Sin, Sinners

How do you define sin? Literally, sin means “missing the mark.” Sin is the refusal to observe spiritual life practices; it's about self-centered living, rejection of God’s will, purposes and love offered freely to all humanity. It is a refusal to do what we were created to do and become what we were meant to become in Jesus Christ. More simply put, sin is anything we do that is contrary to God’s will and purpose for our lives. When we examine the life of Jesus whom we are called to follow as disciples, our failures, short-comings and sins become apparent.

Sinners? Yes, we are! That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote to the first century Christians in Rome, “For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

John wrote: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

Addressing the reality of our sins is the first step toward more faithful living. The Lenten journey has the potential of leading us to claim all that God has in store for us through faith and leads us to claim the gift of redemption – restoration and reconciliation into a right relationship with God.

The Lenten Journey Begins

The Lenten journey has begun. It’s a season marked by many spiritual disciplines: prayer, soul searching, Bible and devotional readings, discernment, confession, and even sacrifice. The observance of Lent eventually leads us to the cross and its implications for our lives as Christians. A meaningful Lenten observance doesn't just happen; it’s hard work that requires practicing daily spiritual disciplines.

As the Ash Wednesday liturgy says, “I wish you a holy Lent.” Now it’s up to each of us to make it so. It would be helpful to ask each day during this season, "What will I do today to deepen my faith and gain greater clarity of God's purposes for my life?" To ask such a question can be life changing. But then, isn't that what the season of Lent is about?

Home for Christmas

The seasonal songs are once again filling the air waves. Some of them cause us to reflect on the past and remind us of the importance of “home.” The song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is one such song. Many will go “home” for Christmas, even if it is only in their dreams, for there is a yearning within the human heart to return to that place where we feel secure and loved. Nothing matches getting back with the people we love and who love us. Going home means being with people who love you despite your faults, who let you be who you are, who are always glad you’re there to share life with them. When one goes home there is usually good food, laughter, enjoyment of each other’s company, and sharing of joys as well as tears.

One of my favorite memories of this season is the family tradition of gathering at an aunt’s/uncle’s home for a family meal. While my family has diminished in size, I still, like many, want to go “home” to gather with family. Going “home” for the holidays is an essential part of celebrating Christmas, for “home” is where the heart is. It’s a place where loved ones gather, where our souls can connect with the souls of another. It’s a place where memories are formed, stories are told and new stories given birth. It’s a place where one can capture “Kodak moments” that last a lifetime. Home is where we can, and should, feel safe, cared for and even special. “Home is where the heart is.”

What if home no longer exists except in one’s memory or it is impossible to go to the place we call home? Many are separated by circumstances that prevent them from being with family and loved ones during the holidays. Can we make "home" out of where we are? Perhaps home is as much a state of well being and solace as it is a place.

If home is as much about attitude as it is about latitude, then we never need feel too far from home. That's good to know, especially during those times when we find our thoughts homeward bound. The challenge for many will be to make the place where you are a space and place of peace. Can you find comfort in your surroundings and warmth in fond memories or perhaps from the company of friends? If so, even if you're not at the place you live, or the place called home is no longer what it once was, you can be at home, even if it is only in your dreams.

Believe...

Macy's, a major department store with a log tradition of adding joy to Christmas, uses one stand-out word in their advertising this special season. The word is "Believe." For some, that one word answers life's most profound questions of faith, and captures the meaning and mystery of Christmas. It also may cause a person to reflect on the central message of faith that transforms lives. For others, the word simply raises more questions, beginning with one each of us must address in life's journey: What can I believe? The answer is not as simple as believing in Santa Claus, a character representing the spirit of giving. There are shortcomings to such beliefs as Santa is often entrusted with only hopes and expectations of receiving. While Santa may bring momentary happiness and delight to children, being Santa to others is more in line with the intended meaning of this season.

To make sense of the true meaning of Christmas, we must begin with God's story and what God has done on our behalf. That story has its roots in the Old Testament (deliverance) and culminates in the New Testament with "the greatest story ever told" (redemption).

So what do we need to believe to claim the true meaning and joy of Christmas?

~ Believe in the story. To do so helps interpret life as God intends it to be.

~Believe in the one who lived a more excellent way of self-giving sacrificial love. Jesus' teaching and lifestyle continue to challenge us to live love.

~Believe in God's promises. Emmanuel - a word of this season -- reminds us that "God is with us," providing what we need the most for the journey.

