Hold Fast

Read Revelation 2&3

In his concession speech on Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate John McCain noted that a historic event of epic proportions had unfolded before our eyes.

"This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight. I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound. A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise. Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that."1

It was a gracious speech, and I was deeply moved by Senator McCain’s humble words. The election of the first African-American to the office of President of the United States of America is truly a historic event. It would have been a historic event no matter what party the candidate represented: Republican, Independent or Democrat. I’m not here tonight representing any specific political party or candidate. I’m here tonight as a child of God who has witnessed the unfolding of human events and seen in it the activity of God. And because God has been at work in our world in such a visible way, I feel compelled to give testimony to that event tonight. To overlook such a mighty work would be a sin.

I want to be clear. I’m not talking about the election of Barack Obama. I’m talking about the progress that has been made in the thinking of a nation and in the triumph of truth, justice and love over ignorance, prejudice and fear.

A hundred years ago, most African-Americans could not vote because they could not read. They weren’t allowed to attend public schools, so they couldn’t get the education and training needed to pull themselves out of the poverty that years of slavery had created. That was the world our parents and grandparents grew up in. To us it may seem like years ago, but to those who were there, it was just yesterday.
Our parents and grandparents grew up in a world where racial segregation, prejudice, and hatred were the norm. Our entire nation believed that African-Americans were lesser than. It wasn’t just white America that believed this. Our entire nation had been deceived. And don’t be mistaken: this belief that African-Americans counted as a mere 3/5 of a person2 (and who are we kidding, it was actually 3/5 of a white man!) – that belief came straight out of the mind of Satan! God was not in it. God created all of humanity in God’s own image and said it was good! It was the Devil himself who convinced us that some are better than others. Evil had infiltrated our land and corrupted every aspect of American life and culture.

The rules were enforced with fear, violence, and unjust laws. Those who dared to even THINK differently about people of color could face life-threatening consequences! And yet some still chose a different way.

Some were convinced of the truths they found in scripture: that people are conceived first in the mind of God, that all people are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that Jesus Christ came so that the whole world might have full and abundant lives in this world and in the next!

Some were convinced of the truth. So they held fast. They held fast to the truth, even when everyone around them said they were wrong. They held fast to their convictions, even when it cost them jobs and friends and sometimes even the Church. They held fast to their faith, even when they were beaten and tortured for it. They held fast. They held on. And they held out. They stood for equality and justice and freedom. They held fast. They stood firm. They endured with patience as the world slowly changed around them.

Because that’s what happens when the people of God hold fast. When people of faith hold fast to the truth, the world begins to change.

Much has happened in our country in the last 100 years. President-elect Barack Obama offers this recap:

"And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call."3

Much has changed in the last 100 years. But as both presidential candidates noted on Tuesday, we still have much to do. Your children will very likely live to see the next century. What changes will they see? What progress would you like to see us make in the future?

Some may believe these dreams of ours are futile, overly idealistic, and absolutely impossible to achieve. But the book of Revelation tells us to hold fast. Hold fast to what you have been given. Hold fast to the truth. Hold fast to what is right. Hold fast to faith. Hold fast to God. Hold fast to service. Hold fast with patient endurance (2:19).

Ghandi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

These are troubled times, and we may face many difficult days in the future. Times of testing will come. We may see times of feast and famine. Days of plenty and days of despair. We may be imprisoned, tortured, and made to suffer all kinds of indignities. But there will be a reward, in this life and in the next.

Progress comes when people of God hold fast to their faith. Sometimes, all it takes to slay a dragon is patient endurance. I’m not saying it will be easy, but the rewards are many: a world where God’s will is done and all the comforts of heaven await those who stay the course. Hold fast.

1 Concession speech delivered by Senator John McCain on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Published on the McCain-Palin 2008 website at http://www.johnmccain.com/splash110408.html. Downloaded November 6, 2008.
2 United States Constitution, Article 1, section 2.
3 Election night speech delivered by President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Published on the Barack Obama and Joe Biden website at http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/ gGx3Kc. Downloaded November 6, 2008.

God provides ... more than once

Philippians 4:15-20

What word of instruction do you hear?
You sent me help ... more than once. Why do we forget that? Maybe you don't. I do. Time and again, God has sent me the help I needed just when I needed it most. Money, friends, words of advice, words of caution, words of encouragement, food, answers to prayer, healing.... I probably worry most about money. Always have. Our nation's current economic woes don't help. I worry about the future. I'm afraid that I won't have enough money to do what I need to do. And the thing is... I've always had what I needed.

When I look back at my life, I remember how I have agonized over bills and debts and financial choices. It never added up on paper. It always looked like I was on the verge of ruin. But I have always had what I needed. God has always provided. Not once. But over and over and over and over and over and over, God has always sent help for my needs.

For what would you like to give thanks?
I am fully satisfied. There is nothing I need. God has showered me with all the blessings any human could ever possibly need. I am overwhelmed by the great, great love that I have known in my life. I have a nice home and a loving family, work that inspires and challenges me, friends that inspire and challenge me, and a world of opportunity for change and growth and exploration. I have been greatly blessed.

