Last Week’s Service July 12,2020
Worship Guide (v1) for July 19, 2020
Notes to Share for July 19, 2020
Children’s Worship Ages 4-7 for July 19, 2020
Children’s Worship Ages 8-12 for July 19, 2020
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Hello friends,
Last week, we re-discovered the joy of planting seeds. We were delighted that many shared photos of their outside and countertop gardens from herbs to vegetables to beautiful flowers. One person shared their garden of garlic! Remember, the joy is in the planting!
But, we can become impatient and disappointed when we don’t see growth or an immediate return on our planting effortss. We think its our God-given job to judge whether what we see is a weed or plant. Unilaterally we emotionally, spiritually, physically, or metaphorically take out, prune, sort, even burn what we’ve judged unworthy. Even though it seems counter-intuitive to let everything in the garden grow up together, there will be a harvest. Its not our garden. Its God’s garden and God does the sorting.
In a culture in which we constantly accuse, condemn, complain, sort and label, value or discard, Jesus’ message is radical (literally, down to the roots). What is that person wearing? What accent do they have? When with that person shape up? What is the color of their skin? What kind of house do they live in? What are they driving and what does their bumper sticker say? What church do they attend or not? What news network do they watch? So by our “weeding” we bluntly tell God, “I’m going to pull up the weeds. You’re welcome!” Its God’s garden and God does the sorting.
Our assessments and assumptions are often completely wrong and when we act on them, they are often utterly destructive to the entire ecosystem and will alienate us from one another and at worst kill each other.
This week, let’s agree to stop pulling weeds. Let’s take joy in planting seeds that will grow and nurture others. Its God’s garden. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Pastor Kevin
