19 min
1/12/2020 Faith in the Dark Sermon Series – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 FCCBG Sermons
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- Kristendom
Rev. Megan Huston — Faith in the Dark
I have decided to stand with love. Hate is too great a burden to bare.
-Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior
This week I was invited to offer the invocation at the celebration of Dr. King in Bowling Green later this month, so I have been thinking a lot about his legacy.
I have mixed feelings about MLK Day celebrations if I am honest. On one hand, I love the ways it can bring a community together. I’ve heard some incredible and inspiring speakers, musicians and community leaders at our local celebrations.
But at times I also find myself frustrated. Because I believe it is a grave injustice and the picture of hypocrisy for leaders to lift up the name of Dr. King while ignoring the values he represented. Dr. King was not only anti racist, he was for a living wage, and against violence of any kind.
But Dr. King was not just against injustice, violence and poverty wages. He was for a radical love that meant putting one’s body on the line to promote the dignity and equality of all people.
We often fall into the trap of defining ourselves by what we are not, but I believe times such as these call us to decide what we are for.
As people of faith and followers of Jesus, we are for peace: not a squishy peace that is sweet and nice. But peace on earth, peace of mind that makes us thoughtful and considerate of others, peace among our enemies and our friends.
As Christians we are called to the business of loving our neighbor: our sick neighbor, our lonely neighbor, our depressed neighbor, our neighbor who we cannot find a thing with which we have in common.
As believers we are called to worship God with all our hearts, minds and strength. Not just when things are good, but in the dark, when we are in exile and God feels miles away. Prayer I believe to be like exercise. You just keep doing it and then it becomes a part of your muscle memory and your greater spiritual health.
And finally- I believe that our faith calls us to a deep and abiding joy. I don’t mean you have to pretend to be happy when you are not. But I think we should tell ourselves over and over that Jesus said, “I came so that you may live and live abundantly.” If you are feeling down in the dumps, there are a few things you can try to lift your mood. Take a walk outside, eat some raspberries, put on some lavender essential oil, call a friend, or reach out to a professional if you feel like you need some additional help.
As Disciples of Christ, we don’t have a creed, so you may or may not be for these same things. If you don’t like my list- great! Make a list of your own that defines what you are for, as a person of faith.
I look forward to exploring the darkness together on Sunday, as we look to the stars with Abram and consider faith and doubt.
Peace,
Megan
Rev. Megan Huston — Faith in the Dark
I have decided to stand with love. Hate is too great a burden to bare.
-Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior
This week I was invited to offer the invocation at the celebration of Dr. King in Bowling Green later this month, so I have been thinking a lot about his legacy.
I have mixed feelings about MLK Day celebrations if I am honest. On one hand, I love the ways it can bring a community together. I’ve heard some incredible and inspiring speakers, musicians and community leaders at our local celebrations.
But at times I also find myself frustrated. Because I believe it is a grave injustice and the picture of hypocrisy for leaders to lift up the name of Dr. King while ignoring the values he represented. Dr. King was not only anti racist, he was for a living wage, and against violence of any kind.
But Dr. King was not just against injustice, violence and poverty wages. He was for a radical love that meant putting one’s body on the line to promote the dignity and equality of all people.
We often fall into the trap of defining ourselves by what we are not, but I believe times such as these call us to decide what we are for.
As people of faith and followers of Jesus, we are for peace: not a squishy peace that is sweet and nice. But peace on earth, peace of mind that makes us thoughtful and considerate of others, peace among our enemies and our friends.
As Christians we are called to the business of loving our neighbor: our sick neighbor, our lonely neighbor, our depressed neighbor, our neighbor who we cannot find a thing with which we have in common.
As believers we are called to worship God with all our hearts, minds and strength. Not just when things are good, but in the dark, when we are in exile and God feels miles away. Prayer I believe to be like exercise. You just keep doing it and then it becomes a part of your muscle memory and your greater spiritual health.
And finally- I believe that our faith calls us to a deep and abiding joy. I don’t mean you have to pretend to be happy when you are not. But I think we should tell ourselves over and over that Jesus said, “I came so that you may live and live abundantly.” If you are feeling down in the dumps, there are a few things you can try to lift your mood. Take a walk outside, eat some raspberries, put on some lavender essential oil, call a friend, or reach out to a professional if you feel like you need some additional help.
As Disciples of Christ, we don’t have a creed, so you may or may not be for these same things. If you don’t like my list- great! Make a list of your own that defines what you are for, as a person of faith.
I look forward to exploring the darkness together on Sunday, as we look to the stars with Abram and consider faith and doubt.
Peace,
Megan
19 min