The following is Nate’s article from this month’s issue of The Shorelines newsletter:
During my sermon “Faith Deserts” on July 31, we explored how Jesus had just learned of the murder of his cousin, John the Baptist, and had stolen away to seclusion only to have the crowds follow him (Mt. 14:13-21). Rather than send them away, Jesus embraced them, taught them, and ultimately fed them in what we often call “The Feeding of the 5,000.”
I put it to the congregation that sometimes we find ourselves in “faith deserts,” these places where we lose faith in how God and people around us can be a part of going through the big stuff, the little stuff, and all the stuff in-between. Trying to tackle everything on our own, all the time, isn’t getting us anywhere. It’s giving in to the fear of letting others in. Instead, my hope is that, as Rally Sunday approaches, we’re giving serious thought to how we can use the fall as a season of fresh starts and rejuvenation. My hope is we can find the small groups and emotional support networks we need, be they here at Exelsior UMC and/or elsewhere, and that God will be a welcomed, present part of this new way of exploring life. I asked people to think about this for six weeks.
So have you been doing this? Have you been taking this six-week period between July 31 and Rally Sunday – September 11 – to see if you’re in a faith desert or a faith oasis? If so, what’s your answer and what are you going to do about it? If not, isn’t it time you asked yourself about it? Isn’t it time you asked yourself if you’re letting God and the people around you in so you’re not trying to do it all by yourself? I think so.
I’d love to hear what you have to say on the matter. Continue the conversation on our church blog, faithjourneylifejourney.com.
Regards,
Nate Melcher
