xmlns:og='http://ogp.me/ns#' The Mid-Week Message: It Works Both Ways

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

It Works Both Ways

May 27, 2008

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

In her book
Listening for God:  A Minister’s Journey Through Silence and Doubt, noted Old Testament scholar and ordained minister Renita Weems chronicles a period of spiritual dryness and disenchantment that shattered her relationship with God.  

With candor and courage, she shares a story common to even the most seasoned and respected Christians.  As I read her account, I was particularly struck by her chapter called “Fidelity,” in which she talks about maintaining her spiritual practices, even through the most difficult moments of her struggle:

Odd, isn’t it?  The routines that make the least sense when we are adrift prove to be the very things that keep us anchored and facing in the right direction.  I was never tempted to leave the ministry when I felt adrift, but there were many times I dreaded the duties and rituals that make up a large part of my ministry.  I prayed over the sick, held babies up to be blessed, and arranged flowers on the altar – and stood outside myself, watching myself perform these tasks, which were by then almost second nature, scowling and shaking my head at times, wondering what in the world was the sense of doing any of this.  Nevertheless, I never gave any thought to walking away.  This is my life, I reminded myself frequently; I don’t know any other way to live.  It sounds like a coward’s comment.  And perhaps it was and is.  Change unnerves me as much as the next person.  If I had my way I would change only the things I want to change, and leave unchanged the things that suit me just fine.  But labeling my failure to walk away from the church and ministry as fear is to miss the point.  Attending church, preaching, officiating at the Communion table, and baptizing babies were precisely the things I had to do until belief returned.

It’s that last line that caught my attention.  We often think that only belief begets behavior, and never the other way around.  We think:  

  • If I don’t believe in the power of prayer, then I am unable to pray.  
  • If I have doubts about God existence, then I don’t have to read God’s words in scripture.  
  • If I believe that others have no business meddling in my religious affairs, then I don’t need to trust others and include them in my faith journey.

While belief can shape behavior, the inverse can also be true.  There are moments when the breath of God’s inspiration fills our lungs only when we practice the inhale and exhale of regular prayer and devotion.  If we alter the pattern, or stop breathing altogether, we are more prone to fainting.

But practicing the faith, even when we don’t believe it, ensures that we will be ready when God is, at whatever moment God wants to spark a new insight or call us to a new reality.  

Later in the chapter, Dr. Weems reminds the reader of Flannery O’Connor, the noted American novelist.  She maintained a disciplined routine every morning, careful to “make her way to her desk whether she knew what she was going to write about or not.  She stationed herself predictably at her desk in front of her typewriter faithfully every morning in case an idea came to her mind.”


THE “METHOD” IN METHODIST

This Sunday, we continue our journey through the heritage, doctrine, and practices of the United Methodist Church with an important sermon on John Wesley’s spiritual disciplines.  We will discover that even Wesley was not immune from periods of spiritual struggle in his life, and from his experience he developed a regular, “methodical” pattern of prayer, Bible study, worship, fasting, and service to others.  

Naturally, this Sunday’s sermon on spiritual practices will also include a practicum.  You will be invited to join me in a thirty-day journey using Wesley’s daily devotional pattern as a prescription for our own spiritual practices.  We are calling it
“A Month of Living Wesleyan,” and it will include a special guidebook we have produced in-house to guide us individually and in small groups for these next several summer weeks.  You’ll want to come and find out more this Sunday.


ANCHORED AND DISCIPLINED

We should remember that the keeping of spiritual practices is not so much about extracting their immediate benefits, like a “runner’s high” or a “sugar rush.”  It’s less about selfish gain and more about fidelity to God.  It reminds us that we are not our own, even when we have trouble believing there is anyone else out there.  Surely and steadily, we have a revitalized relationship with a God who has been there all along.  

At the end of the chapter, Dr. Weems writes:  

The inclination to walk away, give up, stop praying, stop believing, curse the winter, and withdraw cannot be denied.  But I haven’t, so far.  I have chosen to dig my heels in and stick with my routine until the mystery returns.  Bless the babies.  Bury the dead.  Pour the wine.  Break the bread.  Say the benediction.  I have become grateful for these daily acts of fidelity, which serve to keep me anchored and disciplined.

Growing with you in grace,

Magrey    


James 2:14-26
14  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?
15  If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food,
16  and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?
17  So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18  But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
19  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.
20  Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren?
21  Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22  You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works.
23  Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God.
24  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25  Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26  For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.


"The Meaning of Methodist" 


A Five-Part Series exploring the heritage, belief, and practice of the United Methodist Church


June 1
“One Who Practices Daily”
(United Methodist Disciplines)
James 2:14-26


June 8
“One Who Connects With Others”
(The United Methodist Church)
Exodus 18:13-27


June 15
“One Who Impacts the World”
(United Methodist Mission)
2 Corinthians 5:11-21


VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION
VBS is coming!  Now is the time to register your child for what will be an exciting, fun-filled adventure.  The theme is “Power Lab!” and is for kids grades pre-K through sixth grade.  It takes place from 8:30am-12:30pm June 9-13.  Cost is $5.00 per person.  To register, contact Carmen Teoli or the church office.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
As a reminder, Sunday worship moves to 9:30am starting this Sunday, June 1.  Also, if you are interested in helping with the summer Fellowship Coffees, please call Betty Point.  Three couples are needed for each Sunday to bring three dozen bars or cookies. 

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