Thank you all for such a warm welcome and exciting first Sunday in worship with you.
Our study of Luke 7:11-17 and supporting texts explored the intrusive and radical nature of God and the difference that it makes. God can and will show up uninvited and get involved. No one asked Jesus to come and help the widow of Nain out of her desperate situation. Jesus stopped the funeral and touched the bier – resuscitation and resurrection! Such is the intrusiveness and unpredictability of the grace and love of God.
There are other times where God shows up unannounced and uninvited to bring about change. Paul, the Pharisee formerly known as Saul, found that out! God changed him from persecutor to promulgator of the Gospel.
And in 1 Kings, like the widow of Zaraphath, we can ask (or even demand) God to show up. And he does though in a totally unexpected way. God was in Elijah, whom she had been hiding from Ahab and Jezebel and had been feeding with her meager oil and flour.
These are but a few God-sightings that are in the Bible. These are times when God showed up in an unexpected way, barged right in or made an incredible and improbably change. God is active in our lives and with us every day, loving and working in, with and through us.
“God sightings are moments when you undisputedly know that God is reaching out to you with a message, gesture, instruction or reassurance.” (Mark Daniels, mid-west Lutheran pastor)
At the conclusion of the sermon, I challenged listeners this week to seek out one “God sighting,” think about what difference it made to you or someone else and to tell someone.
So, how’s it going? Seen God yet? Told someone about it? If you haven’t you’re not alone – this isn’t easy. And know that God was, is and will be always here.
It’s important that we practice this vital skill. It is through sharing what God has done, is doing and will do for us that someone may come to know that God is in fact not dead but active and loose in the world. Part of our mission statement is “Grow in Faith.” We grow in our faith when we share our faith. AND one of the top four goals of Holy Trinity is for people to form meaningful relationships. This is a good place to start – by sharing your faith.
Now, a word about faith – it’s an up and down way of life. If we try to measure or assess, sometimes we’re on the top of the world and other times we are down in the valley. There might be days when you feel that all faith has abandoned you. That’s OK! God shows up anyway!
So, if you are really uncomfortable – start small. Share with someone that you trust. If you’re ready for the next step, look for God to open up the door to share your God sighting. He does. Remember, YOU might be the God sighting that someone else is looking for. YOU might be the one through whom God shows up uninvited.
If you need someone to “bounce” off of, you can always email me pastor@holytrinityleesburg.org, text/call 757 615 5752 or friend me on Facebook and IM with me.
Thank you all again for a great first week and a great beginning to our summer journey together!
God’s peace and blessings!
P. Heidi