07-30-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 30, 2024
It is easy to fall into the trap. I know I have done it more than I’d like to admit, but so often we find ourselves speaking passionately about what we oppose but not what we support. We know what we do not believe, but we struggle to articulate what we do believe. It is easier to declare something to be evil, immoral, vile, or depraved. It is easier to get people to join your righteous indignation, and sadly, that kind of fury can raise a lot of money. Jesus quoted Isaiah early in his ministry as a sort of statement of purpose,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19).

Everything in that declaration of missional intention is positive and seeks to uplift others. Right before the pandemic, I was teaching a class at the church in which we were working on our individual purpose statements, and though I had done a lot of work on my own, it never got finished. In this time of negativity, name-calling, and the spewing of what people oppose, it might be good for us to think about what followers of Jesus would affirm.

Call me to a purpose that honors the work of Jesus. Place your Spirit upon me, O Good and Gracious God, for there are many who are seeing recovery, hope, release, and true transformation. Amen.