Tell it!

Notes from the pastor...

In Deuternomy 6, the sojourning Israelites received their most holy instruction from God.  In this passage we hear the Shema Yisrael, the centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer service.
“ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your might.”
Continuing on, the people are informed as to how such instruction is to be passed from one generation to the next; from neighbor to neighbor. “You are to tell it to your children, and shall tell it when you sit in your home, and tell it when you walk by the way, and tell it when you lie down, and tell it when you rise.

Often we try to live out our faith through acts of compassion to the “least of these”. Continually we attempt to grow our faith through worship, study, prayer, and practice. However, we seldom tell it; tell the story of Jesus making a difference in our lives.

Doubtless, some of our apprehension comes from poor education in faith sharing, or even false models that stress psychological techniques that seem like forced conversion. But it does not have to be like this. You and I can tell our faith story just like we tell about our childhood or tell the story of meeting our mate.  People are curious about the beliefs that drive our life; inquisitive as to how we come to form our political and spiritual opinions, but how will they know the important things of our lives if we avoid such subjects or refuse to tell?

Added to the curiosity of our neighbors are the needs of our neighbors. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins said this week, “It is the need of our neighbors that needs to break our hearts and drive our board meetings.”  We need to tell our neighbors the story of Jesus affecting change in our lives, so maybe Jesus can affect change in their lives. Of course, our neighbors will not care about our story if they do not know our love.

On Monday evening, pastor and activist, Brian McLaren implored the Chrisitian Church (DOC) to live: Simple. Flexible. Vulnerable. I cannot think of any better adjectives that should embody the activity of telling your faith story. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid), is the acronym communication professors command of freshman students as they prepare for their first college speech.  When we tell our story, keep it simple-Where Has Jesus moved in your life? You were once ______________, but now you are __________. Flexibility in telling your story is all about conversation. If people wish to hear a sermon they will come to church on Sunday or listen to talk radio.  Telling your story is an exchange; do not forget to express love through hospitality and this means asking for their story before you share yours. For some vulnerability comes naturally, for others it is as foreign as kale with seaweed. Either way, vulnerable telling is imperative; it confesses, “I don’t have all the answers..” “I messed up my life..”; When I was out of control, Jesus made a difference…”

Let us tell it.  Tell it to our children and grandchildren. Tell it around the friendly table at Casa Blanca.  Tell it at the Links.  Tell it to our spouse when we lie down.  Let us tell it: tell the story of Jesus making a difference in our lives.

Grace,
Pastor Ryan