EASTER 05

May 02, 2010

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

Isaiah 43:16-21; Ps. 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8)

CHANGING INTO WHO WE TRULY ARE

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

            It is not often we get three readings with such a clear connection. Of course, this is the season of Easter — the weeks following Easter Sunday so I guess the theme of “newness” and “transformation” is very appropriate.

            We don’t realize what a major, life — world change Jesus’ death and resurrection were for the Jews, and the Gentiles. I tried to find a comparison and the best I could come up with is that we get up one morning to discovered we are Moslem! It was that large a change.

            The disciples went to bed expecting a messiah and woke up to discover the KNEW the messiah. The disciples went to bed as the people of the book — the Torah, the book of laws and woke up to discover they were the people of a person – Jesus Christ.

            In many ways I envy them and that change. I am sure it was scary and disconcerting — but it was dramatic enough to be noticed by each of them. We tend to just drift along like a leaf on the calm stream. Our direction changes tend to mild and barely noticed.

            Jesus says to them, and us, “a new commandment I give to you, that you shall love one another as I have loved you” ..... This is a change and a major change. Before the Jews had these very specific laws to follow. Now they had this more general goal. Before they could step on someone’s toe because there was no law against stepping on their toe. Now there that is not acceptable. They had to think about the ramifications of their actions and words.

            Jesus “new commandment” does raise a couple of interpretation questions. Did Jesus mean ‘new’ as in ‘additional?’ “You had the 10, now here is number 11' Or did Jesus mean “this one supercedes the others – is more important than the others.” NOT to replace the others but in the sense that ‘do not kill’, ‘do not commit adultery’, ‘do not steal’ are all ways in which we love one another. Treating each other well is the commandment and the others are details necessary to follow the commandment.

            That’s what I believe — that this one is more important than the others. In another place Jesus says as much when asked what is the greatest commandment and He responds ‘to love God and to love your neighbor’.

            Another question, and possibly the more important one is what Jesus meant by ‘one another’. Some people believe that means ‘members of the community’ — then it would have been the other disciples. Now it might be members of a church.

            I don’t think it is that narrow a teaching. Certainly we should begin by treating members of our community well, but Jesus frequently spoke about how He had come for all people. And when asked “who is my neighbor?” Jesus always gave a very expansive answer – an inclusive answer and not an exclusive answer.

            So, we are told that we are to change, to be transformed and one major aspect of that is to begin treating everyone well. ... Bad news ---- few of us WANT to change. Most of us are comfortable and do not want to change. Oh, maybe minor things like losing weight or changing careers but Jesus is speaking about a MAJOR change — changing who we are in many ways and we do not like that because it makes us uncomfortable. The old joke can apply to any group: “change? I became an Episcopalian to avoid that!” ... its true for most humans.

            What we need to understand about this change is that God will not do it. God will assist, but not force the change on us.

            Second, we need to understand that the change is from having a scattered lack of focus to being focused on God.

            Third, such a change is both much less than, and much more than we can imagine. God seldom takes a person who has never played an instrument and calls them to lead the orchestra! God seldom takes a person who does not enjoy teaching and calls them to lead thousands.

            No, God works with who and what we are to help us be transformed in the sense of being refined, better focused.

            And finally the most important thing to understand is that this transformation is INTO who we were created to be and WANT to be. It is not about changing into something we dislike but rather being refined into what will bring us the greatest joy, greatest satisfaction.

            Try this ..... remember or imagine a time when you did something you needed to share with someone. Maybe it was a great golf score, or the way a garden is growing, or a success at work. Something you are just bursting to tell others about. Yes, in a way it is bragging but it is more than that. It is sharing your joy.

            Got that in your mind? ....... OK, now imagine that the person you are so excited to tell is Jesus. That something in your life is so exciting, so wonderful, so satisfying that you cannot wait to tell Jesus about it. ....... THAT’s the life God wants to help us transform into. A life when we do things so wonderful, so exciting, so satisfying that we cannot wait to tell God about it.

            WHOA! ..... I am not talking about moving mountains or raising the dead! Don’t go there. I am talking about things we can do but maybe need to focus better. It might be speaking to someone who is in pain. It might be sending a card to someone who greatly appreciates it. It might be giving food to a hungry person. Whatever — it is about transforming ourselves into the minister we were created by God to be.

            One good hint about that direction is to ask ourselves what we enjoy doing. Or maybe even better, what we are passionate about. God’s task for us may not be that exact activity but it will be something related.

            Let’s assume for a moment that you are interested enough to ask for more information. You want that truly no commitment, free estimate to see if this is where you want to go.

            That process is usually called ‘discernment’. To ‘discern’ or understand what it is God has created you to be, and do. Because being and doing what we were created to be and do is what we will be most passionate about and most satisfied doing.

            The discernment process is both deeply personal and done in community. We need to consider from a deeply personal perspective what it is that makes us happy. But our friends frequently can help provide some clarity in that conversation. They will see things in us we don’t immediately recognize.

            The entire process I think has four steps. The first three overlap a lot.

            First of all we ask ourselves what are our innate talents and gifts. For this purpose we will use those words interchangeably. What are our innate talents and gifts? One person might be talented at music whereas another at math. One person might be good speaking to a crowd whereas another is much better one on one. One person might dream big dreams whereas another understands the steps necessary to make those dreams happen. What are our talents and gifts?

            Second, what training have we received? This could be formal or informal but a person who has never seen a piano is unlikely to immediately be a good pianist! A person who loves numbers will not be a good bookkeeper without training. So what training have we had?

            Third, what experiences have we had in our life? That’s a harder one. A person who is gifted as a teacher but has never taught might not understand their talents.

            Experiences can add to us. I am divorced and re-married. Although I would never suggest that path to someone, those experiences are frequently helpful in talking with people. I have never been an alcoholic or had a mis-carriage. I may be able to speak to people who are addicts or a woman who has mis-carried but not with the same credibility. What experiences have I had that can help me serve God?

            Finally, what is happening right now in my life? We are all shaped by external forces. Sometimes shaped more than we really need to be, but we are shaped. And that shaping affects the ways in which we can be transformed or refined for God’s service.

            It may be: I am the caretaker for a sick parent. I am financially independent. I am unemployed. I am healthy. I just had a heart attack. .... All those situations and a thousand others impact who and what we are.

            The series we are beginning here is designed to help us address those very questions. Do I want to be transformed more fully into the person God created me to be? ..... If so, what shapes me?

            I like the image of a person walking down the hall with a plunger and large wrench. We may not know exactly what task they have before them but we can bet it has something to do with plumbing!

            When we clarify for ourselves what are our talents, training and experiences than we have a better idea of the ministry which we will be most passionate about, find most satisfied doing.

            The final step is what some people call ‘studying our environment’. God is not likely to be calling us to move to another area. Rather, God wants us to bloom where we are planted Therefore we spend some time considering where we are planted to find out how we can best bloom.

            Yes, ultimately this is for ourselves ... our own satisfaction and joy. But it is also for God. The sayings are both true and manipulative — but sometimes the truth does manipulate us! ..... We are the only hands God has on earth. We are the only feet, the only mouth God has on earth. And, it is very possible we will be the only sign of God’s love that other person will ever see.

            Do you want to serve God in new and exciting ways? Do you want to refine and focus your life so you experience exciting and wonderful things to tell God about?

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)