10-23-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
October 23, 2024
Peter Drucker is a name you probably know. He was an author and consultant in all things business, but a lot of his writings extended well beyond how corporations should work. In fact, he gave a lot of good advice for life. One of the quotes I like is: “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plans.” We’ve all known someone who talks a good game but chooses to not show up for the game. Or the old saying, “All hat, no cattle.” The church is built on commitment, but the commitment is not to an institution. It is to a vision of human existence and interaction put forth in the life and teachings of Jesus. When commitment is to an institution, it almost always becomes about protecting sacred cows and beloved rituals. When people are committed to the ways of Jesus, there is a willingness to let go of certain ‘personal likes’ for the sake of participating in what God through the Holy Spirit is doing in the moment. I’m not pretending this is easy. In fact, I would suggest it is for most of us a daily challenge that must include reflection, confession, and repentance. In my own life, I have been confronted with a number of things that clearly were not of God, but I sure had made them into inescapable attributes of the faith. Personally, the communion table is an event that often calls me back, centering me in the unconditional and limitless love of God. There I remember Jesus who said to his followers, and thus said to me, “Love others as I have taught you to love.” I want to be committed to that above all other things, but I have a feeling I’ll notice something in the days ahead that has slipped above it and become a distraction.

Through your gracious and empowering Spirit, God, I pray for the capacity to continue to grow in my commitment to you and the ways of Jesus. Amen.