Resolutions for Holy Living

One of my favorite cartoons by Charles Schultz features Charlie Brown and Lucy. In the opening caption Charlie Brown says to Lucy, "Happy New Year, Lucy! Have you made any new year's resolutions? Lucy replies, "New year's resolutions? Why should I make new year's resolutions? Resolutions are for people who aren't satisfied with the way they are, aren't they? Are you implying that there's something wrong with me? Do you think I need to improve? What's the matter with the way I am?  Do you see any room for improvement in my life?" The last picture shows a frowning Charlie Brown walking away saying, "Good grief, I'm sorry I brought it up!"

It is the time to bring it up, for resolutions are a part of beginning a new year. Resolutions are at best an attempt to examine life and determine what needs to be done to improve its quality. To engage in such a process causes us to evaluate what life has been like, and to dream of what life can become. This, I believe, is-a good-exercise for as Christians. We should consider some resolutions for holy living in 2013, for I suspect, unlike Lucy, none of us are content with the way we are, and we can see room for improvement.

In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul offered resolutions for holy living. He wrote these words of encouragement and guidance to provide direction for living for the Christians of his day. He commended them for their faithfulness in Christ, and expressed hope that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will. He also expressed his desire that they might have wisdom and spiritual understanding so they might walk worthy of the Lord, be fruitful in every good work, and increase in the knowledge of God. Paul's words, even though they were written almost two thousand years ago, still challenge us to a life of more faithful and holy living.

In the letter to the Colossians, Paul reminded those Christians that Christ's followers are chosen people, holy and dearly loved, whose lives should reflect certain holy characteristics. Consider what he wrote: "Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don't worry about making a good impression on them but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.” (The Living Bible) After meditating upon these words, I have developed my own list of resolutions for holy living. I hope you will do the same.

First, I resolve to remember what God has done in my life and to be thankful.  Charles Swindoll gives a good illustration of life using an oyster and pearl. He writes: "Pearls are the product of pain. For some unknown reason, the shell of the oyster gets pierced and an alien substance--a grain of sand-- slips inside. On the entry of that foreign irritant, all the resources within the tiny, sensitive oyster rush to the spot and begin to release healing fluids that otherwise would remain dormant. By and by, the irritant is covered and the wound is healed, and a pearl is formed. No other gem has so fascinating a history. It is the symbol of stress--a healed wound, a precious tiny jewel conceived through irritation, born of adversity, nursed by adjustments. Had there been no wounding, no irritating interruption, there could have been no pearl.”  When I review my life, and realize what God has done, there is cause for thanksgiving. We must all remember that God can transform our lives into something beautiful and valuable, even in the midst of pain and suffering.  We need to look for the "pearls" that have resulted from pain of the past and thank God for the good resulting from such pain. I resolve to remember what God has done in my life and to be thankful. How about you?

Second, I resolve to be more patient and merciful. I have learned some valuable lessons from parishioners. Some have given me the gifts of their patience and mercy. In my first sermon in a new appointment I would usually say, "No doubt you will have many expectations of me as your new pastor. I will also have expectations of you. I will probably not live up to all of your expectations, nor will you live up to all of mine." I'm sure that has been true in every appointment. Yet what has brought me thus far is a deep awareness of the importance of patience in the midst of my impatience. Not only because of the inspiration of the scriptures, but because of what have learned from patient family members and friends, I resolve to be more patient and merciful in the new year. How about you?

Third, I resolve to experience and practice forgiveness. Being given a new year is like being given a brand new chalkboard and a fresh box of chalk. We can do with it as we like. Hopefully some of our "scribbling" on the chalkboard of life will be for the good, and will reflect the spirit and attitude of the one whom we are called to follow. But even when we fall short and mess up, God gives us an eraser so we can change our mistakes. The process is called forgiveness. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime, and will make many more, but what keeps me going and risking, is the assurance of God's forgiveness and the gift of forgiveness available for and from others. Healing takes place when we experience forgiveness. We can move forward toward a brighter and better day. We all need that assurance as we begin a new year. We need forgiveness for our own sake and for the Church's sake. I resolve to experience and practice forgiveness.  How about you? 

