ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 26, 2022
Churches and ministers like to quote from Isaiah 43 where God is declaring, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” We joyfully speak of the new thing God is doing—sermons are preached passionately and choirs sing songs proclaiming this news. I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in such celebrations, but so often we pass right over the last phrase—an important question: “Do you not perceive it?” We assume the new thing we are trying to do in the life of the church is identical to the new thing God is attempting to do. What happens if it is not? What happens when our new thing actually undermines the new thing God is doing? As I get older, and a bit more cantankerous, I find a hint of cynical curiosity. What is the source of people’s certainty in regard to the new thing they are claiming? If we have too much suspicion, we never do anything new. In fact, we might render ourselves incapable of doing anything at all. We need to take risks, believing God is always trying to do something new in us that will require us to take a step outside our comfort zone. Borrowing some language from Barbara Brown Taylor: If we mute ourselves, what do people perceive? What do they actually see? If they catch a glimpse of Jesus without all the religious rhetoric and pious pontificating, then it might be connected to the new thing God is doing. And even if it is not, I’m guessing some additional love and kindness inspired by the Jesus-life probably won’t undermine the new thing God is doing.
Let us listen and discern. Let us ask the tough questions. Let us be aware of the voices of those who are too often ignored. Divine Spirit, you are forever revealing and speaking, beckoning and guiding. If it is too easy and requires nothing of us, it probably is not of you. Pour into us the necessary courage to recognize the new thing you are doing, and then to actually risk participating with you, no matter the consequences. Amen.
