ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 12, 2023
In our staff meeting on Tuesday, I shared the direction of my sermon for this Sunday and how I Peter 4 describes the love of the community “covering” our sins. The Greek word we translate as ‘cover’ is the verb version of the Greek word hut or cabin. So basically, love builds a structure around our sins (on Sunday, we will talk more about the ‘S’ word…sins). It was Mariah who, at our meeting, referenced an old version of Peter Pan where the Lost Boys, after Wendy falls asleep, build a house over her. Those who love us will do what they can to create a protective doom over us (or cover us with bubble wrap) to shelter us from anything bad that might come our way. In I Peter, the love of the community helps to place a buffer between us and what is not of God. I like the image because there is often stuff that is challenging, if not nearly impossible, to separate from. We need help if we are going to put enough distance between us and the things we no longer want to shape us in an unhealthy way. These words from I Peter 4 are immediately followed by an invitation for us to serve one another with the gifts we have been given. As we continue our look at Spiritual Gifts, it is important to recognize how the love of the community helps to bring us into a more healthy place from where we can better share those gifts.
You have gifted each of us, Generous God, yet there is a responsibility within the community to make each person more receptive to the gift and a better vehicle through which the gift is shared. Amen.
