An Intentional Adventure
Twentieth
Sunday after Pentecost
October
26, 2014
Deuteronomy
34:1-12
Matthew
22:34-46
This past summer we took a trip to Boston where I
challenged myself to take a true vacation. The last two times I had been there
I was there for a specific reason so I had no free time. During this trip I had
all the time I wanted, since Adam had workshops to attend all day. It's very
rare that we travel and I don't have an agenda or responsibilities. So I
walked, a lot. I got a pass for the T and a fairly detailed map and got to
explore. I had time frames and some dinner plans but for four days my time was
mostly my own. I must admit I got lost at times, got turned around and walked
to far off my path but in the end I saw every site I wanted, explored the
entire city and learned to navigate the T.
During this trip I also got to reflect on the last
couple of months, my life and all the changes that had happened. As I walked I
talked to God. We talked about my journey, my ministry and its goals, the steps
I have taken and need to take. Through it all I was reassured that I'm headed
in the right direction. Yet I was also reminded that this journey, like my
walking, wouldn't be perfect and there would be detours, deviations and
unplanned turns.
In our Old Testament lesson today we see Moses at
the end of his life's journey. We met Moses as a baby who was raised as a
prince of Egypt. Watched Moses find out his birthright and then run away after
killing an overseer. We saw Moses run into the desert, find refuge among the
tribe of Jethro in the land of Midian, and marry. We observed Moses as he
experienced the awesomeness of God in a burning bush and heard the words of God
charging him to help free the Israelites, "let my people go". We know
how Moses tried to get out of the job but God promised to be with him. We know
how he had to be the instrument of The Lord to bring plagues to Egypt. We know
how pharaoh finally relented and the people had to leave quickly with whatever
they could carry. And then we saw pharaoh change his mind and chase after these
people. We know God sent a strong wind to part the Red Sea and that Pharaohs
army was drowned. And yet after all of this, THIS is where the journey truly
began.
For the next forty years Moses led the people of
Israel to the Promised Land. Moses acted as mediator between the people of God
trying to keep everyone happy. He never thought of himself as a leader, never
wanted to be a leader. Moses was only on this crazy journey because God called
him to go. Yet Moses seemed to be the only one not questioning the motives of
God. Moses had unfailing trust in the God who had led them thus far.
Like Moses and the Israelites we are continually
striving towards Promised Land. Promised Land is not necessarily a plot of
earth but it’s an ideal, a goal, a dream we have for self. If you pick a
profession there are certain steps you take and sometimes you are so focused on
that goal and doing any and everything to get there. But like the Israelites we
so easily forget to savor the journey, we're more interested in the bigger and
better. It’s easy to look past the moment to the goal or even not to look
anywhere because it’s too overwhelming. Friends, we all started as Moses of his
youth, telling God we aren't ready, we can’t do this, there’s no way anyone
will listen to our story, our advice. Yet God stands there ready to walk with
us, with steadfast love for us.
In our New Testament we are reminded by Jesus that
love is the greatest commandment. The Pharisees ask what the greatest law is
and friends I believe what they are really asking is “what does it take to live
as a person of faith?” This is a question we each ask today. To live as a
person of faith requires love. This love we are called and commanded to does
not mean a cookie-cutter type of love. It doesn’t mean writing love letters,
exchanging gifts or celebrating superficial days. Rather we are called to each
balance our identities as we learn to and continue to love God, neighbor and
self. But friends this love is a process and also a daily challenge. A
challenge to model Jesus in action, not just words. Do we challenge each other
to model Jesus, where we love ALL our neighbors?
How appropriate is our theme for stewardship this
year; “What Love Can do”. Personally I
have been blessed each week by our commitment minute, and last week especially
by the witnesses shared by our laity. During each of these moments I have been
reminded that love is part of the journey we call life. The stories shared have
all mentioned a reason why, a person who, a moment when love was a part of the
agenda. These stories have shaped the journeys we walk, the lives we live and
the people we are. If life is a journey it doesn't have to be a grueling trip.
It can be an adventure.
So beloved-what can love do? The love of God for his
people caused them to be freed and provided for amidst their groaning’s. The
love of Moses for his people caused him to continually intercede between them
and God. The love of Moses for God caused him to maintain hope when things
seemed hopeless. The love of Jesus to those who despised him and caused him
pained challenged them to do better. As cliché as it sounds love can change the
world!
We need to strive for excellence- not perfection!
This excellence calls us to hold one another accountable, to be intentional in
our relationships with friends and strangers, to love those who seem unlovable.
These things make up our journey of
faith. When we truly and freely give love we are opening ourselves to a life
full of excitement, unexpected opportunities and adventure!
So like my travel to Boston I am preparing for this
journey. I have a map and a general idea of where I’m going but my goodness I
am ready for an adventure too.
It’s amazing what love can do, isn’t it?!?
