Further reflections on "Seeking Beyond Our Grasp"

In this week’s sermon, we were invited to be grace-filled as we examine our idolatries and the idolatries of others. From the Acts 17 scripture, it seems that we are asked to take a deeper look at what those idols might reveal about what we were seeking in the first place. Furthermore, pausing to understand that underlying yearning for something bigger than ourselves will also point to the way in which God formed us and made us in such a way that seeking is part of our being. Nevertheless, as I wrote this sermon, there was an issue that was left unarticulated. That was the matter of an all or nothing mentality.

The invitation to a graceful attitude with ourselves and others is in many ways a calling toward journey rather than destination. In the journey, many concerns we encounter can neither be completely understood nor can they be fully solved. However, we live in a culture that tells us that we must fix ourselves, solve problems, and ally ourselves fully with causes… “you’re either with us or against us.”

But much like Luke’s telling of Paul’s encounter in Acts 17 where understanding wins out over shame and guilt, our lives too are rarely made better by the shame and guilt wrought by such a limited posturing. Rather than shaming someone for not yet recycling at home, what would it be like to honor them for recycling while they are at work? Instead of guilting ourselves over participating in unsustainable eating practices, what if we respected the worthy step of eating meat only 5 days a week instead of 7? And in a world of pass/fail schools, what if we celebrated small steps and even intangibles in students and teachers lives?

It is my deepest belief, both theologically and psychologically, that we would be healthier people, a stronger culture, and a more justice filled society if we started by honoring the little steps rather than shaming ourselves and others for what we have not yet accomplished. We would likely be encouraged to take more little steps rather than giving up entirely. And most importantly, I believe that such a way of life is closer to God’s will that we be active partners in the building up of creation.

My hope is that we learn and grow from the times we stumble so that our future steps are more steady. My prayer each day is for sustaining strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other and to honor each and every step along the way.

“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.” ~ unknown