Always On

The day we moved into the Garden City parsonage, the lights were out. The power company had been given instructions to come and read the meter, but not to disconnect the service. Apparently, the standard procedure is to disconnect service when a technician is sent out to read the meter; so either he didn't read the work order carefully or whoever was responsible for writing it up left out that vital part of the instructions.

While we were waiting for power to be restored, we heard that it was not that uncommon to experience an interruption in service from time to time in our neighborhood. Some of the outages came during storms, but then others just seemed to happen for no apparent reason. I am happy to say that we haven’t experienced that many interruptions in service in the past year or two, although they did seem to come pretty regularly the first few months we were here.

There are parts of the world where most people rarely have dependable electrical service. They know that most evenings will be spent in the dark. Our visit to Kenya while Kathy was serving there with the Peace Corps made us more aware of that reality. Some evenings the power would stay on all night; and then other evenings we would try to make sure all our preparations for the next day were completed before the sun went down, because we didn't want to have to sort through our luggage with a flashlight in our mouth. There are parts of Honduras, Mexico and Belize where I have also found this intermittent service to be the rule rather than the exception.

Jesus promised his followers that he would not leave them alone. He would send a Comforter. The Holy Spirit would remind them of the things Jesus had taught them; but this same Holy Spirit would do much more than that. The Holy Spirit would give them the power to do great things—even greater things than Jesus had done. Furthermore, Jesus promised that this power would be available to them always. On day of Pentecost—the birthday of the Church--this promise was fulfilled. 

The church doesn't need to wait for the power to come on to start doing the work that God is calling it to do. Jesus has promised and God has sent the Holy Spirit to provide all the power the community of faith needs to accomplish great things—and great things are happening through Christ’s church. Would you join me in praying that more believers would claim the power and quit acting like the lights have been switched off? Then the church would truly be the blessing God has called us to be. 

Living in Unity

From the beginning, the television series, Lost, confronted its viewers with steady stream of questions: What caused Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 to crash? Where is this mysterious tropical island on which they find themselves? Who are these people?

One of the central characters was Dr. Jack Shephard. As the only physician to survive the crash, he quickly becomes a leader of the group as he is called upon to treat the injuries of his fellow castaways and direct their continuing care. Like the others, he initially believes someone will come to rescue them in a few days.  

As the days pass and the supplies from the plane begin to run out, tensions among the survivors begin to flare up. Hesitantly, Jack steps forward to challenge the group to ask themselves a few key questions:

It’s been six days. We’re all still waiting—waiting for someone to come; but what if they don’t? We have to stop waiting. We need to start figuring things out.

A woman died this morning just going for a swim and he tried to save her and now you’re about to crucify him.

We can’t do this. ‘Every man for himself’ is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here….

Last week most of us were strangers, but we’re all here now and God knows how long we’re gonna be here; but if we can’t live together, we’re gonna die alone.

“Live together or die alone” becomes a recurring theme for the rest of the six seasons. In one situation after another, cooperation leads to better relationships and improved living conditions; competition produces calamitous results.

When you read the New Testament you discover every one of the leaders of the early church—Peter, James, John and Paul—warned the members of the faith community about the dangers of pursuing their own selfish motives. They lived in a dangerous environment and they needed to care for one another, serve one another, encourage one another, love one another. Paul counsels the Romans, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (12:18).

Jesus prays that the community of the faithful may not only live in peace, but also discover the power of authentic unity: “I pray that they will all be one” (John 17:21). That is the power that will convince the world of the love of God and lead them to believe in the one who can give them life.

May the world see that power demonstrated in the community of believers.

No Fear

It is a scary world.

IED’s in Afghanistan.

Chemical weapons in Syria.

The growing threat of nuclear attack from North Korea.

And the violence is not just “over there.” Disturbed people with access to assault weapons make the places we go every day the scene of death and carnage. Radicals with an agenda mail letters laced with poison to elected leaders. People desperate for money—to support their addiction or pay their rent or buy the latest pair of Nikes—rob and steal from those who seem vulnerable. Someone you live with gets mean when they have had too much to drink.

Even if you are tucked safely into your home in a gated community with all the doors locked and the alarm system armed; you may find yourself lying awake on your pillow-top mattress worried about your balance at the brokerage. Will the Euro-zone collapse? How long can our country sustain its pattern of deficit spending? Are we headed for another “Great Depression?” Can I count on my job being there tomorrow? Next week? Next year?

What are you afraid of?

Loud noises? Dark rooms? Big dogs?

Roaches? Spiders? Snakes?

Running off the side of the road? Running out of time to complete an assignment? Running out of ketchup?

It is a scary world! Especially if you believe you have to face all the threats (perceived or ignored, imagined or real) on your own. There is no way anyone can protect themselves from every danger that puts them at risk. And a new menace seems to arise just when you think you have them all managed.

Here’s the good news: Jesus promises peace to those who love him and live their lives according to his plan. “And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).

Remember that the next time some strange noise wakes you up in the middle of the night.