Put on Your Shoes!
Perhaps you've heard the story of the man who went to the pet store seeking something a bit odd and out of the ordinary. After some discussion with the store owner, the man finally settled on a talking centipede named Charley. The man took his unusual pet home and decided that for their first outing together, he would take Charley to Church.
When Sunday morning arrived, the man asked his new friend, "Charley, would you like to go to church with me today?" But there was no answer.
The silence troubled the man, thinking the pet store owner hoodwinked him. Could it be that Charley really can't talk, he wondered? So, he waited a few minutes and again asked, "How about going to Church with me? It will be a blessing." But still, there was no answer. Three more times, he asked, and three more times, there was only silence. Trying one last time, the man placed his face close to the centipede's enclosure, shouting, "Hey, you in there! Would you like to go to Church with me and learn about the great gift from God?" And suddenly, to the man's utter amazement came the little voice of Charlie who answered, "I heard you the first time! I'm putting my shoes on!"
Our worshipping together as members of the one Body of Christ -our experiencing together the living Presence of the Source and Sustainer of all life -- these are great gifts we have received from God, and we rejoice over them. But as a worshipping Community of Christ, we receive responsibilities too. Together we are charged with the responsibility of going out from this place to speak the Name of Jesus and proclaim His Gospel to others. As a People, we are charged with the responsibility of being a sign of unity in our broken, divided world. As a Community of Christ, we must put on our shoes and go out into the world to accept the responsibility of ministering to others as Jesus did. And this is where the crunch comes. We find it easier to take the gifts than to exercise the responsibilities. We find it easier to make any excuse not to get up and get ready to go out in the world to minister to others. Why are we so reluctant? Because carrying out our mandate from Christ necessarily means change -for all of us. The terrible temptation always is with us -- as Church and in our personal lives, both -to settle for the lifestyle that offers the most comfort and security.
At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus said to some fishermen, "Give up the fishing business. I know your way of life means a lot to you but give it up now. There is a new thing for you to do." To Matthew, the Tax Collector, he said, "Give up your nice government job. Give up your precious security. Let go because there is a new thing required of you now." To a rich young ruler, he said, "Give up your wealth and power. They are excess baggage. When you travel with me, you travel light."
The question for us is the same as it was 2,000 years ago. Will you take on the responsibility of a true follower of Christ? Happy New Year to each of you. Let’s make 2022 the year we help others choose to follow Christ.