How have you missed the mark?
Lord, how often I fail to remember and give thanks for all that you have done for me. I worry and fret and stew and plan and ponder and agonize over things, and I completely forget that you are in control.

How is God present to you?
God provides. Sometimes through miraculous means. Sometimes through hard work and perseverance. Sometimes through the gracious generosity of others. But God always provides. And God always will.

Thank you, Lord, for today's reminder that you always provide help for our needs. You know what I need, even before I do, and you always provide for me. You always have. You have never let me down. Even when I doubted you. Even when I rebelled against you. Even when I made poor choices. You never gave up on me. You never turned your back on me. You never stopped loving me. Lord, I thank you for all that you have done for me. Help me never to forget your great love and mercy and provision. May I live with hope and faith and confidence in you because there are so many people who live in constant fear and worry and need. For them, it seems that the promises are not true. They have needs that are not being met. Lord, forgive me for the ways in which I have failed to go to their aid. Clear away each and every obstacle that stands between these, your beloved children, and all the things that they so desperately need. Give me faith to say with confidence, "God will FULLY satisfy EVERY need of yours." In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Be the message

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (Message version)

What word of instruction do you hear?
Be the message. What I find fascinating (and humbling) about this text is that the people of Thessalonica were living out their faith in such a dramatic way that people in other towns were telling Paul and Silas and Timothy how amazing the church in Thessalonica had been to Paul and Silas and Timothy. In other words, the missionaries were being told the story they had come to preach!

Now that's a witness. They were walking the talk. They were living what they said they believed. They hadn't just heard the gospel. They WERE the gospel. They embodied faith, love, and hope. And it brought them joy! Joy that prevailed over persecution. It was a way of life that inspired everyone who even heard about them.

For what would you like to give thanks?
For my grandparents, who set an example of hard-working faith, laboring love, patient hope, and prevailing joy.

How have you missed the mark?
Paul often writes about being in constant prayer for those whom he has ministered to/with. It reminds me that I need to pray more often for those who are a part of my ministry.

How is God present to you?
The images of God's hand upon me and the Holy Spirit putting steel in my convictions are resonating with me. I've been feeling tired and uncertain about the future. And, though I still don't know exactly where God is leading or how things will look five minutes from now, much less five years from now, I feel more confident about my ability to lead because I do know that God's hand is upon me, and I believe God has given me a vision for the future.

I am reminded of a chorus that our youth group sang way back in the dark ages when I was a teenager. I don't know who wrote it or if it is copyrighted.

Of my hands I give to you, O Lord.
Of my hands I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my hands I give to you.

Of my heart I give to you, O Lord.
Of my heart I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my heart I give to you.

Of my life I give to you, O Lord.
Of my life I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my life I give to you.
All my life I give to you.

Straining at the oars

Mark 6:45-52

What word of instruction do you hear?
Get into the boat. Jesus had just fed 5,000 men (and untold women and children) with just five loaves of bread and two fish. A miracle had occurred, and, despite the meager supplies, all ate and were filled. Everyone had all they needed. In fact, they had more than enough! After everyone had eaten, they took up 12 baskets full of leftovers. God had provided much more than they needed. But none of it would be wasted. It had to have been a powerful moment. I can only imagine how the disciples might have felt. Triumphant. Victorious. Confused.

They certainly seem to have felt content. They wanted to stay where they were. It was a good place. They had done a really good job. Things were going well. So let's just stay put.

But Jesus tells them to get into the boat. In fact, scripture says that Jesus made his followers get into the boat. He made them get into the boat and head out onto the lake without him. He made them go ahead. He stayed behind to pray.

It's tempting, isn't it? To stay put. To stay where we feel safe, successful, and well cared for. To stay where we have been nurtured and fed and blessed. I mean, what person in their right mind would want to leave a place of rest and abundance and security and head out into the unknown, where danger lurked, and high winds threaten to overturn your boat?

But Jesus tells us to go. Get into the boat. We've been fed. We've been blessed. We have witnessed the awesome power of God. That's great! But now it's time to go. Get in the boat. There's more for us to see and do and learn.

For what do you want to give thanks?
Jesus is with us in the boat. Jesus sees us when we are straining at the oars against an adverse wind. Jesus sees our struggles. He knows how hard it is. And he doesn't let us sink. He comes to us. He walks out to us. Above the struggles. Above the waves. Above all that threatens us and above all that frightens us and above all that seeks to wear us down. Jesus comes and will go ahead of us, and, if we call out to him, he will get right in the boat with us.

How have I missed the mark?
Sometimes, I get so busy, straining at the oars, that I fail to Jesus, out on the water, coming to rescue me. So I keep straining at the oars, trying to do it all by myself.

How is God present in this text?
God is the one who provides food for the journey, and God is the one who tells me to get into the boat, and God is the one who calms the storm that rages in my heart and in my world.

