What are we to be about?

Week of November 20, 2011: Boldly Shaping Partners of God for the Transformation of the World

Theme/Title:   "What are we to be about?"

Scripture:  Matthew 25: 31-40; Acts 1: 6-8 and Revelation 21: 1-5a 

Media:   

 YouTube video – USA for Africa – We Are the World (Official Video) by USAforAfricaVEVO

Reflection:

It’s time for you to make a choice.  We’ve been exploring Biblical values, looking at why a mission is important, traveling through the various meanings and possible implications of a mission to boldly shape partners of God for the transformation of the world and we have arrived at the moment of truth.  Do you agree with this mission?  Will you adopt it as your own and do all you can to accomplish it?

I cannot be clearer about what it is I hear God calling us to be and do.  I cannot write, speak, or share anything new about this mission.  I firmly and wholehearted believe that God is calling me and this church and the church to this mission.  I believe that in order for the world to address its problems and resolve its issues faithful people must embark upon this mission.  We cannot wait until tomorrow.  We cannot pause and want to study it more.  We cannot withhold our efforts, our resources and yourselves any longer.  The world needs us now, right now.

It’s time to step up and claim your place in God’s universe.  We cannot wait for someone else to step forward.  If we delay we risk waiting too long and the results will be disastrous.  I have faith that somehow things will work out but they cannot if people of faith will not do what we can to make the world over into what God has intended it to be. 

Meditation & Prayer:  What do you think is the mission God has for you, for our church and for the church? Meditate on all that has been written, said and shared over the last nine weeks.  What comes from all this?  Reflect on and pray the words to the song “From a Distance” written by Julie Gold and best known I think as sung by Bette Midler:

From a distance
The world looks blue and green
And the snow capped mountains white
From a distance
The ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight

From a distance
There is harmony
And it echoes through the land
Its the voice of hope
Its the voice of peace
Its the voice of every man

From a distance
We all have enough
And no one is in need
And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease
No hungry mouths to feed
From a Distance
We are instruments
Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope
Playing songs of peace
They are the songs of every man

God is watching us
God is watching us
God is watching us
From a distance

From a distance
You look like my friend
Even though we are at war
From a distance
I just cannot comprehend
What all this fighting is for
From a distance
There is harmony
And it echoes through the land
And its the hope of hopes
Its the love of loves
Its the heart of every man