Living Stones

January 19, 2011

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

In the southern mountain region of Peru lies the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan empire. Tucked amid its winding stone streets and little villages is a building whose foundation has stood since the 14th century. It is known locally as Hatunrumiyoc, or “Big Stone.” A closer look at its walls reveals why.

Unlike modern buildings, none of the stones used for Incan structures used mortar or cement. Builders measured the spaces they needed to fill, then searched throughout their quarries for stones whose unique shapes and edges could fit those spaces. After some simple smoothing with primitive tools (no iron or steel), the stones were placed exactly into position, filling gaps only these blocks could fill, and pieced together with the other stones in perfect alignment. The most vivid example of this remarkable feat of ancient engineering is the famous “12-Sided Stone” of Cusco, pictured above.

As amazing as this Incan accomplishment might be, I would contend that Hatunrumiyoc is not the most marvelous architectural triumph in history. Another kind of building has been in construction for the past 2,000 years, remaining strong despite all manner of adversity and difficulty. Each stone has been carefully selected, smoothed, and placed, fulfilling its unique destiny. Here is the blueprint, from 1 Peter:

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Yep, here’s the kicker: you are one of those stones. You and I are “living stones,” a people chosen for the purpose of building the Kingdom of God. Deep within you is a unique collection of gifts to share in ministry, perspectives to share in small group community, and the means to reach out in love to the world. You have a unique network of relationships to draw others into faith in Christ, and you have distinct calling to serve in a specific place in ministry through this church. There is a gap that only you can fill, and you are a vital part of seeing God’s kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.

Madeline L’Engle, in her memoir Walking on Water: Reflections on Art and Faith, offers these words of challenge for anyone who feels like they have no sizeable contributions to make in the world:

“In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do his work, to bear his glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. if we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualification, then there’s no danger that we will confuse God’s work with our own, or God’s glory with our own.

“It is interesting to note how many artists have had physical problems to overcome, deformities, lameness, terrible loneliness. Could Beethoven have written that glorious paean of praise in the Ninth Symphony if he had not to endure the dark closing in of deafness? As I look through his work chronologically, there’s no denying that it deepens and strengthens along with the deafness.

“Could Milton have seen all that he sees in Paradise Lost if he had not been blind? It is chastening to realize that those who have no physical flaw, who move through life in step with their peers, who are bright and beautiful, seldom become artists. The unending paradox is that we do learn through pain."

You may feel too fractured to be fruitful, with too much pain to be productive. Your life may feel like a scattered mess, without much hope for value or worth. But lest you think that you have no role to play in the building of the kingdom, and even if you can’t imagine how you could possibly make a difference, remember this: your baptism gives you all the qualifications you need. You need not be a veteran of the faith to begin using your talents, passions, and skills to make an impact today. The waters of God’s grace call you and qualify you to fill your special niche in the grandest building project ever known: the transformation of human hearts and the restoration of God’s created order.

We’ll learn more about the power of baptism on Sunday, as we continue our sermon series “Living Your Baptism” with a sermon titled, “Qualified to Serve.” Come be inspired to give of yourself and make a difference in the world.

Grace and Peace,

Magrey



ST. PAUL’S MEETS 2010 BUDGET
After all final tallies, receipts, and adjustments, we enter 2011 having paid all of last year’s expenses. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and generosity over the past year!

MAGREY IN FLORIDA
Magrey will be leaving after church this Sunday to serve a week on the Florida Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. He will be interviewing and evaluating candidates for ministry, and will be back on Saturday, January 29. In the event of an emergency, please contact the church office.