What A SummerFire in the Dismal swamp! So many acres burning that we have a smoke advisory.
Earthquake and aftershocks! Though living on an ancient fault line, we thought we were safe.
Hurricane Irene! Not as bad as some we’ve experienced, but bad enough to inconvenience us all.
Through it all, the one thing people talk about is electricity, or rather the lack, thereof.
No air conditioning in the midst of high humidity. No refrigeration for our sweet ice tea.No gas pumping so we can’t go.No stop lights.No news bulletins. No Starbucks, no WaWa, no open grocery stores. No ice -- anywhere. No TV, no computer, spotty cell phone coverage. No hot showers. No clean clothes.
We are totally dependent on electricity. It controls our lives. As we gather to worship today, we are dependent on electricity for air conditioning, lights, and sound system. It begs the question: Is God as big a part of our lives as electricity? Do we depend on God for air conditioning, gasoline, coffee, showers and clean clothers? No. We depend on electricity.
Our dependence on God is usually when we have something to celebrate, or when we’ve exhausted every other source of help and only God is left. What would our lives be like to depend on God with as much expectation as we have that the light will come on when we flip the switch?
What does Scipture say? Do we know what is in the book called The Bible? Or, do we know what we know because someone else told us what it says and what it means? The Bible is the story of God’s work in the world, in and through God’s people, then why does it collect dust? When we do study God’s Word, questions arise. Some questions are answered in Sunday School; some during worship; some during Bible Study, but an often overlooked source of answers is God!
Have you tried asking God your questions? Questions are, after all, a good conversation starter. Questions can get you talking with God, praying to God, having a relationship with God.
We know that solid relationships take time. A good marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes work. Good, long lasting friendships don’t just happen.
They take work. So, why do we think we should have an instant connection with God? Why do we expect God to jump to it; to pull us out of a jam; or make things right, when we haven’t worked on the relationship?
Remember, Jesus prayed in the good times, after feeding 5,000 people, and in the bad times, right before His crucifixion. Jesus talked with God and questioned God. “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not My Will but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Then Jesus followed God’s Will.
Prayer takes many forms. There are formal, written prayers and prayers on the run. It doesn’t matter as long as it comes from the heart. Prayer can be one on one with God. Prayer can be with two or three. For Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18: 20) Prayer can be as a congregation gathers to worship. Prayer is important in building that relationship.
In a few minutes, we will celebrate Holy Communion. It is a time to commune, to be in relationship with God, to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives.
What do you think would happen if we spent as much time with God as we do with things that use electricity? Some would say life would be boring. Yet, just perhaps, our faith in God would grow and be stronger. Our bonds with family and friends would be deeper.
A blessing of Hurricane Irene’s aftermath may be for us to acknowledge our dependence on God, and adjust our attitudes and habits, so our faith in God is an ever present reality in our lives. It will be well worth it, for all of us.
Preached on September 4, 2011
At Ginter Park United Methodist Church
By The Reverend Dorothy McNeer O’Quinn