Bearing One Another's Burdens

    Why would we take time to bear one another burdens? Why do we become vulnerable in times of need so we can seek others to help us? Because bearing one another's burdens is about restoration. Re-setting and being put back together. When Paul writes in this week's scripture lesson (Gal 6:1-10) about bearing one another's burdens he talks about the law of Christ. The law of Christ doesn't weigh us down with obligations or more burdens. It doesn't seek to destroy us. It seeks to restore us. And that is how we are bear one another as the church. In times of need we are to seek out such restoration, and when we see a brother or sister struggling it should be our natural response to help restore them to fullness of life. What struggles do you have around the idea of bearing one another's burdens?

Freedom in Christ

Over the years there are well meaning folks who have tried to follow the Biblical law to a ’T’ - chiefly AJ Jacobs and Rachel Held Evans who both wrote books about their experiences. I cannot help but recall these books as they clearly bring into view that we cannot save ourselves. Even those of us who are perfectionists and love rules, fail. Miserably. But there is still hope for us - for we have freedom from having to be perfect because of Christ’s perfect sacrifice.

    Now, that doesn’t mean that we abuse our freedom by freely sinning. Instead, it means we are blessed with the gift to conquer sin. There is a big difference, but one that we rarely ever take time to distinguish, so we just avoid it instead, by trying to be perfect. But legalism will always fail, because it is impossible to be perfect on our own. 

How are you spiritually free because of Christ? 

"The Word of God”

   Saying that anything is the word of God tends to get our suspicions to rise. For some reason, we lack the ability to discern how the decisions or what we call the word and will of God relates to the Word, the Bible.
  One of the tools that makes us distinctly United Methodist is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral - which examines the choices we make through four lenses - Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Scripture is primary - meaning its of the most importance, but we need all four aspects working in tandem to get a complete picture.
   The Galatians were faced with a dilemma. Paul told them that they were saved by grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone, then came along another group after he had departed on another mission that told them that actually faith in Christ wasn't enough - they needed now to follow a set of rules. Rules that Paul had never mentioned. So suspicions and doubts started to arise - where these new people wrong? Or had Paul lead them astray? They didn't necessarily take the time to examine what they were being told through Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience and just took it at face value - which caused a lot of problems.
   How do you make major decisions? How could the Quadrilateral aid you?

"Following the Call"

    Pastor's are asked again and again to share their call stories. It is part of the ordination process. It is part of our introduction to new appointments. It is part of our identity. There are times I wish my call story would be more glamorous - with bells, whistles, and flashing lights, but in truth it is simple.

I grew up attending church every chance I got. If the doors were open I was there. Yet, as much as I loved the Church, I never considered being a pastor as a child or youth - I wanted to be a doctor. While in college, at the prompting of my pastor, I attended one of the God’s Call events held by the annual conference. While there, I felt a nudge to some type of ministry, but I couldn’t quite define what it may be. When I returned to the event the second year, I felt I was called to preach the word of God, but was still unclear on if I was called to full-time ministry. 

By my junior year in college I had abandoned the thought of becoming a doctor and was looking into Universities to pursue a doctorate degree in psychology. While at one particular school, in the dissertation room, I became distinctly aware of the fact that I had been avoiding my true calling to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. At that point, I started to apply to seminaries and have never looked back. 

I love being a pastor because it gives me the opportunity to raise up disciples to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I believe that the world is in need of grace, hope, and restoration, that can only be found through Christ’s Church. I believe as disciples we are called to love God with our whole hearts and serve God with our hands. 

  But as simple as my story may be, it took me years of running to listen to God's voice. I wanted to anything but be a pastor. And I still wrestle with call from time to time - the call to respond to God instead of seeking to please people. Or the call to live into who God created me to be - a healer of people hurt by the church and a builder of transformative disciples who are passionate for Christ. Because the call of God is hard. But the call of God also never give up on us - beckoning us to respond. 

   We are all called. Some to be pastors. Others to be teachers. Others to sing in the choir or teach youth group. All are called to go out and serve the world by being the hands and feet of Christ in very specific ways that God created us for. What are you called to do? How can the local church support you in your call?