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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Saying "I Will" To The World
September 7, 2005
Dear friends,
Weddings are usually private affairs. They take place inside a
church or tucked away in a banquet hall. Sometimes they extend
outdoors but then it is in a picturesque setting like a Country Club
or Community Garden. Even then there is a buffer between the
wedding party and the outside world to maintain a sense of privacy.
The world only a gets to sneak a peak after the fact as the couple
leaves the site and heads for the reception. I always get a good laugh
when a car goes by and honks at the receiving line standing out front
of the Church. Everyone loves a wedding and wants to get into the
celebratory moment even if they weren't invited. Why not?
Weddings are fun. They celebrate the highest hopes that a man and
woman can have.
This past weekend I was blessed to participate in a traditional
wedding in a very non-traditional setting. The ceremony took place
on the sand at Ocean Beach Park in New London. This resulted in a
private ceremony becoming a public event. Even as the guests
crowded along the boardwalk to wait for the bride to arrive, curious
onlookers stopped to see what all the fuss was about.
Before long a curious assortment of onlookers had assembled. They
came dressed in suits and gowns, bikinis and t-shirts. Some came
carrying gifts while others sported towels and beach umbrellas. As I
looked out at the gathered congregation, I had the feeling of being in
a fishbowl. This private ceremony became something that everyone
could enjoy and take away with them. Every word, every emotion,
every promise was there for the world to see and comment on.
One woman remarked how refreshing it was to see two people make
a public declaration of their love. It made her feel good about the
future. I was struck by her statement. When people see us making
positive affirmations of the things we believe in, like love and
marriage, it leaves an impression on them. A thought hit me that
the same thing is true concerning our faith. When we let the love of
God lead and direct us to reach out it becomes a powerful and hope
filled witness.
As I watch good people, many of them people of faith, reach out to
the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I have a good feeling about the
future. They are not simply talking about faith, they are living it out
in public for all to see. Too often we try to lock our faith away as if it
was only to be shared in the privacy of a church or synagogue. We
treat it as though it was a treasure to be taken out and worn for
worship services on the weekends. Like with a wedding, some people
think that how we live out our faith should be a private affair.
Thank goodness that God doesn't think that way. He said our faith
should be put out for all to see. He tells us we are the salt of the
earth and He sends us out to make the world a better place. So what
are we waiting we for? Shall we take the lead of that wonderful
young couple and let the whole world see our commitment to God?
Say "I will" and let's see what we can do to help make this world a
better place.
God bless! See you in Church. Cal
September 7, 2005
Dear friends,
Weddings are usually private affairs. They take place inside a
church or tucked away in a banquet hall. Sometimes they extend
outdoors but then it is in a picturesque setting like a Country Club
or Community Garden. Even then there is a buffer between the
wedding party and the outside world to maintain a sense of privacy.
The world only a gets to sneak a peak after the fact as the couple
leaves the site and heads for the reception. I always get a good laugh
when a car goes by and honks at the receiving line standing out front
of the Church. Everyone loves a wedding and wants to get into the
celebratory moment even if they weren't invited. Why not?
Weddings are fun. They celebrate the highest hopes that a man and
woman can have.
This past weekend I was blessed to participate in a traditional
wedding in a very non-traditional setting. The ceremony took place
on the sand at Ocean Beach Park in New London. This resulted in a
private ceremony becoming a public event. Even as the guests
crowded along the boardwalk to wait for the bride to arrive, curious
onlookers stopped to see what all the fuss was about.
Before long a curious assortment of onlookers had assembled. They
came dressed in suits and gowns, bikinis and t-shirts. Some came
carrying gifts while others sported towels and beach umbrellas. As I
looked out at the gathered congregation, I had the feeling of being in
a fishbowl. This private ceremony became something that everyone
could enjoy and take away with them. Every word, every emotion,
every promise was there for the world to see and comment on.
One woman remarked how refreshing it was to see two people make
a public declaration of their love. It made her feel good about the
future. I was struck by her statement. When people see us making
positive affirmations of the things we believe in, like love and
marriage, it leaves an impression on them. A thought hit me that
the same thing is true concerning our faith. When we let the love of
God lead and direct us to reach out it becomes a powerful and hope
filled witness.
As I watch good people, many of them people of faith, reach out to
the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I have a good feeling about the
future. They are not simply talking about faith, they are living it out
in public for all to see. Too often we try to lock our faith away as if it
was only to be shared in the privacy of a church or synagogue. We
treat it as though it was a treasure to be taken out and worn for
worship services on the weekends. Like with a wedding, some people
think that how we live out our faith should be a private affair.
Thank goodness that God doesn't think that way. He said our faith
should be put out for all to see. He tells us we are the salt of the
earth and He sends us out to make the world a better place. So what
are we waiting we for? Shall we take the lead of that wonderful
young couple and let the whole world see our commitment to God?
Say "I will" and let's see what we can do to help make this world a
better place.
God bless! See you in Church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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