Whew. I wrote the title of this as a sarcastic open to allow the creative writing side of my brain open up. However, it is an appropriate title as one can read the joy and anticipation of the exclamation mark or one could read it as anxiety and worry. “It’s summer! I can’t wait to hit the beach”. “It’s summer! I have nothing ready for this weekend!” Both can be interpreted from the same remark based on context.
Language is interesting in this way. You can say the exact same sentence with two completely different contexts. There is even a State Farm commercial which makes light of this truth in numerous hilarious commercials. Yet this paradox comes more powerfully this summer than before for me personally…and perhaps you as well. On the last week of April we found out that Ezekiel (our third son who is 20 months) had a 3- month-old half sister out in the world. We said “wow” out of joy, worry, anxiety, and shock over and over that night. Lillie was out there. In fact, over the course of the month we have said “wow” numerous times. Some of these we will share as we know more about Lillie. Some of them we will keep with our family and let her decide when and who she will share her details with. After three days of waiting which seemed like an eternity, I received a call during Consistory that she was coming to our house as emergency placement. She was a beautiful little girl who I couldn’t wait to hold and love and cherish. She needed lots of protection, consistency, and safety. Never at one moment did Carissa or I debate accepting her into our family. I marvel at stories of birth, but I feel a special joy when I hear stories of adoption. In this story we see one truth of the Bible: consistency in paradox. I am created. I create. God holds all things and will restore all someday. I am a sinner, I am saved. Jesus loves me throughout both. I am lost, I am found. The Holy spirit guides me through my life. This consistency in paradox is a great comfort in all parts of life. The unfinished work of salvation often times puts us in awkward emotional rollercoasters where we feel out of place in this world. Resident aliens. Yet God’s consistency holds fast when we flutter. Jesus’ love reminds us of our adoptive heavenly family when I feel unworthy. The Holy Spirit’s prompting gives comfort when I receive an unknown infant and then worry that she may go away the next day. Know in this busy season filled with barbecues, vacations, weddings, and all the unexpected sorrowful events Hope Community Church should be the consistency of church family in the ups and downs of life. This is a reminder to those who need this consistency, and a challenge to all to be Jesus to our brothers and sisters. Keep your presence at church as much as possible in this summer season. Your growth closer to Jesus will keep you buoyed amidst the seasons where you have a hectic weekend…and when an unexpected infant is dropped in your lap. Blessings and God’s love, Pastor Scott
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AuthorScott Martin is pastor at Hope Community Church. Archives
December 2018
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