Between Intention and Action
For many reasons I feel that I need our congregation and my church small groups now more than ever. Is it the weekly church service and reflections by Marylee and support from our pastoral care team? Is it creating with the incredible members of the children’s council and telling the Godly Play stories to the youth? Is it the relationships with my prayer friends as we read for self-discovery and pray for our community and world? Is it working with the thrift shop team to offer needed personal and household items at low prices?
I have to say it is a resounding YES to needing all of this! Maybe there are some things you could list related to our church that help keep your intention to follow Jesus. But, moving from intention to action is where, as Marylee says, “You put skin in the game.”
When Jesus gathered his disciples, he said you must leave without saying goodbye. You must let go of all that tethers you to the past to embrace the kin-dom of God. Some of my actions come from my intention to follow Jesus. But not all, I’m just not sure what it might be. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde preached, “The message throughout the scripture is that whenever God or life itself issues the summons, it’s normal to feel both unworthy and unprepared, but it doesn’t matter. We are to step into the gap between our current capacity and what’s needed anyway.”
I’m looking for the gaps and for God to guide me.
Prayer: Creator, With Jesus’ death, you have called us to be the body of Christ. We pray you will guide us to do what is right, just and loving. We belong to You, we are beloved in Your sight and our souls delight in Your love. Amen
Pat Parker