On Thursday morning my physical therapist came to my home for the first time this week. The scar from my hip replacement is healing nicely, but all of the muscles which have held poor alignment to protect my injury for the past 5 years are now tight and angry. We are working together to re-train them to hold correct positions, and it is hard work. When she asked me where it hurt, I drew an air circle around my entire body! As she worked, using her expert training and experience, pressing gently and deeply into places of soreness and pain, I slowly felt each muscle and tendon begin to light up, radiate heat, and then, eventually, release.
This Sunday, we will be focusing on the spiritual practice of release in the second week of our four-week series on gratitude, generosity, and telling Our Money Story. We began by remembering last Sunday: that God is enough, the Lord is faithful, and Jesus is ever-present, ready to heal, help and bless us. But in order to experience grace, we have to re-member ourselves to God, to the Body of Christ, so that we might recognize and accept the generous gifts already being offered to us.
I wish healing from emotional, mental and spiritual wounds was as “easy” as physical therapy. Sure, we can pray and journal, seek talk therapy, make amends, and even forgive others… but the pain remaining from churches, families, or individuals who told us that they (or, worse yet, God) could not, would not, or did not love us just the way we are… those memories linger and cause much more damage than a torn labrum! Sometimes they become embedded in our minds as bad theology or critical voices. We can’t change the past, but we can release it; not so that it may continue repeating itself as cycles of abuse in our lives, but so that we can learn and grow, be strengthened and transformed.
As we spend a few weeks pondering God’s incredible, overflowing, amazing, undeniable love for us, I invite you to think about where you hurt. What wounds have already healed, and which are still open and waiting? Do you trust God with your heart, soul, mind… and even your finances? We don’t have to trust our physical bodies - they are programmed for healing. We just have to get out of their way (stop picking at our scabs, and feed them healthy food so they have enough energy to do the hard work).
How about our wallets? Are they contributing to God’s healing work in our world? Let’s put our money where our mouths (Faith) are… please take a look at the Commitment Cards you received in church last Sunday or in the mailbox this week. Pray about how God wants you to grow your faith by investing in God’s work through Christ Church. And then make a leap - fill out the card, drop it in the mail or offering plate on Sunday. Let us know what you plan to do… we are excited about the healing and growth ahead, and we’d LOVE for you to join us in the joy!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Emily
P.S. Didn't get your Commitment Card? Download this pdf you can print and fill out to turn in.
