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Rev. Roger's Reflections April 5, 2008 |
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Written by Rev. Roger Skelley-Watts, Huron United Methodist Church
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Saturday, 05 April 2008 |
Now what?
Our 24-year-old daughter, Kathryn, just returned from two months in Costa Rica. She worked on an organic farm, lived in a tree house, was awakened by "monkey alarm clocks" in the morning, met host families, taught English and art while learning some Spanish.
Now what? She is brimming over with tales of exotic experiences. But what does she do with all of this? How does she apply her new knowledge to 2008 USA? Plus (her parents tell her), she does need a real job in order to pay her real bills.
The disciples of Jesus faced a similar dilemma. They had just lived through a most harrowing experience - a whirlwind three years of constant travel, not knowing where the next meal would appear, sleeping in different places, under care of "host families," teaching and being taught, in dangerous and unfamiliar situations; violence, witnessing miracles all the way from healing to real raising of the dead.
But now what? Jesus is appearing to them now and then, but they must decide what to do next with all of this information rattling around in their brains and souls.
There is only a loose band of followers. No churches, no ascension of Jesus into heaven yet, no Pentecost appearance of the Holy Spirit.
Some of them probably went back to work, just to pay their bills. But most of the world was clueless as to what they had just seen.
So they waited. They worshiped. They talked with one another. They prayed. They networked. They waited some more.
Does that feel familiar? Here we are in April with Easter already celebrated and summer two months away. Historically, Easter can only ever be one day earlier and has not been this early in 95 years. We've been through a historic snowstorm that even cancelled church services.
So we wait. Is that so bad? In our hectic lives, jammed with too many activities, what's wrong with waiting?
Listen to the rhythm of your own soul. Ask those around you about their aspirations, hopes and dreams. Do some "random acts of kindness" for someone. Care for a child, older person or someone ill or disabled. Adopt an abandoned pet. Wait upon the Lord. Watch the birds feed and build nests. Look at eagles soar overhead.
So often, we feel lazy or unproductive when we wait upon the Lord. But this is maybe the most productive time we can spend. Like a paddling duck, we may appear calm on the surface, but there's a lot of churning water going on underneath.
And eventually, that paddling will produce progress toward the goal that God has in mind for your life.
This is an historic, rare opportunity to relax our spirits and sink roots deep into the rich nourishing soil of God's word, prayer, study, reflection, meditation, conversation and companionship. Results could be a life-giving force so profound that resurrection would be the only possible descriptive word.
"...but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NRSV)
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