|
Dear San Marco Church Family: Our Florida United Methodist annual conference concluded last Saturday with the service of licensing, commissioning, and ordination. Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the Virginia Annual Conference delivered a great message that included some “archetypal” stories about what it means to live fully into the gospel reality of life. One of those stories was about how God’s Holy Spirit can “clean us up” and give us a grateful and joyful perspective on our lives. This is a reality that is independent of all the circumstances in our lives. Bishop Sue told us about a man (she chose to call him “Kenny”) who had come to the church she served several years ago. The man was houseless at the time, and he had struggled with addictions to a variety of drugs for most of his life. A member of the church befriended Kenny and he got sober and became active in the church. There was a church “clean-up” day in which some very old, crusty large candles for the altar were to be discarded. Kenny asked if he could have them, and he proceeded to spend many hours cleaning the candles. One Sunday, Bishop Sue encountered Kenny and he showed her the candles he had cleaned. They were beautiful and sparkling clean. Kenny explained that his motivation for cleaning the candles was rooted in his gratitude for what God had done for him. He said, “God did for me what I did for these candles. Christ came and cleaned me up and gave me a new life, for which I am grateful.” That little story offers the posture and worldview of someone who truly “gets” what the power of Christ in us can do! As the scripture reminds us in Luke 7:47, whomever is forgiven much is able to love much. I invite you to think about what God has done in your life to give you renewed hope and encouragement. How has God “cleaned you up” and made something beautiful of your life? When I think about what my life was like 35 years ago compared to now, I can eagerly celebrate all the ways God has brought something good out of the many messes I created as a young man. Our Lord’s very nature is to love us, even when we struggle to love ourselves! Thank you for the many ways you support San Marco Church. This summer I am exploring ideas for a sermon series for the Fall and into Advent. Please reach out to me if you have ideas or topics in which you are interested. I remain grateful to serve as your pastor, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Steve Hart
|
