Seek
the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to
give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:31-32 (NLT)
I’m going to stop reading the hand-wringing stuff
about General Conference 2016. For the
last year or so everyone has something to say about the quadrennial gathering
of worldwide Methodists, and how it is going to look like the battlefield after
Armageddon.
Of course the issues are what they
are…always….posturing for position and power; one group wants this, another
that. It’s been the same since Cain and
Abel (with about the same result…brother killing brother…at least spiritually,
and reputation-wise).
When it comes to hand-wringing over the outcome –
whether the progressives or conservatives will win the day – I’m out! I just don’t want to be around for the
shouting and finger-pointing.
Well, if you go away from one thing you
are, of necessity, moving towards something else. Where will I go with my time, energy,
thoughts, prayers, presence, gifts, worship and witness?
I feel a little like Peter when Jesus asked the
disciples if they would leave him too:
Simon Peter replied,
“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. John 6:68 (NLT)
Well, I’m not going away. That’s settled, but there are three places I
know I’m going for sure:
My Family
I’m a typical pastor, having worked too many long
weeks, neglecting the family that God graciously placed in my life. I need and want to pay more attention there.
My Church Family
God also has allowed me to be preacher-pastor to a
flock of loving believers. They need
less hand-wringing political stuff and more daily-this-is-what-it-means-to-follow-Jesus
stuff.
My Lord
Jesus said to seek the kingdom above all else; he also
told us the Father is tickled-pink to give us that kingdom. Whatever else that means, for me the primary
target is the opposite of hand-wringing in the Holy Spirit over the outcome of
political wrangling; seeking the kingdom is about living in peace, joy and a
sense of well-being for the one who truly rests in Christ. That’s what don’t be afraid little flock
can lead to!
As I look back over what I’ve just written, the three
most important “places” of my life have nothing to do with being where they
meet for General Conference to do battle in the arena; in fact they aren’t places
at all – my important “places” are people.
How about that?
I guess (in a sense) Jesus did come to die for General
Conference….and all hand-wringers everywhere too. But, I don’t think he called me to be a
player there; rather he called me to engage where I am – to be there in heart,
mind, soul and strength, loving God by loving those around me.
So…if you’re looking someone to join the sit-in, or
filibuster the powers-that-be, or someone to write a hand-wringing lash-out
over this group or that great injustice to the bumblebee….guess I’m not your
man.
If you’re looking for a Jesus-following, lover of his
wife, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and church family…that’s where I’ll be.
For You Today
Maybe there are those who are called to be a
hand-wringing Methodist, or Baptist, or whatever brand…but I rather doubt the
hand-wringing part.
So, how about putting the hand-wringing worry to the
side – be part of the fear-not little flock.
Let’s do a little kingdom-seeking!
Good stuff! Thank you Russell!
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