Skip to main content

Life in Greencastle - Rich Before We Were Born

The dry leaves scrapped against the pavement - pushed along by a pleasant breeze - and the earth is being soaked in the sunshine. It feels good, doesn't - offering a renewed sense of life and freedom? Seems like the perfect time for Spring Break, and I have seen the evidence of those who are going away for even warmer weather: the minivans and SUV's packed full.

Sometimes we need those breaks. We need those moments when we can separate from normal routines and rhythms and get a fresh vision of life again. Sometimes that comes from sandy beaches and sun on our skin. Other times, though, the new perspective is given to us exactly where we are.

Such a moment occurred for me this past week. I was reading about the thoughts and teachings of our old Reformed teacher: John Calvin - the French minister with an exacting mind and heart full of God. I was reading what Calvin had to say about modern topics like the environment and sustainability. That's when I came across an expression that brought a new perspective. "God made us rich before we were born," Calvin wrote in describing how God lavishly and sufficiently created the world, and he went on to say that God did not create Adam and Eve "until he had liberally enriched the earth with all good things."

That would be something if we could see our lives that way: rich before we even draw our first breath, our lives surrounded by treasures as tall as the Rocky Mountains. And, yet, as strange as it may seem to us, Paul said something very similar to the Ephesians: "I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance ..." (Eph. 1:17-18). Before we ever could earn a paycheck, God generously cut a check signed by Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we get a glimpse of this inheritance that has been given to us, like these sunny days or when we can enter into a time of restful leisure and receive the day God has made. And when those reminders come, it gives us renewed hope.

Perhaps you will be one of those who will be away this coming Sunday. Or, maybe you will be one who remains behind. Either way, may you remember that God lavishly created the world for you, and - in Christ Jesus - gives us all good things.

If you are with us, I look forward to worshiping with you. We'll have the opportunity to reflect more on the goodness of Jesus life and how it "infects" our own life. And we might just have a few of the younger voices leading us in a song.

God's peace be yours and the riches of Christ as well,

Wes

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 2:42-47 - Questions for Reflection & Study

This past Sunday, we took a look at Luke's first summary passage in the story of Acts:  chapter 2, verses 42-47.  Here, Luke is presenting a billboard of what the Church looks like at its best.  He is trying to convince Theophilus that Christianity is worth his attention.  The early Church captures what all of us are looking for, whether we know it or not.  This is a close community that truly cares for one another, where everyone truly is seen as a brother and sister, and where no one person is considered more or less important as the other.  Needs are being met.  There is joy in their fellowship.  Take a moment to think about a time in your life when you experienced the joy and blessing of a deep, loving community?  Where was it, and what made this community so different?  What role did you play in this community? Luke tells us the disciples "devoted themselves" to four essential practices.  The Greek word for "devoted" is one that is often used in t

Acts 5:1-11 - Questions for reflection & prayer

This past Sunday we looked at one of the more unsettling stories in the Book of Acts :  the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira.  As shared by Luke, this couple sold a piece of land and then proceeded to bring only a portion of the profit to the apostles - laying it at their feet for the good of the community.  However, what appeared to be their grave mistake (pun intended) was their collusion in claiming to have brought all the proceeds to the apostles when - in fact - they were keeping some back for themselves.  Peter announces first to Ananias the Lord's judgment, followed by a similar verdict being handed down to Sapphira a short time later. Seen by itself, this is a strange story, but it begins to make more sense when we see it as "part of the whole."  The story of Ananias and Sapphira comes right after we hear once again of the community's unity and generosity, including their willingness to share their own goods and resources to take care of one another (ch. 4). 

Listening to Jesus

In recent years, two scenes from the Gospels keep grabbing my attention: Jesus' baptism and Jesus' transfiguration. In both instances God the Father speaks to Jesus or about Jesus (it may be the only time we hear God the Father speaking directly about Jesus). In both cases, God proclaims (and claims) Jesus as God's very own, "Beloved" Son. God the Father further announces that he is "well pleased" with Jesus. On the second occasion - the Transfiguration - God goes on to command us (the disciples) to "Listen to him." Listen to Jesus. It seems like such a fundamental and important part of what it means to be a Christian. The very idea of us being Christians is that we are taking our cues and directions from Jesus - that he is both our Lord and our Teacher. And, yet, I have noticed within myself that I don't really do this that often. Yes, even pastors struggle with this. It is much easier to be swayed by the many other voices that we