08-20-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 20, 2024
As many of you know, I am currently in Chautauqua, and it is actually cold. For those of you who do not know what Chautauqua is, the best explanation I can give is that Chautauqua is a church camp for adults, specifically those who are seeking to hear new ideas and to do so within the context of other thoughtful people. One of the speakers yesterday was Miroslav Volf, author of the book Life Worth Living. He played around with holding a clear distinction between a goal and the means to a goal. One of the examples he gave us was money. Money, according to Volf, has no value by itself. It is only a means toward a goal, yet sadly, many people lose sight of money’s real purpose and begin to view money as the goal. Volf implied that people who lack purpose beyond themselves, a genuine sense of calling, are much more likely to allow a means to a goal to become the goal. I couldn’t agree more, and I believe one of the gifts a church committed to justice, compassion, mercy, and kindness offers the world is a persistent reminder of Christ’s call to a life of self-giving, the pouring out of oneself for the common good (Philippians 2).

It is way too easy to fall into the trap of passionately serving a means to a goal rather than actually having a goal. Help me, Gracious God, to see what it is that you have called me to do with this life that I have been given. Amen.