Yesterday’s worship brought our eight-week series “Life is a Circus” to its conclusion. While we really didn’t set out to make it a grand finale, it was a particularly moving service that I believe reflected the best of who we are as a church.
The baptism of Hayden Anderson, with Great Grandmother looking on from the organ bench was touching. Hayden’s request that Heather go with her into the water reflected both her appreciation of Heather’s role in her decision and our value of women in pastoral leadership. It was beautiful.
Not knowing this would be his daughter’s baptism Sunday, Bryan had already gone all out to match the theme of the day through various musical styles, all done with excellence.
A few extra instrumentalists not only filled the room with great sound, but stirred our hearts as we pondered the wonder of God’s love and faithfulness.
The visual of trapeze artists overhead – thank you Cindy, Bryan, and Jason Lamons– made it easier to bring the metaphor to life as we learned from Abram’s brave response to God’s beckoning. He had to turn loose to grab hold. He couldn’t stay where he was and go with God at the same time. Neither can we – and there are a lot of ways that plays out for us individually and collectively. If you were not in attendance, I encourage you to worship virtually after the fact. A lot of good stuff was said, seen, and done that I believe is important enough to make the effort.
So, after joining the circus, considering three rings and a ringmaster, juggling, taming lions, gathering under the big top, walking tightropes, taking our show on the road, and taking leaps of faith, where do we go from here? Glad you asked.
ONE C ONE 3.
Figure it out yet?
For the next four weeks, we will rest in and reflect on one of the most treasured chapters in God’s word. First Corinthians 13. Hence, “One C One 3.” The poetry of that section is perhaps the finest the New Testament offers, rivaled only by certain Psalms. But make no mistake, there is more than literary beauty and soft sentiment in those thirteen verses. There are wonderous descriptions and clear directions of just how the self-defined God, who is love, designed and desires folks created in His image to be and behave. There is far more depth, strength, and clarity in this passage than the cursory reader is apt to recognize and realize. Why do I suspect this?
Simply put, it’s because we do not appear to reside in a One C One 3 world. (Insert your own evidence here.)
As children of the Father and followers of the Son, His Spirit is calling us to live out and out of God’s love consistently, even when doing so seems uncommon and inconvenient. Make no mistake, the world is watching to see how we do. So is God. That’s why it’s worth a month-long deep dive into this beloved text. Thanks in advance for joining me on the journey.