Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19
Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.
Thought for the Day: Now I don’t believe Isaiah was suggesting the people completely forget their past. There were wonderful and powerful stories that rooted Isaiah’s community in the mercy and love of God, including the story of the Exodus. Yet often the new thing God is doing is kept at bay by an overly passionate commitment to the past…an almost idolatrous yielding to what was at the expense of what could be. One of the noteworthy slogans of our denomination (though not original to us) was: “In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity.” It was a radical notion in its time, and it remains an important concept in today’s world. Of course, most disagreements among those who have cherished these words could be linked to the question: What are the essentials and what are the non-essentials? In faith, one person’s essentials are another person’s non-essentials. The Body of Christ can point to this very thing as the primary culprit of many of its divisions. I have my own set of essentials, and I’m pretty passionate about them. You probably have your own set, and there might be places where we are going to be in conflict. First, let us reflect on the last phrase: In all things charity. Out of that charity, or sometimes stated as love, let us ask some important questions before the fight begins. Be curious, and ask a person about his/her essentials, and why those specific ones are essential? Even more so, ask for the story behind those beliefs? What scriptures and experiences have informed the person in claiming those specific essentials? The answers, if we actually listen, might just be insightful. We may not change our minds, but we might appreciate how a person came to that opinion.
Prayer: As I stand strong in my beliefs, O Gracious God, may I listen respectfully to those who may hold a different set of beliefs. No matter how different we may be, I pray for your help as I love those with whom I may disagree. Amen.
IMPORTANT MEETINGS
TODAY — SUNDAY
Church Board
Chapel at 10:10am
Congregational Gathering
Forum at 4:00pm
