Welcome to this blog. It is a new venture for me as I come kicking and screaming into the technology now available to us in the 21st century. I realize it is one more very useful tool in widening the conversation about life together in light of the Word of God and our faith journey. But, I thank you in advance for your patience. My purpose herein is listening. I want to hear and really LISTEN to what you have to say about and for the sermons I hope we share. To this end, I would simply like to offer two things each week:
1.)A proposition -- based on the Scriptural text for the upcoming Sunday;
and
2.) An observation -- based on same.
From there, it is up to you to respond and I hope you do. No word from you will go unnoticed or unappreciated, I promise as well. For we are all bound by the Living Word that is the grounding of our faith, Word that breathes and challenges, cajoles and perplexes, amuses and confounds us because it is grounded in God and LIFE -- and God's own abundant life.
I hope this adventure is both informative and creative. I thank you for your time and your interest. I look so forward to hearing your 'word' as well.
So, week one -- here goes:
In Matthew's text this week, 4:12-23, Jesus calls his first disciples.
Proposition: He meets them exactly where they are -- fishing, working, sweating, LIVING.
Obviously, he sees something in them that they don't see or are unaware of, and what he sees in them he likes, no -- loves, and he knows they can be useful to his own work and the Kingdom of God. They follow "immediately" and seemingly without question. So, one might draw the conclusion that they in turn, meet him where he is -- and see something in him that pulls them in his direction without the slightest reservation.
How did he know to do that, to call those men at that time? (And don't cop out by saying "he was God." He was human, too.) And, how did they know to trust enough to respond?
Finally, what is it that keeps us from doing the same in our relationships with one another -- meeting others where they are and accepting, seeing beyond the obvious to the deeper promise of the possibilities of relationship they may possess?
What's your observation?
a.
Anna, thank you so much for starting your blog. I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are that Jesus knew to see how others could apply themselves to the work of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. In our own relationships, I wonder if we tend to not accept ourselves as being wonderfully made, and that limits our views of others.
I think there was a feeling that was all over Jesus that made most people feel he was different and maybe more than human. It would have been amazing to have seen what it really looked, and felt like.
ReplyDeleteIn relationships today, you have to be open and not be hurt when someone seems to avoid you and not open up to you, or even worse hold a grudge. It seems we all need to remember that a bit of "niceness" will be more productive and bear much fruit than avoiding or ignoring.
Sometimes it is so hard to meet others where they are, when where they are keeps hurting you...
ReplyDelete