|
|
United Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Weekly Sermon |
|
Oct 11 – Pastor out-of-town |
“Investing in Our
Future” November 8 Whenever
I look back to the past I can’t help but think of all the people who made an
investment in my future. I mean, there
are all of the usual people one would think of such as parents, grandparents,
teachers, and the like. But as I look
back on life I can see how the unlikely people made a difference in my life.
Sometimes their investment was clearly recognizable; like the gift of
birthday money that was set aside for my college education. But there were those other gifts, though
small, that made a lasting difference in my life. Like the Lifesaver candies that Reverend
VanAndle gave to us kids at the end of church. His example taught me how to be kind to
children. My babysitter would give me
silver dollars. Her investment in me
taught me how to save. Reverend John
Freeman took time to share with me the meaning behind the Book of
Revelation. From that time on I could
share the Bible in a way that brought hope to others. In
my hand is a devotion and prayer book.
It was given to me by pastors Larry Warren and his wife, Pastor Bonnie
Chandler-Warren, twelve years ago.
This book has been my constant companion. It travels with me wherever I go: China, Korea, Mexico, and the
Philippines. It is the first thing I
reach for every morning and I read it once again in the afternoon. It has done more to form me, change me, and
mold me toward a life of Christ than anything I have ever owned, or anyone
that I have met. Little did they know
that this small investment in my faith life would have such a profound
impact. These prayers and writings of
Christians long ago still nurture me to this day. Their written investment in the lives of
fellow believers has continued on throughout the centuries. I continue my pastor’s example whenever I
come across someone whose heart is on fire for God, I give him, or her, a
copy. It is my way to continue and
share the investment that was made in me. Making
an investment in our future is at the heart of today’s message. We all have experienced a time in our lives
when someone known, or unknown, has given something to us. What types of investments have been made in
your lives? Who took the time to make a
difference in your life? I
was at a conference meeting yesterday.
Our District Superintendent Sharon Moe led the opening worship. In her message she shared about a recent
meeting she had attended. The meeting
was with Governor Christine Gregoire, and the representatives of faith
communities. The Governor shared with
the faith leaders the tightness of the state budget, and the strong
possibility of support programs being cut.
One of the programs that our superintendent believes will be cut is
the Franklin Pierce food program. The
Franklin Pierce food program ensures that every student is fed. That means that every child is able to
focus on class work instead of an empty stomach. It means that every child has the
opportunity to pass their class, and that means that every child has the
opportunity to graduate. It means that
every child has a better opportunity to get a job, and that means that every
child has a greater chance at starting their own business. With
all of that potential in the balance, it is the balance between success and
failure. Our district superintendent challenged
the churches to feed the children. She
challenged us to make a difference in their lives, so that they could make a
difference in our future. I encourage
you to think of ways where we might aid in this effort. Our
scripture reading this morning comes from the Book of Ruth. When I was looking over the selected
readings for this day I was seeking one that would fit with our current
stewardship emphasis. The Book of Ruth
stood out as the best reading to convey a long-term investment. However after reading the selected verses I
realized that they were more suited for an adult audience. The story taken in its proper context would
make a Puritan blush. The story is filled
with euphemisms, such as feet, which do not mean feet. And to “know”, which does not mean
knowledge. And “threshing floor”,
which was better known for its illicit activity. So
only the happily ever-after ending was read.
So I will quickly summarize the Book of Ruth so that you can have a
gist of what has been going on. {Naomi & husband move to (foreign land)
Moab because of famine, Good Jews don’t do this, husband dies, sons marry
Moabite girls, sons die, Naomi tells daughter-in-laws to return, Ruth
refuses, Naomi pleads, Ruth accompanies Naomi to Bethlehem, Jewish welfare,
Ruth finds favor with Boaz, the harvest comes to an end, Naomi instructs Ruth
to get gussied up, go to the threshing floor, wait until Boaz has eaten, lie
down, Boaz wakes up finds Ruth, praise Ruth for her choice, Boaz makes a
promise, gives Ruth grain as she departs at day break, Boaz goes to city
gate, calls over next of kin, calls over elders, Boaz offers, kin accepts
offer, Boaz clarifies, kin’s inheritance, people praise Boaz, refer to other
women who were faithful}. Then
we get to today’s happily ever-after scripture passage, and the last verses
tell of how Ruth’s child will be a blessing to Naomi, and how this child will
become the grandfather of King David. The
story of Ruth is about two women being loyal in the face of dire
circumstances. Through their loyalty,
God is able to bless them, and through their loyalty God is able to ensure
their future and ours. With the love
and faithfulness of Boaz they find happiness in their destitute lives. The conclusion of the story points forward
and not backward. Boaz and Ruth belong
not only to Israel’s past, but also to the future. Their lives become an investment in the
future which God intends for Israel.
Through their investment God is able to raise up a faithful
people. Through their investment God
is able to raise up a son named Jesus.
Through Jesus, God is able to raise up other people, including
us. We have a responsibility and a
call to raise up others in the faith.
We have a responsibility and a call to make an investment in this
faith community, where lives are touched and transformed, and where we can
find meaning in small acts and the big challenges in our lives. Even my own mother wants to make a
contribution to our church to help us through our difficulties. I don’t know how much that will be, but the
next time I see her she will have a check in hand. Each one of us can give something that will
make someone thankful. Let us continue
the blessing that we have already received. In
the Name, of God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit that
sustains our lives, Amen. Pastor
Golden Neal |
