Don't Be Scared to Ask
Sometimes I get angry.
I get frustrated with how little folks care about the condition of their community or the fate of their neighbor.
It is frustrating that we have become very into ourselves and not so into knowing our neighbors, feeding our neighbors, and becoming friends with our neighbors.
I often hear people literally demanding for what they believe is theirs, even to the point of hurting fellow friends, neighbors, or people close to them.
What brings us to do something such as that? I asked a local legislator the other day if he thought there is a growing sense of entitlement in our nation. He said "absolutely not"...of course not says the politician. I obviously disagree with him.
I watched a video the other day at the Roberson Museum here in Binghamton. It was about the incredible vision of just a few men who dared to take risks in their business, dared to offer a LOT to their employees, and dared to build up a community so full of wonderful things there was no resisting it. They build homes for their workers, parks for children to play in, and pools for families to swim in. They had a vision. They had incredible dreams. They took risks.
We have stopped asking questions that are uncomfortable like, "Hey big company, how are you building genuine relationships with the community you reside in?" or "Hey church, what are you doing that proves you are a gospel following, neighbor loving non profit?" Are we challenging one another? Are we inviting one another to take BIG, IMPORTANT risks to uplift our neighbors? To move the world towards greater peace?
When we stop risk taking and shaking hands with people we don't know, and only demanding things to go our way, we begin to lose hope. And then we turn inward. And inward is bad bedcause we then become concerned only with self.
Jesus calls us out of self and into the world. Right smack dab into the hurting world around us. We are to go hang out with people who feel rejected. We are to work for just conditions of all workers. We are to work for change that liberates people from sexual bondage because they are gay. We are to plant gardens in empty parking lots so people can eat and come together to learn, get dirty, and eat! We are to smile and not act like we are better than others.
These things, when done one at a time, day after day, can transform people, including you.
So open up that heart of yours and take a risk. Do something great for your community or that person you don't know yet.
Shalom,
Pastor Annette
I get frustrated with how little folks care about the condition of their community or the fate of their neighbor.
It is frustrating that we have become very into ourselves and not so into knowing our neighbors, feeding our neighbors, and becoming friends with our neighbors.
I often hear people literally demanding for what they believe is theirs, even to the point of hurting fellow friends, neighbors, or people close to them.
What brings us to do something such as that? I asked a local legislator the other day if he thought there is a growing sense of entitlement in our nation. He said "absolutely not"...of course not says the politician. I obviously disagree with him.
I watched a video the other day at the Roberson Museum here in Binghamton. It was about the incredible vision of just a few men who dared to take risks in their business, dared to offer a LOT to their employees, and dared to build up a community so full of wonderful things there was no resisting it. They build homes for their workers, parks for children to play in, and pools for families to swim in. They had a vision. They had incredible dreams. They took risks.
We have stopped asking questions that are uncomfortable like, "Hey big company, how are you building genuine relationships with the community you reside in?" or "Hey church, what are you doing that proves you are a gospel following, neighbor loving non profit?" Are we challenging one another? Are we inviting one another to take BIG, IMPORTANT risks to uplift our neighbors? To move the world towards greater peace?
When we stop risk taking and shaking hands with people we don't know, and only demanding things to go our way, we begin to lose hope. And then we turn inward. And inward is bad bedcause we then become concerned only with self.
Jesus calls us out of self and into the world. Right smack dab into the hurting world around us. We are to go hang out with people who feel rejected. We are to work for just conditions of all workers. We are to work for change that liberates people from sexual bondage because they are gay. We are to plant gardens in empty parking lots so people can eat and come together to learn, get dirty, and eat! We are to smile and not act like we are better than others.
These things, when done one at a time, day after day, can transform people, including you.
So open up that heart of yours and take a risk. Do something great for your community or that person you don't know yet.
Shalom,
Pastor Annette
great post. -cycler11 :)
ReplyDeleteThis community can be awesome!! I attended a benefit this weekend for a family in need. People danced, sang, and played their musical instruments, entertaining the crowd for over four hours. In a small gym many came together and raised over twelve thousand dollars for this family! Unfortunately, things like this are too often over looked. There is a LOT of people doing a LOT of good, spreading the unconditional love of Jesus. I saw many, many people who cared a about the fate of their neighbor last Saturday at The Big Gifted Give in Hillcrest!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, bad news seems to be the trend. How can kindness, caring and love compete with hate, prejudice and fear?
ReplyDeleteI feel privileged to know Pastor Annette and know how much energy and passion she puts into every single day through Grace Adventure. She was "our" Pastor for a while and it was a beautiful experience. Believe in what she says as you can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI miss you and wish you were closer. :)
A friends father lived by a motto that still guides me - "You are no better than anyone else however no one else is better than you". So true... help one another, support one another and watch what grows. Nice post Pastor Annette!
ReplyDeleteNice thoughts from a thoughtful Pastor. One who can't walk by a person who is hurting. Everyday, I see that although Annette didn't grow up under my roof she will always be of the same heart. I continue to Thank God (he or she or both) for letting me grow this Church with you.
ReplyDelete