Fourth, I resolve to work harder at letting Christ-like love guide my life. Paul helps us understand how Christmas love can find expression in our lives. Remember what he said to the Christian community in Corinth in that great passage called the "love chapter"? It is in the 13th chapter of I Corinthians that we find the formula for  Christ-like love. It is not some sentimental, mushy feeling, but specific expressions of behavior that reach out and touch peoples' lives. Paul concluded that great list of love characteristics with these words: "Make love your aim." So important is this expression of faith that he included it again as he wrote his letter to the Colossians. As Christians we must ask, "What ways can Christ's love find expression through me?" As I ask that question I resolve to let Christ-like love guide my life. How about you?

Fifth, I resolve to spend more time searching for God's will for my life each day. There have been times when my life was so filled with activities that I simply went through the motions without asking how God’s will was involved in all I was doing. I eventually learned that the most important priority for a pastor is not keeping everyone happy, making a good impression, impressing peers or accomplishing great tasks to build a name for yourself. Pastors have a responsibility to discover and fulfill God's will for their lives and to help parishioners do the same. A pastor’s single most important task in ministry is to understand and be faithful to his/her calling, so that what he/she does with his/her life in living the gospel will be pleasing to God. What's true of a pastor’s calling and actions is also true of laity.

I once visited with a dear elderly and faithful church member who said that she begins each day with a simple prayer: "Lord, what do you want me to do today?"  I resolve to spend more time searching for God's will for my life and to be open to wherever He chooses to lead me. How about you?

As we begin a new year, may we discern what is required of us to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. May our resolutions shape a lifestyle of holy living that will be pleasing to God. 

Pentecost Faith

The history of the Christian church is a fascinating chronicle.  From its beginnings in the first century, various ways were used to tell the unique story of God’s love through Jesus Christ.  The central message is referred to as the gospel, meaning good news, and it has been told in many ways.  At first, it was by oral tradition -- word of mouth -- one believer tells someone else; then through preaching by the Apostles and others, and later by writings, especially through the accounts written by the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the Apostle Paul through his letters to the first century churches.  

Creedal statements were written at different periods, the first of which was the historic Apostle’s Creed based on the theological understanding of the gospels.  As the church gained momentum, great cathedrals were built, most of which included stained glass windows that depicted significant parts of the faith story.  As time passed, other art forms were used: hymns and poems, paintings and other works of art. 

Eventually the seasons of the church were identified and formed the liturgical calendar with each season representing a significant event to remember and celebrate.  I can’t imagine a year without Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, can you?   So we celebrate the holy seasons which brings to mind God’s mighty acts on our behalf trough Jesus Christ.  We proclaim Jesus Christ as the foundation and cornerstone of the church. And we affirm our faith in the resurrected Lord, and claim the promise of the resurrection offered to the faithful. And that we did seven weeks ago on Easter Sunday.

Following Jesus’ resurrection on that first Easter Sunday, there was a time of waiting.  It was time of reflection on the events that had transpired and what would happen next.  It was also a time to prepare for yet another of God’s gifts: the coming of the Holy Spirit. That leads us to today’s observance of Pentecost and an examination of the Pentecost faith that has keep the church alive and moving forward for twenty plus centuries.  Pentecost is referred to as the “birthday of the Church” and refers to the fact that on that Pentecost day long ago, people “came alive in the faith.”  But that occasion is more than a historical event recorded in scriptures that happened long ago.  There was a new birth in faith and a renewed spirit in the lives of believers.

So, what does Pentecost have to do with us today?  Pentecost, like the other seasons, calls us to remember and claim the unique message that has been proclaimed for centuries and continues to be offered today. Pentecost faith means that God offers the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers for faith living.

The New Testament Acts of the Apostles provides a picture of the formation of the first century church.  In Acts 1:8 we are told about Jesus’ ascension.  His final message to his disciples was a promise.  “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  These words laid the foundation for what happened at Pentecost described in Chapter 2 of Acts.

