Evidence??

I saw a sign like this many years ago. I didn't have my camera, and it was years before camera phones. It really made an impression on me. I've recreated it here through the use of a "church sign generator." Did you know such a thing existed? It fit so well with a wonderful sermon I heard this morning, that I had to dig it back out.

Rev. Todd Watson, at Main Street United Methodist Church, preached on Acts 17:1-15. It really made me think! He focused on Acts 17:6 - "These people who have been disturbing the peace throughout the empire have also come here." Common English Bible. Todd challenged us with these questions: Does knowing God (through Jesus) make a difference in our lives, in the world? Do we live any differently because we know Jesus? Lots of room for introspection here!

Todd compared our religious status quo with camping in an RV. We never really leave home, because we take home with us. In my Christian life, do I ever step out of my comfort zone in a way that will leave me open to God's transformational power? What am I missing?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer tells us that God calls us to come and die. It is only through dying to self, ego, and control, that we can begin to live into God's call for our life. We need to get out of our climate-controlled RV and breathe in that fresh spiritual air.

God wants all of us. He wants us to have enough faith to be those noisy, messy people who disturb the peace. We are called to surrender daily to God's will and move into a new life. Christianity in action always results in a revolution in the life of the individual that will ripple out into society.

Thanks, Todd, for pointing us to the joy in the journey of faith. I strongly believe that God won't do what we can do for ourselves. We've got to take action. WE are the church! Amen.