ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 8, 2022
If-Then statements are generally unhealthy in religion, even used sometimes in abusive ways. In Proverbs 3, we read the words: “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce…” I love those words, and they make me think about how I try to honor God with everything I am, everything I own and everything I do. There are definitely areas for improvement in my own life, yet it is a powerful concept in my faith journey to think of not simply honoring God by showing up in worship and listening to a sermon and singing a few songs. What does it mean to bring all of who I am to this relationship? The problem is the very next line of scripture. There we read, “…then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Suddenly, what is the motive? Do I honor God because of the material things I will get from this relationship? How about all the folks who are struggling right now, and their “barns” and “vats” are not overflowing? Is this a sign they are not honoring God? One of my takeaways from the Jesus story is that of honoring and serving God with all of who we are, and it is in that experience that we discover what life is all about. When I love God and love my neighbor; when I honor the Gospel message by welcoming the stranger and the outcast; when I serve the Living Christ in the work of feeding the hungry, I am living the abundant life. And if we do such things, then more barns and vats of more people will provide what is necessary for a joyful life. I am sort of OK with that If-Then statement.
Provide me space, O God, to reflect on who I am, what I have and what I do. As I honor you with more and more of what makes me the person I am, I believe your dream for me and all of creation will be realized and joy experienced. Amen.