Pentecost was originally a Jewish holiday – a festival of the spring harvest. People had come to Jerusalem to celebrate this annual event.   The Apostles sensed that it was a great time and opportunity to proclaim what God had done in Jesus Christ.  So, that is precisely what they did. The Acts scripture records Peter’s marvelous sermon that not only proclaimed what God had done in Jesus Christ,  but also how God was pouring out his Spirit upon  the lives of the believers. As Peter talked, people began to surrender themselves to this power beyond themselves. According to scriptures, on that day some three thousand welcomed the message and were baptized into the faith. (Acts 2:37-42)  And this is how scriptures recorded what happened next:  “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers.” (v.42)   

We are so far removed from that first Pentecost experience that we have a hard time comprehending what actually happened. But we can realize its impact upon history. The scripture describes that first Pentecost in symbolic language: “a rush like a mighty wind”…“divided tongues, as of fire”…  We hear these words and can imagine what seems to have been happening in people’s lives. But we still might wonder, what was the meaning of such an experience?  Perhaps it can be stated more simply without image language:  When God’s Spirit works in the lives of people, their lives are transformed  and unexpected and sometimes extraordinary things become possible. Such is the work of the Holy Spirit. The words of a Modern Affirmation speak of the Holy Spirit this way: “We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby by we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in times of need.”  When we allow God’s Spirit into our lives, even today, we can be transformed and empowered to do the unexpected and extraordinary thing that is needed to the glory of God.  

Pentecost may be called the “birthday of church.”   The awareness of the Holy Spirit is an on-going miracle in individual lives that brings new birth and renewed faith in people’s lives. The Apostle Paul had his Pentecost experience on the Damascus Road. Two other disciples had theirs on the Emmaus Road.  John Wesley experienced his Pentecost at a prayer meeting on Aldersgate Street in London.  A young preacher fresh out of seminary had his Pentecost experience at his grandmother’s funeral when he experienced the power of the Holy Spirit at work in his life. Countless others have also discovered the transforming power of the Pentecost faith and have had their faith renewed and their lives enriched.

Several years ago I discovered a song recorded by a ministerial colleague that I consider to be a Pentecost prayer about what can happen in a person’s life when the gift of the spirit that Pentecost offers is accepted.  It’s called, “Fully Alive.”  Here are the words of that song:  The chorus goes like this:  “Fully alive in Your Spirit, Lord, make me fully alive. Fully aware of Your presence, Lord, totally, fully alive.”

“Don't let me miss all the glory around me, waiting for heaven someday to come. Open my eyes to miraculous Monday and make my feet march to eternity's drum.” 

“Don't let me wait for some far off forever, to say what I feel to the ones I hold dear. Risking the pain and the joy of loving, keep me awake and alive while I'm here.”

“Fully alive in Your Spirit, Lord, make me fully alive. Fully aware of Your presence, Lord, totally, fully alive.”   

I love this song's melody and its message, for it reminds me that Pentecost is not only a historical happening, but it can be a present reality.  With the Spirit at work in our lives, we can become “fully alive” and live in the present moment of each day.   Life has meaning and purpose. Every day is viewed as a gift and an opportunity to witness to God’s love and share it with others. We become fully alive when we put our Pentecost faith into practice. That should be our hope on this Pentecost Sunday!  

We need the presence of the Holy Spirit filling us, inspiring us, guiding us, strengthening us, and equipping us to be faithful follows of Christ.  Pentecost is a promise that reminds us that we are not alone, and that power is available to face the challenges of each day through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Ralph Edward Dodge was the first Methodist bishop elected by the Africa Central Conference.  In his later years as he approached 80, he wrote in his autobiography these words:  “We anticipate creative years ahead under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Undaunted we face the future with the assurance that our lives are on God’s hands.”   That’s the promise of Pentecost faith.

Last week in preparation for Pentecost worship, a pastor friend posted these words on Facebook:  “On Pentecost Sunday we will be releasing 12 white doves along with red, yellow and orange helium balloons at the benediction. They will be released outside on the front lawn. Our church’s Mime Troupe will be performing during worship and our children and confirmands will be singing... come experience the movement and power of the Holy Spirit with us!”  

Well, today we don’t have doves. There are no colorful balloons. We have no choir, no special performances, no fanfare. We aren’t gathered in a church sanctuary with stained glass windows.  But we know that God’s Presence still shows up in all places that honor his name and seek to worship and offer praise.  And if we are receptive, God’s Spirit will come again and again offering us comfort and strength for the living of these days.