Lenten Devotions 2008

By Pastor Mike

 #1

I have been going to the gym at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center since early January.  As I exercise I notice many people from different walks of life trying to get in “shape.”  One group particularly catches my attention, young mothers who bring their babies in strollers and exercise. First they walk around the track quickly pushing the strollers. Then they stop and face the babies in a circle and do stretching exercises and work with elastic cords. They work out for about one hour. I noticed that the mothers are very faithful in attending the exercise group. 

I thought of a scripture while I watched the various people exercising. 1 Timothy 4:8, The King James Version says: “for bodily exercise profiteth little but godliness is profitable unto all things...” That is the way I memorized the verse. The revised version states: “Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

As we begin the Lenten journey together this week let’s perform a spiritual check-up.  How much time do we devote to spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fasting, public worship, giving of alms, and Christian conversation? Growing in the Christian faith requires spiritual exercise.  So during the next few weeks and beyond let’s make a commitment to shape up, physically and spiritually.

Let us pray, Dear God, thank you for giving us a physical body and the strength to work and play.  Help us to spiritually exercise as well so that we may be fit for your kingdom. We thank you for the example of Jesus and all the saints who have run the race before us. Through your Spirit guide us throughout our lives and help us live in a manner which pleases you. In Christ’s name. Amen.

#2

This morning I went outside to take the garbage to the curb.  I noticed that pieces of newspaper were scattered all over the neighborhood. Evidently someone had newspaper in their recycle bin and had not secured it well and the wind spread it all over the block.  That made me think about how the recycling actually cuts down on litter and garbage in landfills despite the fact that today something had gone wrong.  I am glad that Arlington promotes recycling, many communities do not.

The theme for the first Sunday of Lent was temptation. I preached about personal temptation yet as I went through the sermon I realized I had missed half the message.  I didn’t mention corporate temptation and sin.  I guess that clearly shows I am an American, always thinking about the individual.  Our country stresses the rights of individuals and the importance of being yourself.  Still groups and communities also exist and behave in specific ways. Nations, cities, and counties make decisions and carry out actions.  Communities, groups and churches also face temptations.

My parent’s home is in Lynchburg, Virginia.  That city does not strongly promote recycling.  At some point the leaders and community made the decision that it costs too much. It costs too much to pick up recycled goods and it costs too much to collect certain items such as glass.  So the city has some recycle centers, but they reject many items such as glass and not many people recycle. The city of Lynchburg faced the temptation to go “cheap” when the issue of going “green” was raised. I guess they felt people would have more green in the pockets with lower taxes.   Madison County where Marable, my wife, serves is facing a temptation. I couldn’t help to notice how slanted the local paper was. Last week it had a headline which said, “Can MC afford to give teachers a raise?”  The assumption in the article was that it would cost the tax payers too much and that public education is not worth the price.

Monetary decisions are not the only area in which temptation comes to communities but also issues of who belongs, in-group, out groups, issues of power, and issues of conformity.  Conformity is enforced in a group mainly by peer pressure, but it also can be done through violence, either physical or verbal.

In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians he addresses issues the church there was facing.  They had given in to certain temptations.  Charismatic leaders had divided the congregation and the groups were fussing with each other.  Some members of the church had also committed acts of immorality and yet the church did not hold them accountable…the temptation was not to rock the boat.  There was even drunkenness and gluttony during Holy Communion and the leaders had given in to the temptation to do nothing.

Paul called the Corinthians to remember who they were. In 1Cor. 12:12 he states, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ.”  He goes on to point out that Christ is the head of the body.  That Christians respond to Christ’s commands not the voice of one faction or a charismatic leader. 

Temptations can be difficult for communities just like for individuals, but communities can be victorious and in the case of the Church we have the help of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray, Dear Lord, help us as your church to live according to your will.  Help us to hear your voice clearly even when the majority are speaking loudly.  Help us to make the hard and costly decisions which may not please everyone but which will advance your kingdom on earth. Draw us together in your Spirit and love.  In Christ’s name. Amen

#3

Recently I received some medical bills and insurance EOB forms. I was shocked by the cost of blood work for a normal yearly check up.  I guess this is the price we all pay for medical care.  It is comforting to know that when you are sick there are doctors available to help.

Where can we go for a spiritual check up?  Attending church or Sunday school is not really the setting in which our spiritual health can be analyzed. Of course if we don’t attend worship and Christian education classes it would suggest a symptom of spiritual illness. But normally we don’t have one on one sharing with anyone in worship in a way which helps us judge our spiritual life and growth.  So once again the question is raised where or who do we go to?

I think many people assume that if they have made a decision to become a Christian and or church member that it is like having a vaccination.  We took the medicine which cured us and now we just live our lives without any spiritual concerns.  But is that really enough?

I was at a conference on renewing Methodism this past week. One thing the leader stated was that when studies are done by religious organizations as well as secular groups about Christians in America the conclusion that is reached is that Christians live exactly the same way as non-Christians. There is no difference in values, morals, life style or activities.  That seems to suggest that our Christian faith is not transformational. Yet early Christianity was radically transformational!

The other message that was brought out in the meeting was that Methodism gave up one of its most important vehicles for spiritual accountability and growth, the Wesleyan Class meetings. Groups of Methodists would meet once a week with a class leader, and the one question would be “How is your soul?” The same question our District Superintendent asked at prayer time the other week. The class leader and pastor would perform weekly checkups of the spiritual condition of the class members.  It was also pointed out that each class member tithed weekly and gave an extra gift for missional work. The class leader and pastor knew how much each person gave. Not only worship and class attendance but giving was also an indicator for spiritual health! The pastor and class leader both knew how much each member gave, just like a doctor knows your weight, temperature and blood pressure. After the 1930’s the Methodist Church decided class meetings were not necessary and giving was secret stuff!

I noticed in Acts chapter 20:28-30 Paul tells the elders in Ephesus that they have the task of being overseers, they are to take care of the members. The member’s spiritual lives were in danger from “wolves” that would destroy them. In 1 Peter 5:2-8 the elders of the church are once again told to tend the flock and protect them.  Therefore a pastor’s role is to be a spiritual overseer, to watch over the spiritual life of the members.

 How many of us share on a weekly basis with anyone how our spiritual life is going? How many pastors put the spiritual care of members first over administrative, teaching, chaplaincy work with the sick, and meetings? Spiritual health is important, more important than any other aspect of life.  Some people use spiritual directors, or belong to covenant groups but most do not. During this season let’s ponder what needs to happen to foster spiritual well being.  It will have a cost but the dividends are eternal!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, lover of our souls help us to take our spiritual lives seriously.  Help us to find ways to care for each other. Thank you for the presence of your spirit which guides us and helps us to be transformed into Christ’s likeness. Thank you for our fellow brothers and sisters and for our pastors who care for our souls. Amen