The threats of deadly dangerous change are part of our current life language. Oh, we can turn off the television and computer, but the warnings are still there. I think we know from basic marketing; fear sells. I’m certainly not saying let’s not be prepared for an emergency. Having water and canned food in case of major earthquake seems a wise decision. But being all consumed by the possibility of the approaching and imminent apocalypse--probably not.
Of course, in all of life we seek that balance, that stasis, the Goldilocks effect, the just rightness between hoarding and dying unprepared. So, I have some water and a couple of bags of rice, which probably isn’t enough – I may find myself when the big one hits, at the strange dude’s house down the street, who has been stockpiling provisions since 1983.
Our Christian life is a life lived in the now. Right here, right now. Surprise, this is also not something I’m very good at. I like to consider the good old days [of course they weren’t] or daydream about the utopian future [which is also very unlikely].
The now is better. It is always is. But whatever keeps me from that; fear, doubt, lack of confidence, all sounds rather silly and when I read the Gospel this week. When I hear AGAIN, let us practice being in this moment. In this moment I will meet God, I will see Jesus. I will know the love of God. I will not be stockpiling my good times to tide me over to my next good time. I will be seeing what is right in front of me. This is the life of a disciple.
Of course, the life of a disciple is fraught. There are hardships, no doubt about it. That is life following Jesus. Can we agree beloved to stay in the today. Stay in the moment of living and loving, sharing what we have for the good of the world, today.
Alison Schultz+
Priest in Charge
