We don’t know how the Kingdom is emerging, or where or when. But it is.
We participate in the Kingdom’s revelation like a small boat moving in front of a great wind on the waves of the sea. We don’t direct the wind, or know where the waves come from – but we are moved by them as they both move us in a new direction.
What we really are to do in all this is to be open to DISCERN what direction in this moment God is taking us, and to RESPOND or in our small way PARTICIPATE in the transformation.
Can you see the difference – if the burden of the work is laid upon us, then we are responsible for God’s plan. At best we will do God’s will imperfectly and feel our failure. At worst, we will discern God’s will imperfectly and make things worse rather than better.
The good news in this passage is that the remaking of Creation is something we can participate, but will happen with or without us.
(I’m reposting a sermon from three years ago. In the run up to General Convention which begins at the end of this week, I’ve simply run out of enough time to write a new sermon for this year. And, given that I’m going to be either traveling or in meetings for the next two weekends, it’s possible that I won’t be able to post anything here.
If that happens, do take a look at Andrew Gern’s site. I’m sure he’ll have something that is worth your time!)
You can view my sermon directly at this link.
