christians are a similar 'motley crew' bound for the promises of life in Christ, but that it is a different journey for each and every one of us. Some are ruled by our fears and are always wanting to turn back and some just 'hold back'. Some think there might be possibilities and sort of 'wait & see' and others assume that it will all be good.

The important thing is that we are all on the journey together and we choose how it will be for us. Will we embrace the spirit of God's amazing grace, live in it and share it with others or will we be enslaved by our fears and turn back? The invitation of the Gospel is clear, we are all children of God, fully embraced, fully loved and fully welcome at Christ's table and we are all part of Christ's family. The only thing that holds us back or keeps us out is our own spirit. I find this exciting and scary at the same time. The way I know seems less threatening because it is familiar. But the new way is the one that promises me joy and adventure and new possibilities.

Funny how some things never change and some people never change. The good news is that Paul understood this and so does God, who transforms us all in love!

I am hoping to see all of you on Sunday. The journey promises to be a good one as we welcome new members, receive the gift of music from Sophie Viscuso and connect with each other at the table of true communion. 

Blessings,  Laura Lee

Text for This Week:

Isaiah 6:1-8

+Psalm 29

*Romans 8:12-17 p.158

John 3:1-17

 

Note: The texts in bold type will be read in the worship service and the one with an asterisk will be used as the focus for the proclamation of the word.