Tuesday, February 20, 2007

My dear God,

It's a long way from a chicken noodle dinner at the church to a fancy meal served at a swank banquet hall. Our church has been committed to missions for a very long time. We simply care about others. But it is a leap raising from $300 to $400 to $10,000. Whoa! But that's exactly what we intend to do!

With $10,000 we can underwrite half scholarships for youth to do a mission trip to Colorado, to provide books and equipment for a library in Africa, to provide resources for a medical team to Nigeria, to send children to school in Honduras, to furnish supplies to build Habitat homes in America and Eastern Europe, to feed many homeless people in our city many times. Our hearts are stretching "deep and wide", as the song goes.

Our Missions Committee met last night. We brainstormed ideas for the big event - the meal, music, a charismatic speaker, displays with passionate people, a video, silent auction with fine items and maybe even a live auction at the end with very special items. Everything has to be first class if we really want to razzle dazzle people with our spirited desire to serve.

It is a real stretch to shift perspectives, from a small church mentality to a world wide one. Neither is bad; it's just a change in gears. I watched with great interest as we shared our ideas. "Movin' on up" a song from The Jeffersons, a sitcom of the 80's, is a good way to describe our movement. We want to do bigger things, make a merited difference, strike out for new territory. It has to be a "God-thing!" God moving us to greater heights of love for those in need.

It is difficult to change our ways, to grapple for a wider calling, to reach for the sky. It takes a lot of passion to imagine more, then take steps to get there. It is scary to put one's self on unfamiliar ground, to take the risks to do more, to believe that the impossible is possible. The potential for change brings a kind of fear with it. Some people stop right there. Nix the idea. Only the courageous will move forward with fear and trepidation and hope and faith. Whatever more they are able to do will motivate them for the future.

We are movin' on up! In my mind's eye, I see all these hands reaching up, colorful strings (cords) coming down from heaven, waiting for us to take hold. People reaching, stretching, standing on tiptoe to capture the links to God. And the joy...when our hand and God's touch, like Michelangelo's sistine chapel, God and Adam's hands reaching out, touching, it is overwhelming. For to be touched by God is like none other. At that precipitous moment, everything comes together. Life is awe and wonder! And joy spills over, like a fountain.

We are ready for greater things! We've been in the muck, pulling and prodding. But during that time we have envisioned a design for the future. Filled with divine mystery, we are on the move, traveling to new places, following the lead of God. In our backpacks we carry enthusiasm, hope, prayer, and a bottle of living water to keep our spirit moving. We see God in our future and God is helping us to see our neighbor. Together there is nothing we can't do!

Praiseworthy God,
our sights are higher
than ever before.
And all because
you have lifted our eyes
toward heaven.
You have said,
"follow me,"
and we have responded
with a resilient YES!
When we step back
and look at ourselves,
we marvel
at the work of your hands.
We could never get there alone.
You have inspired us,
shown us a peek at heaven,
filled with joyous saints
who have followed your call.
Your church,
it's your church
and you've given each of us a place.
You have shown us
the corners of the earth
and invited us to Go.
Gracious God,
how grateful our hearts are
to be trusted by you.
Keep leading us
to the promised land
and we'll take hold
of your children's hands
along the way.
Joy, overflowing.

Love always, Andrea