Bumper Sticker Theology
"The best things in life aren't things."
I saw this bumper sticker yesterday on a car that was driving along Broadway in Galveston, where, a year ago, "things" pulled from homes and businesses were piled high on the curb after Hurricane Ike. People, relationships, values, purpose, beliefs, visions, and all the "best things" increase in significance when we are liberated from our possessions. It doesn't have to take a calamity.
The Most Rev'd Frank Griswold, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, wrote this prayer in remembrance of September 11, 2001.
"God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future. Out of what we have endured, give us the grace to examine our relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself. Amen."
Recently, I have found myself in the midst of conversations regarding the President's speech to the nation's students
and the President's health care proposal. Some of those conversations became heated and the need for civility became obvious.
Sunday's reading from the Letter of James is a word of wisdom that offers something even better than civility.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue– a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. – James 3:1-12
This wisdom takes Christians beyond "civil" discourse, which is a good thing, into another level of conversation wherein our words can be a blessing to others. If only I can remember that the same tongue I use to bless God should be used to bless those who are created in God's image!
I wonder if I can apply this wise insight the next time I become involved in a conversation about a controversial topic. My viewpoint may not be the one that changes another person's mind. But my blessing might change that person's life.
When I first moved to Lawrence three weeks ago, people told me to be careful when the students returned to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. There are more cars on the road and some of them are making erratic moves. They were so right! What's more, being new myself, I've contributed to the situation.
It is not that the students are bad drivers. Many of them are new to town, lost, and simply trying to find their way. There's a parable here.
Being a student involves getting lost, seeking direction, and finding our way. In a sense, all of us are students because we regularly do those things – get lost, seek direction, find our way.
When Christians speak of people being "lost," it often sounds as if we are describing lost causes. However, when Jesus speaks of the lost, he speaks with compassion about people who are trying to find their way and could use the help of someone who cares.
Seems to me that is what Christians ought to be about and what we ought to be doing – caring enough to help others find their way. And, in trying to help, it might be a good idea to remember how often we get lost and how good it feels when someone shows us the way. After all, we are students (disciples) aren't we?
In the first century, Christianity was sometimes called "The Way." Jesus referred to himself as "the Way." I don't think either reference was meant to be exclusivistic. It is pretty clear from Jesus' own life that his way was far more inclusive than the way of the religious establishment. His way intersected the ways of a wide variety of souls and something new came into being.
It's something to think about. And, welcome back for another year Haskell and KU students! We'll try to be helpful if you lose your way and humble enough to ask you for help when we lose ours.
This YouTube video, Social Media Revolution, was shared with me this morning by friend and parishioner Jeff Bangert in Lawrence. It provides revealing statistics supporting the conclusion that social media isn't a fad, "it's a fundamental shift in the way we communicate." The video was produced by Socialnomics(TM), a blog "designed to cover the latest trends in social media. It primarily focuses on covering the latest news on social media and what it means for users and businesses, often taking irreverent view points of a popular topic. For example, deciding what is the most dominant social media site by a March Madness style bracket. It was founded and is still maintained by Erik Qualman. The blog augments the book of the same title by Wiley Publishing, which is on sale now (click here to order). Qualman suggests that social networking is the "biggest shift since the industrial revolution." For example, Facebook added 100 million users in 9 months and if Facebook were a country, it would be the world's 4th largest. That's something to think about.
Social media offer churches an unprecedented opportunity to communicate, not just with one another but with those with whom we hope to share the good news that has been entrusted to us. I'm fortunate to be a part of a church where good news is really good! We believe it is for all sorts and conditions of people and that it transforms lives. It is news worth sharing in words and in actions. Let's don't keep it a secret. Take a look at the video and then take social networking seriously.
Today was my first Sunday as Interim at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kansas. The Rev. Canon Mary Siegmund, Canon to Bishop Dean E. Wolfe, and Ellen Tracy, Senior Warden, introduced me to the congregation during both morning services.