By Natalie Davey ...
This week we celebrated the 108th anniversary of Weston Park Baptist Church - there was singing, food, fellowship and even some dancing in the aisles! Pastor Alan shared a message from Colossians 3:12-17 entitled "Putting on Christ" and in it one of the key takeaways for me was that Paul's word to the home church in Colossi is still very pertinent today - specifically in light of how the church is to be characterized. All of the singing and dancing means nothing if love does not bind us. The metaphor of putting on Christ points to love as as sort of belt that cinches together the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience...and the call to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us. That action results in peace.
We all want peace.
In the face of our fear-driven, news-anchored world of internet soundbites peace can seem beyond our reach. But in my reflection on what Pastor Alan shared this week, I took great comfort in seeing afresh that it is in our community - in the movement we make together towards knowledge and wisdom, letting the (living) word of God dwell richly in us and this place - where peace will fill us. The tangible act of letting gratitude set the tone for my life helps me (strive to) reframe all that threatens to spill out of my cup...Gratitude is a choice. Peace is a choice. Love is a choice.
Listen to this sermon here!