By Steve Rowley ...
Seasons happen to all of us, regardless of age. Having said that, as I’ve reflected carefully on Sunday’s message I must say that as one not in summer I find the lens of autumn, where I quite likely reside chronologically a bit fuzzy.
Let’s face the chronological reality of our culture. In spring we champ at the bit for summer (and all the fun stuff associated with it). In summer we are inundated with messaging that tells us to do all we can to hold on to the moment. In autumn we are encouraged to experiment with everything that comes our way to somehow get us back to the warm glow of the summer sunshine (50’s the new 40, 60’s the new 50). In winter our culture offers magic elixirs that will turn our biological clocks back and keep us living forever. Summer ROCKS.
Which leads me to the concept of the now. What about the now? What about the present instead of the past, the future, or the distracted. To say we must “live in the moment” is so bloody cliché it’s beyond the pale. The statement reeks of the intoxicating cultural elixir that so many offer up. Yet here we are. Here I am. Chronologically autumn, can I accept the grace that my faith offers me to look beyond. Am I open to being self aware and self reflective enough to look beyond chronological time to what Alan so often refers to as “Kairos” time? Can I:
Keep my eyes on God even as the Power Dimension of life wanes?
Lord Jesus, give me the grace to recognize that no matter my age, my vocation, my stature in the community I am loved by the One who loves me and receives no questions asked, no judgment passed. Keep me aware of the seasons and the transcendent nature they offer as a source of strength and peace. Amen.
Listen to this sermon here!