FINDING DIVINITY IN THE ROUTINE
I must tell you that I have been looking forward to this week for a very long time. While many may go through a frenzied, frenetic time in many ways, personally, I can't wait to get back into the routine of life that comes with the beginning of the academic year. Many of us find ways to get away during or for the summer, and it will be nice to return to a sense of normalcy during our weekly events here.
Thinking more about this, I am reminded of how God has so graciously given us the gifts of day and night, and of the week, to help bring structure to our lives. From creation to the passover to our post-Christ rituals of Christmas and Easter, I find it truly reassuring to know that God takes a much bigger view of life than we can fathom, constructing creation in such a way as to take care of all of our needs.
I've also been thinking of this need for structure in light of several events from yesterday - the texts from yesterday's worship, a party the youth group had yesterday afternoon (yes, you missed the chance to drown me in the dunking booth,) the couple of hours with the Disciple group that occur each Sunday afternoon, and the time I had with Erin after Disciple when we went out for pizza. To wit:
The texts yesterday, three readings from Christ's own words, reminded us that tithing is part of the structure of our life...and from personal experience I can testify that the discipline of tithing and moving beyond tithing is beneficial not only to the kingdom's work through the church, but also in how we manage all of our resources;
Hanging out with the youth Sunday afternoon was a great (although very wet) reminder that many of the most formative events (and some of the deepest friendships) of my life came about because of the the ritual of hanging out with the community of faith, the church and it's youth group, when I was at that very important stage of life;
Journeying through a long-term study like Disciple I reminded me that it's when we are intentional about setting time aside to study God's word daily, and setting time aside weekly to gather with fellow travelers on the journey, we grow not only in the knowledge of the sacred texts but also in the joy of community where we have gotten very close, sharing joys and concerns, learning from one another how to life out that life which God has so graciously given us; and
Catching a quick bite to eat with Erin after Disciple was a reminder that we cannot expect to have quality relationships with anyone (ourselves, God [in all forms - Father, Son, Spirit], our spouses, our children, others within our community, those with whom we attend church) if we are not intentional about making time in our routine for these relationships to develop.
As so many 'get back in routine' this week, may we ALL take time to examine what are our routines of life, and how are they enabling us to be more intentioned followers of Christ, moving from hearers of the word to doers of the Word. May we not become slaves to our routines, or use our routines as excuses to drift away from Christ; rather, let us allow God to use life's routines to do renewing and restoring work within all of our life.
See You Sunday!
Lamar