Pressing Toward the Goal

I do not consider that I have made it my own;

but this one thing I do:

forgetting what lies behind and

straining forward to what lies ahead,

I press on toward the goal for the prize

of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

(from Philippians 3:7-14)

Each Summer Elaine and I would load our car with food, outdoor gear and stuff and head to Southwest Harbor, ME. for a seaside, spiritual retreat.

Sometimes we traveled scenic Route 2 through New Hampshire and Maine, other times Interstates 84, 495 and 95. 

Each Route provided vistas of hills and valleys as well as urban buildings and traffic.

Yet there was an "are we there yet?" sense to the journey.

As a Pastor, Elaine and I had been on the move for many years knowing there would be another move to another church, so there really wasn't a sense of having arrived or finally getting there.

The Apostle Paul describes his relationship with Christ as one of being "on the move" writing, "I press on toward the goal."

This is an "are we there yet?" as he presses on, moving from his accomplishments to the goal he wishes to obtain.

John Wesley would call this "going on to perfection" striving for the goal of "the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus".

Being on a journey is a major theme in the Scriptures and a description of our lives which includes vistas and urban traffic on our way to "perfection".

Knowing Christ is pressing toward our heavenly call realizing that no one has arrived yet, everyone is on a journey going on to perfection.

Think about it: what have been the vistas or urban traffic in your pressing toward perfection?

Learning God's Ways

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

(from Psalm 25:1-9)

A Certified Lay Speaker in my first appointment wanted to preach, so together we designed a worship service.

The Lay Speaker said, "I'll do the Pastoiral Prayer."

I replied, "Actually, it's pronounced "pastoral", there's no "i" in the word.

"No", the Lay Speaker said with certainty, "it's Pastoiral. 

It quickly became apparent this wasn't a teachable moment because the Lay Speaker was insisting on "pastoiral" 

Jesus faces something like this going into the temple and begining to teach.

The priests and chief elders want to know Jesus' source and authority to teach, and who gave Jesus permission.

Jesus answers: "the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” 

Why this answer? Because these sinners experienced a teachable moment by believing John’s testimony about Jesus.

It seems to me God teaches us humility, trust and joy beginning in verse 1 “To you, Oh Lord, I lift up my soul."

As In Jesus' day when people worshipped, they lifted their hands to receive God's blessings which included instruction, learning "God's ways", and trust "you are the God of my salvation."

Yes, the psalm composer, like us, wants teachable moments and trusting God, but that includes the desire to be with God, to "walk God's ways".

What good does it do to learn God's ways and then not walk in them?

Walking in God's ways, though, is two-way communication as the author listens to God but boldly tells God "not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions".

This is amazing, teachable moments come when we realize, in times of trouble, that God is with us and we walk together. 

Think about it, when have you been changed by a teachable moment provided by God?

How Many Times Jesus?

Then Peter came and said to him, 

“Lord, if another member of the church sins against me,

 how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”

 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but,

 I tell you, seventy-seven times. 

From Matthew 18:21-35 

Twenty two years have passed since I watched the destruction of the Twin Towers and attempt of the Pentagon. 

Instantly, the world and everything i knew was different and the world as was changed forever.

September 11, 2001, feels like a lifetime ago.

A calamity like that provides a major historical divider, but it's impossible to understand and use in my daily life.

So, I find other opportunities to use as markers othat are evidence of God's sustaining grace my daily life. 

Peter’s question here is one that may cause us to look in two directions.

One direction is looking back at 9/11 trying to understand it and grieve the destruction and violence. 

The other is looking forward by celebrating the courageous actions of mercy from first responders and the solidarity 9/11 created within us.

The choice to move forward is based on hope, possibility and the grace of God. 

Forgiveness is about lifting a burden, releasing a debt, refusing to allow the past to define the future.

 This is the lesson Jesus is teaching when Peter asks how many times to forgive before starting the biblical process, seven?

Jesus answer, 70 times 7, means always, which is the point of the parable.

How do we do that?

I my conviction is that God,  through Jesus, takes our  brokenness and suffering giving it a future that is, finally, good.

I amalso convinced that God is relentlessly working to bring redemption and healing even from the most difficult of circumstances whether globally, nationally or personally. 

God's Generosity

"Am I not allowed to do what I choose

with what belongs to me?

Or are you envious because I am generous?’

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

From Matthew 20:1-16

By way of explanation, last Monday I ran into unexpected technical issues while trying to send "Reflections" from my phone. 

Basically, Maine isn't necessarily the hub of hi-tech communications and I'm a novice at sending group emails from my phone.

Thus when this sentence started my research, "Describe in a word or two what you think is the meaning of parable of the laborers in the vineyard about," I learned Jesus was teaching about the 9th commandment, thou shall not covet.

Meaning, don't covet what God chooses to bless.

For example, God chose to give Elaine and I the blessings of the scenes below. Notice the ships, lighthouse, pond.

pond w.mountains

Scenic Harbor

 Lighthouse view on boat ride

 After 5 days of fog views, we would have preferred different blessings.

I am certain God blessed others with magnificent views of the harbor, lighthouse, and pond.

Should I complain to God, the response would be: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose

with what belongs to me"

In other words, God gives blessings equally, look for and appreciate the blessings you have been given.