"I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore.
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me. Love lifted me.
When nothing else could help, love lifted me."
-- words by James Rowe

Worship that honors God

Isaiah 58 (Today's focus is on verses 6-9, but you will need to read the whole chapter to understand the context.)

What word of instruction do you hear?
The sabbath is a day to pursue God's interests, not my own.

Sometimes, we act as if we have done the Lord such a great favor by showing up for church on Sundays (or Saturdays or Thursdays or whenever). You even see this reflected in some of the contemporary worship songs (much as I love contemporary worship). "Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you're my God." Sometimes, you've got to wonder if the focus is on the glory of God and God's awesome power and righteousness, which all DESERVE to be praised. Or on God's very good fortune that we have chosen to bow ourselves before the Lord.... (I hope you hear the sarcasm.)

But it's not about the type of music that's used in worship. It's about the heart. Our motivation. Why do we worship? Out of guilt? Out of fear? Out of habit? Out of a sense of obligation? Out of our own need? To impress others with our holiness?

Worship that honors God is about putting God first. Putting God's interests before my own. Doing what God wants done. For no other reason that because God is God. God is good. God is great! And God deserves our praise and gratitude and devotion.

For what would you like to give thanks?
For all the faithful ones who have pursued God's interests and not their own.

How have you missed the mark?
Being critical when the sermon does not speak to me, the music does not move me, or the worship does not lift me up. Help me to remember, Lord, that it's not about me. It's about you.

How is God present to you in this text?
God is the voice of discipline, of prophetic exhortation. It is God who seeks to lead me in right paths. And God is there with an answer when I seek to do what's right and call on God for help.

Drink up

John 4:7-15

What word of instruction do I hear?
Drink. Jesus offers us a gift. Water. Water for the thirsty soul. Water that quenches the deep longing of the heart. A longing for God. A longing we all have. A need within each and every human being. Each of us needs God. We crave God. Without God, we die. Without God, we cannot survive. God is as essential to life as water.

Somewhere inside we all know that we need something. Our lives are empty and meaningless without God. Sometimes we can admit that to ourselves. But, often, we ignore the craving. Maybe we think we can quench that thirst ourselves. We're smart. We're strong. We can figure out some alternative for water.

So we deny ourselves the one thing that can quench our thirst. Maybe we try to bury the feeling under a ton of work, food, activity, good deeds, good times, friends, liquor, drugs, sex.... We hide behind anything that will cover up the deep emptiness of our lives, even for a moment.

But we can't live without water, and we cannot live without God. So, eventually, the craving returns. And it will stay with us throughout our lives. Our need for God is just that strong. It cannot be denied forever. So we have a choice. We can try to bury our craving for God. We can try to ignore it or find a reasonable substitute. We can torture ourselves with our own stubborn refusal to accept what we so desperately need. Or we can drink.

For what would I like to give thanks?
That God is not hemmed in by our prejudices. Jews and Samaritans may choose not to associate with one another. Blacks and whites may choose not to associate with one another. UT and UK fans may choose not to associate with one another. But Jesus doesn't play by those rules. He doesn't withhold love. He doesn't withhold water. He doesn't withhold eternal life from anyone.

How have I missed the mark?
Like the Samaritan woman, I can find lots of objections to the activity of God in my life. I can see the obstacles. (How can you draw water if you don't have a bucket?) And I am not open to receive the gift that Jesus offers.

How is God present?
God comes to us wherever we are, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, and offers us the very thing that we need to truly live.

Thank you, God, for providing all that I need, when I need it. Help me learn to rely more on you and less on my own strength and wisdom. Amen.

In tight spaces

Psalm 118:1-9

What word of instruction do I hear?
Call on the Lord. When I feel hemmed in.... When the world is crowding in on me.... When I feel trapped.... When it seems like life is over and there is no hope.... When there's no way out, no escape, no air, no room to breathe.... When I cannot find my way.... When I am lost in a sea of despair.... Call on God. Call on God.

Why? Because God's steadfast love endures forever.

God's love never ends. God's love stands forever. God's love doesn't quit. God's love doesn't leave me stranded. God's love will not desert me. I can count on God to be there, with arms wide open. God WILL answer, and God will set me in a broad place. A wide open place. A place of hope. A place of options. A place where there's room to breathe and run and jump and question and dream and dance!

For what would I like to give thanks?
Every time that I have felt like giving up, God has been there for me, to rescue and save me and show me a way.

How have I missed the mark?
Even though God has saved me time and again, I still forget to turn to God. I try to do things on my own. I trust in my own wisdom and strength and ability -- all of which are God's gifts to me. And God wants to use those gifts to accomplish God's will. But I forget sometimes to look to God for the answers. Until I find myself in a corner, with nowhere to go, nowhere to run, and totally without a clue what to do next.

How is God present?
God is on my side, ready to help me. God is right there with me. Right there with the answers. Hope. Truth. Possibility. God is there to clear a broad path.

Thank you, God, for setting me in a broad place where there are many options, freedoms, and truths. You have not left me stranded on a narrow ledge where I cannot move or breathe or think. You have set me in a broad place.