by Rev. Lowell Black – Pastor of Spiritual Formation / Valpo FUMC
The scripture today reminds us we are saved by God’s grace through faith. If our faith drives our lives, if we are in right relationship with God, the unmerited love of God is ours and we are saved. This salvation comes that easily and with great price.
The sacrifice of Jesus himself has provided this access, this outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is present in our lives, and a bold new way of approaching God – not through a priest in the temple, but directly by prayer and with the help of the Holy Spirit when words fail us. We were reminded as we started this week that we are beloved of God.
If we stop for a few minutes and let that sink in or be absorbed, it can be life altering. So many people I have encountered in less than great circumstances have believed the world’s claims that they are not up to snuff, they are not worthy of love and that they are less than a full human being. The world tries to tell us that if we are not the “star” that gets everyone’s attention that we are less than others and not worthy. But what scripture tells us is that we ALL are loved by God. The world is wrong. God made each of us special in some way. The Holy Spirit works within us to bring out the gifts that God has given us. For evil to blossom, people need just to believe that they are inferior and unloved. The reaction to the world’s message is often tragic.
But the good news is that you are loved by the God that made the entire Universe. Nobody can change that. And with the promise of good news and deliverance, we can celebrate Palm Sunday today. We too can celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ as the Lord – the Lord of our lives and the part of God that has taught us the freedom in being in personal relationship with God.
This week’s reading was about the author learning to fly. At some point we too are tapped on the shoulder and told to go try out our new wings. God does not demean us or beat us up. After all, God is love and that love is described in 1 Cor. 13!
Should we not also follow the example of our reading and the example of love we have been given? Should we not be the instructor or mentor for those who are needing help moving along on their faith journey? Shouldn’t we as keepers of the Good News give it all away?
For the next week your challenge is to 1. Remember that the God who created everything loves YOU. 2. Remind others that they too are loved. 3. Be the flight instructor for someone else who needs to learn to fly (through prayer, or scripture, or finding God’s presence,etc.) and honor their enthusiasm and be prepared to let them fly without you.
–Lowell
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