If you've ever had the joy of travelling with kids on a long trip then you know the monotonous question that is always on their lips, "Are we there yet!"
Most little kids don't fully realize that a 10 hour trip is necessary for getting to the beach. They aren't acquainted with the discipline to make the trip. They, like so many adults, want their parent to give them instant gratification. CS Lewis talks about our desire to have God become sort of a heavenly Grandfather who will approve of most of what we do, after all God is love and will love us no matter what, Right? Unfortunately this is not the same characterization given in the New Testament. What kind of Father would willing sacrifice his son when he could just love us without the Cross? Sadistic. But if it was the only way, then only words like savior, Messiah, Emmanuel, El Shaddai would fit.
As we grow older, however, we understand the facts of travel and know what's at the end of the road. Take you eye off the destination, and the trip will quickly become unbearable. Faithfulness without meaning. But spiritually many adults never really grow up and expect heaven on earth without realizing the difficult work that has yet to be done. We've taken our eye off the purpose of this trip, journey, walk, [whatever metaphor you care to use] and feel the life of a Disciple is unbearable because they don't understand the purpose.
For me, two questions seem to lie behind the “Are we there yet” question....
(1) Where are we going? [If I don't know where I'm going, I question whether this trip is really worth the wait]
(2) Can I trust you to get me there? Do you know the way? [should we wait for another?]
As a church, how would you say we’re doing with respect to these two questions? Are people in the congregation asking us, Are we there yet? When will this rollercoaster stop and I can begin really enjoying myself? Perhaps they feel the destination is to return to the "way things use to be"? But that is no destination just a sentimental longing for security and predictability.
On these two questions, I personally would give a D and a F+ respectively.
I don’t think I’ve articulated the direction we're going in a manner people will accept. I think they want to go one direction and now seem to be going in another. Which is the correct destination or does it depend on who you ask? How would God answer that question?
Second, I don’t think the congregation trusts enough to get them there. Through the inevitable ups and down of life there must be a level of trust that helps us get through and keep going. I really don't know how to get over this one.
Steve,
I’m really struggling with your thoughts here. In one sense, I see where your frustration lies. But in another, I’m afraid you may be only hearing the foghorns that want to take us back into the harbor instead of heading out to open seas.
I don’t hear MOST people asking “are we there yet?” I do hear folks asking where we are going, but for the most part I do sense a higher level of trust than you seem to be perceiving. Maybe the lack of a sense of urgency is part of your frustration?
One thing I do believe about this journey is that we have to be very careful not to fall into the trap of thinking we have all the pieces in place before we start moving. Faith demands that we move in response to God’s call on us. If we wait until we think we’re ready to move, it will be too late…we won’t have fulfilled that call. And we can be sure that God will allow our faith to be tested. He’ll allow those foghorns to keep blaring, calling us back to safe harbors. Moving forward in faith doesn’t require putting our affairs in order first. I’m reminded of this passage in Luke 9: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kindgom of God.”
If there is a point where we are not making the grade thus far, I would say it’s in our efforts toward discernment. We need to focus more on learning where God wants to take us and less on worrying about whether people are willing to go there. If it is God’s will, it will happen. Minds will be opened and hearts will be moved. I know people will always have the choice not to respond to God’s call, but we have to have faith that God will move this church forward with the people who do respond.
One question we need to ask at this point is, is this a journey for which we NEED to know the destination? Is there even a destination, or is the journey what it’s all about? Is our vision for where we’re going to be in 5 years or 10 years really a destination, or is it just a waypoint in the journey?
Way to go, Joe — “If it is God’s will, it will happen. Minds will be opened and hearts will be moved…God will move this church forward with the people who do respond.” And nothing, NOTHING — absolutely NOTHING — the “foghorns” say will stop that! Believe that, kettle!
Suppose, kettle, you put the following ad in the Tidings — Wanted: people who are willing to pray for discernment; who have a willingness to lead and, if necessary, follow; who possess an attitude that it is all about God and not about “me”; who have a desire to serve; who are willing to “take a leap of faith”; and who want desperately to heed the call — “Get in the boat.” Do you think anyone would apply? Suppose one did? Suppose five did? How many do you need when you remember that God enables us to move mountains if we have faith no bigger than a mustard seed? How many do you need when you remember that “with God all things are possible”?
How many do you need to “Get in the boat” with you and take the ship “out of the harbor and in to the open seas”? Remember Noah? God told him to build an ark — cubits by cubits with pitch. Bet there were lots of nay-sayers around him. Bet there were lots of people who didn’t believe, who chose not to believe, who did not realize that it was God — the God — who was telling Noah to “Get in the boat.” That was a pretty big boat. Right? How many people went in the boat? Eight! And most of the time, the windows were closed. Right? Who piloted the boat? Noah? No! God! And all He did was tell Noah and the others to “Get in the boat” and TRUST Him. Pretty big “leap of faith,” kettle, don’t you think for Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives? But they did it! They trusted! They TRUSTED God and “Got in the boat.”
Get in the boat, kettle, trust God and get in the boat; and then watch and see how many of us trust God and you and get in the boat with you!
Back to my original questions, kettle. How many do you think will heed your call to “Get in the boat”? How many do you need when all you really need is God? How about saying “Get in the boat” and see how many of us come and START the journey with those of us who will heed the call. Bet you will be surprised by how many will jump on board once the boat starts moving; but you’ll never know if you do nothing but wait for all of us to show up. Some — for reasons known only to themselves — walk slower than others. Take them out later, but don’t ignore those of us who are ready to go now — with you and with God on the ride of a lifetime. I, for one, can think of no one I would rather “take that leap of faith” with and for than you and God. I think Joe would agree. So, kettle, Captain kettle, you may have to set sail with a small crew; but remember “we may be little, but we are mighty” because we are championed by the Almighty.
To the crew of the SS Sacra Via,
Prepare to get underway. I cannot say when or if we will ever come this way again, so please invite all those you can to join the voyage, but if they choose not to come, don’t despair. I have been assured other boats will pass this way after us and they may choose take one of those, we must leave that to heaven. For those who do go, however, this will not a cruise ship; everyone is part of the crew and will be assigned jobs to make the journey and share the load. Some will be hesitant and some will be eager to set sail. So the time has come to cast off and find the “far country” to battle demons on the outside and on the inside. To face your greatest fear, to see the world greatest glory, and to know that your life was meant for this moment, this time, this place. To live as the adventurers you were created to be.
Welcome Aboard!
HOW EXCITING, CAPTAIN KETTLE!
THE ADVENTURE AND THE JOURNEY HAVE BEGUN!
PRAISE GOD!…and the Holy Spirit, who have enabled you, Captain kettle, to “face your greatest fears” so that we can face and erase ours; who have indwelled in you a desire to “see the world’s greatest glory” so that we may join you in an adventure of a lifetime; and who have affirmed to you, Captain kettle, “that YOUR life was meant for this moment, this time, this place” so that you and your crew can be a part of the realization of God’s vision for FUMC.
My back may be weak, but my heart is strong. My words my be inadequate, but His Word and “grace will be sufficient.” I will serve as best I can always praying to be blessed with His commending comment, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I am His, but I am here to help you, Captain kettle, “make disciples and make a difference.”
I am “in the boat”; I am ready “to set sail.” As are the others. Thanks for welcoming me and the rest of the crew aboard and thanks for rising to the challenge of captaining God’s SS Sacra Via.
Noah doesn’t have anything on you!