4 Important Lessons

Just this past week I have officially begun my research for my doctor of ministry thesis project.  As I have been reflecting on this I realized that in my thirty-three years of life I have spent all but eight of them in school. Spending that much time in class rooms will give one plenty of opportunities to learn some really cool stuff.

I have learned a lot of wonderful things in seminary. But not every lesson in life is learned in a class room. There are very important lessons that cannot be taught, they must be experienced. These are things like: Lesson number one, when you are reading a lesson on Sunday morning and you are unsure of how to pronounce a word, say it with confidence, and then everyone else will go, “oh. That’s how you say that word.” Lesson number two, when you read the same word twice in one reading make sure you pronounce the word the same way both times, otherwise lesson one does not work. Lesson number three, any event in a Lutheran church will not actually begin until fifteen minutes after the advertized start time. And finally, you don’t mess with the LWML.

Today is LWML Sunday, and not just because I don’t want to mess with the LWML. Actually, I’m sure that if you were to ask any of these wonderful ladies they would tell you, “Even though this is called LWML Sunday, it is not about us or what we do. It’s all about Jesus. It’s all about living life with him.” And you can see this in the theme for today. Being with Jesus – living on the edge.

Now maybe those are not necessarily two phrases that you would think right away about associating with one another. Being with Jesus and Living on the edge. After all we live in a place where we are free and safe to worship as we chose. The greatest dangers we face on a Sunday morning are having the heat go out in the winter or the air go out in the summer. Being with Jesus seems to be quite safe. Living on the edge is something that people do when they want a rush of adrenaline. It’s what they do when they stare danger right in the face and say, “You will not win the day.” You know they do things like bungee jumping, sky diving, running into lake Huron in December, or mixing in a scoop of regular coffee grounds in with your decaf.

But is living on the edge the kind of thing that we really associate with being with Jesus? I would guess to say most people don’t. We grow quite comfortable in the routines of our lives. Week in and week out it is pretty much the same thing. We get up. We go to work or school. We spend time with family and friends. We attend our extracurricular activities. On Sundays we worship. There is maybe some bible study, prayer time, devotional reading. It is part of our lives that is very important to us. It is very comforting and encouraging. We couldn’t imagine life without it. And yet, have you ever put on a safety harness on your way to worship? Have you ever need head gear or protection before a bible study? Have you ever had to dawn a parachute before your devotions? Probably not.

Maybe we are being too narrow in our definitions and understandings of things here. Maybe we need to broaden the understanding of both of our phrases here, so that as we talk about being with Jesus we understand that that includes more than worship once a week. And also so that we understand that living on the edge isn’t limited to only those things which get your adrenalin going.

After all, to talk about being with Jesus is really talking about something that is a reality in our lives in every area and moment of our lives. We are never at a point when we are without Jesus. There is never a time when we are away from him or separated from him. There is never a moment in our lives where Jesus is not present. As much as we can talk about being with Jesus, we can even more so talk about Jesus being with us. And this is the promise that he makes to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, and also to us as well. “I am with you always. Even to the end of the age.”

Jesus has gone through great lengths to be with us. He did not go through these lengths so that we would feel guilty and obligated to do what he wants us to do, but he went through these great lengths because he loves us. He went through these great lengths because he loves you so very much.

Our God loves his creation. He is passionate about it. He would not allow the brokenness and separation that comes as a result of the fall to keep his creation from him. So he becomes a human being. In his life he perfectly fulfills and keeps all of the requirements of the law. In his death on the cross he pays in full the price for all our sins, and for all of the sins of the world. Taking that punishment upon himself, our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west. He destroys the power of sin, death and the devil in his resurrection from the grave. At his ascension he was seated at the right hand of God, where he rules and reigns on our behalf.

This is the God who is with us always. We never have to be without him, because he is always with us. He is active in our lives. He works through word and sacrament. Through these faith is given and strengthened. He provides us with everything that we need to support our body and lives. And did I mention that he is always with us?

Being with Jesus, having Jesus with us, means that we can be certain that forgiveness, life and salvation are ours, and are not based on what we do. Having these things means that when Jesus sends us to the very ends of the world, when he sends us to live life on the edge, he is sending us to live life in relationship with him. He is sending us to live a life that shows and invites others to know the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness that he free offers, and graciously, abundantly, lavishly pours out into our lives.

Living on the edge may not require that we dawn a helmet or a parachute. But it may require that we step out of our comfort zones in order to have the opportunities to show God’s love to others. Living on the edge may not have us jump off a bridge with a giant rubber band around our ankle. But it may require us to take that leap of faith and reach out to that person who has been on our hearts lately.

Living on the edge is not about danger, but it is about life. It is about living, and it is about living life with Jesus. In living life with him we go out to share that life and to invite others to know that life as well, that they too may know the love, mercy, grace and forgiveness that our Jesus offers.

Sharing God’s love is not just limited to the words that we speak. Although that is part of it. But there are some wonderful things that this congregation does to share that love. Whether it is a collection of food, or coats, or money for servant events, time and time again I have see the people of this congregation step up to the plate. And give freely and generously.

I have seen people in this congregation give of their time in service to others. You go to Mexico. You go down the street to rake leaves for people you may hardly know. You stand outside on a cold Halloween night giving away hot dogs and cider and candy and coffee. You set up and volunteer for giving away an entire semi-truck full of food. You even give your own blood at a blood drive.

You support others who serve as missionaries. You welcomed our new friends Mandy and Amy this year and allowed them to share with you the work that they are doing in one of the most dangerous places in the world. And I am just scratching the surface. This doesn’t even begin to include the many times and ways that you surround, love and care for one another too.  Your generosity is a reflection of God’s generosity in your life. Your love is a reflection of God’s love in your life.

These are the kinds of things that God’s people do, living lives of love and service, because Jesus is with us. No matter where we are or what we are doing. Even to the very edge. Even to the very end of the age. These kinds of things are what our LWML does, because this is what God’s people do. There are so many ways and opportunities for us to share and make know God’s love in Jesus with the people around us.

The LWML in this congregation does many wonderful things, in this congregation, in this community and even in our world. So we set aside a day like today to give thanks to God for them and for all of his dearly loved daughters and sons who give us themselves, who love and serve, who share and witness to God’s great love in Jesus. And they do this because they know that Jesus is with them.

May his presence in your life, and the knowledge that Jesus is with you, be for you a constant source of comfort, peace and strength. Now and always. Amen.