09-08-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 8, 2023
So this week, I started to work my way into the challenge that was given to the congregation last Sunday. What does a 53rd Stretch look like? One of the things I’ve tried to do is pray through the names of those who partner with Cypress Creek Christian Church, both members and friends, and to do so by name. In the last couple of years, it has only been happening two or three times each week, for maybe 20 or 30 minutes each of those days. This week, I just completed a third day, and each of those three days, I have prayed for between 30-40 minutes. You might have been one of those for whom I prayed. I’m hoping to sneak in another day this week, but if I am consistent with this increase over the next four weeks or so, it will be a 53rd gift of prayer… and maybe that additional time will become the norm. Donna and I also gave a 53rd Offering, an additional amount equal to one week's offering. I am currently trying to determine another area of my life where I can do some stretching, so if you have been pondering options and you’ve determined an interesting or creative 53rd Stretch, please share it with me. In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul talks a lot about Reaching/Stretching toward certain goals, and though he is clear that he is far from perfect, he writes about continuing to pursue them. He writes, "…so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose" (vs. 12). On Monday, I was cleaning in the laundry room (which still needs more cleaning), and among the lint and other stuff was an old rubber band. Who knows how long it had been there, and probably because it was sitting near the dryer, it was brittle. I pulled it just a little, and it immediately snapped. It was a pretty good metaphor for the importance of stretching our faith. An unstretched faith will become dry and rigid, and before we know it, even the most insignificant tug on that faith will be damaging. Not that a damaged faith can’t be healed, but I believe a better option is to continue to stretch and reach, allowing that faith to be nimble and flexible and resilient.

Holy Spirit, you continue to invite and beckon me to find my limits, and in doing so, I discover that what I believed to be my capacity may in fact not be anywhere near what I can do. Thanks for the nudge and a new potential for growth. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.