~ Believe in the true gifts of Christmas that are spiritual ones: Peace and love which produce hope and joy. Those who believe can share such gifts with others.

I believe that Christmas is not simply a day or a season, but anytime love is expressed. When we live love and share the spirit of giving, others will discover the “magic of Christmas.”
Believe!

Peace on earth...

“Peace on earth for all…” (Luke 2:14) That’s what Christmas offers! In a world with many conflicts, not only in personal lives, but in the corporate life of churches as well, it is helpful to realize that one of the messages of Christmas is peace, and the challenge presented by Jesus is that of being a peacemaker. When the spirit of Christmas dwells within, it addresses the discord and conflict that divides and offers a bridge to reconciliation made possible through love. One of Jesus’ greatest messages was this: “Blessed are the peacemakers…” To be a peacemaker is to become a gift to others.

Rev. Tim Farabaugh, a ministerial colleague, recently wrote a devotion that included this thought: “To bring peace and resolve conflicts, we must first seek God and ask God to guide us in finding a peaceful solution.” For some, peace will be the greatest gift they can receive this Christmas. Where and for whom do you need to be a peacemaker this holy season?

Legacy

I recently attended a memorial service for my son-in law’s father. I did not know him well, having only seen him on special occasions at family gatherings, but after hearing what others said about him, I learned that even though I never really got to know the true man, I became impressed by his legacy. While he had his problems and shortcomings (who doesn’t?), a time of remembrance sets aside those things and focuses on identifying and claiming the good and positive. It is these things that inform and form a legacy.

The dictionary defines legacy as “a gift -- anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.” One’s legacy is usually not something tangible, nor written by the person, but is formed by the positive contributions made in life’s journey.

As we go about our daily tasks of living we seldom think about our legacy or what it will be. But the reality is that we are building our legacy by the way we live each day. “Legacy” answers the question, “How will I be remembered?”

The song, Legacy, by Nichole Nordeman was inspired when she was asked how she wanted to be remembered. It asks some important questions, and is food for thought as we consider the legacy we are forming. Here are the lyrics of this thought-provoking song:

"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering, A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically, And leave that kind of legacy."

"I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me; and I enjoy an accolade like the rest.You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best, at such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much."

"I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights; we all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl' But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides the temporary trappings of this world."

"I don't have to look too far or too long awhile, to make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy. It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy."

"Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred; just want to hear instead, 'Well done' good and faithful one."

People will not always remember what you say, but they will remember how you treated them. Your legacy most likely will not be what you wrote or said, but how you lived. Perhaps the best legacy of all can be expressed in three simple words: S/he lived love!

A Season of Transition

For many of us, the coming of fall brings with it some transition, including “back to” times. Back to work, back to school, back to a more structured schedule, back to the many events that fill our lives. Fall represents a time of change. Signs of the new season will soon appear. The warmth of summer will give way to cooler temperatures; green leaves will change to beautiful colors; flowers will fade to lie dormant once again. How wonderfully amazing are the seasons of the year!

Life itself is characterized by seasons and experiences that bring transition. The biblical writer of Ecclesiastes described life’s seasons in this way: “To everything there is a season and time for every matter under heaven.” (3:1) Scriptures also remind us of God’s continual works of transformation in every season: “Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)

Our experiences reveal that life is ever-changing! Our present reality is one of constant and unprecedented change. Many people are resistant to change, preferring things to remain the same. Some changes are good and some we may feel are not so good, but change is inevitable. Learning to cope with and accept life’s transitions is often challenging, and yet a God-given opportunity. God created us to be transformational beings, to grow, to reach our God-given potential. Transitioning through the seasons of life is not simply about aging, but about growth toward a deeper level of maturity as people of faith. We are “works in progress” through each season of transition.

Each season of life must be accepted for what it is, and for what it has to offer. Many of life’s changes can result in positive growth experiences for they allow us see new possibilities through eyes of faith. No matter what the season, the challenge is the same: to embrace God’s world of transition and continue to change and adapt along with it.

What will the fall season bring? What transitions will we face? Uncertainty? Surprises? New challenges and opportunities? No doubt all this and more. The one constant of every season and circumstance of life is the abiding presence of God the creator and sustainer. Faith is the thread that holds life together through the seasons of life and equips us to go through every transition that comes.

As the fall season begins, and signs of transition and change occur, let us acknowledge the transitions that will come in our lives and embrace the changes they bring. Let us live into every season fully, and perceive “the new thing” that God is continually providing for and within us.