09-15-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 15, 2023
This weekend, I will be keynoting at the Regional Men’s Retreat, and the topic is based on the well-known Ecclesiastes passage: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…," and the question being put before us this weekend will be: "How does one live in a season of change?" A lot of people, at least from my limited experience, appear to be rather dismissive of change when it is more theoretical. They might even say they enjoy change. But then there is a death, a loss of a relationship, a dramatic decline in one’s income, a debilitating medical event, or a certain trusted idea that appears to be crumbling, and suddenly change is very real, and most people are not as excited about the whole notion of change. This is where I believe the Gospel of God’s limitless and unconditional love can be trusted, as it is never changing. With that said, I believe this life-changing gift is always seeking to reshape how it is presented so that it is relevant and purposeful for the moment. Romans 5 speaks of Jesus, and the selfless act of his death, coming "at just the right time." And though I am in no way suggesting any of us think of ourselves as Jesus, I do believe we have been called to reflect and embody his mission and purpose, and if that is true, we need to think about what needs to happen for the next generation to say, "Those people at Cypress Creek Christian Church showed up at just the right time.”

Could it be, Gracious God, that you have brought me to this moment for a reason? Are the gifts found in the Body of Christ—your church—exactly what are needed for this moment in time? Something tells me it is true, so whatever I can bring to this moment, I hope to do so with bold conviction. Amen.