Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
I joined a group of pastors last week and the question arose about feeling God in the present. Most of us answered that knowing God is always present is absolute, but feeling God in the present is a definite place for growth. Sunday morning I had a discussion with parishioners about this same question, “When have you felt God’s presence in your life?” I was struck by some of the answers. In the long run, like with the pastor group, I found people mostly using language of the head (knowing) rather than language of the heart (feeling). I am not trying to belittle or undermine what it is to know the truth of God and of God’s presence in our lives. I would just like to also bring to your attention the importance of feeling God’s presence in our heart, soul, and bones. This is a more mystic approach to interacting with God, but in the Lutheran tradition it is commonly thrown to the side because it is uncomfortable. What does it mean to feel God’s presence? Can you think of a time when you felt overcome with a deep sense of awe, peace, love, or feeling God right there with you? There’s a story from a previous parishioner of feeling God literally pushing her in the back to go see her friend who may not live to see the next day. She felt God pushing her to be her friend’s support. Upon her arrival her friend thought she was an angel telling her to keep fighting. Her body miraculously recovered thanks to doctors, but also thanks to her body’s newfound spiritual determination to be healed. Personally speaking, I remember the feeling and fire of God’s call to “do something!” upon listening to my home pastor’s sermon. I don’t remember the sermon but I definitely remember the feeling. This is the same feeling which grew into a full blown call to ministry. For our high school youth who were surrounded by 30,000 kids just like them praising God, you have no choice but to feel God’s presence. In the middle of silent prayer and meditation you can feel God helping you answer the questions on your heart. God’s presence and direction in my life is often seen in hindsight. I look back at moments in my life and I can see how God was with me, supporting me, and loving me. Hindsight is all well and good, but I strive to maybe listen and feel God in the moment better. This means allowing myself to welcome interruptions. This means making time to pray God rather than trying to find it. This means accepting God’s hand and direction in my life at all times. In the moment asking how God might be calling me to share the Love shown to us for others. This means constantly thanking God for the gift of the spectacular now. This is a growth area for me and perhaps it is a growth area for you. Please take a look at the ‘Points to Ponder’ to see if there is anything you would be willing to try to be more active in feeling God’s presence. Blessings and peace be with you always!!!! Point to Ponder:
Please note: If you want to watch a good movie (and love Miles Teller) give ‘The Spectacular Now’ a chance. It’s a high school Romance drama worth your time.
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Too often I have heard of colleagues being told to not bring politics into the pulpit by parishioners. Many times this reaction comes when a preacher repeats Jesus' words in response to something happening in the world today. While it is true that one cannot tell you who to vote for from the pulpit (unless you want your non-profit status stripped), this statement about politics in the pulpit makes the false assumption that Jesus was not political. Political From Birth Even before he could speak the Magi and Israelite scholars pointed very clearly to the Messiah being born underneath a star in the town of Bethlehem. “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:1-6) Why was Herod scared? He was not worried about Jesus, the Messiah. He was worried about Jesus, the proposed king and true heir of David. (Even though Herod was king of the Israelites, his family was a group of outsiders who converted to Judaism. They were not true heirs of King David.) He sent his men to murder all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and younger to try to rid the world of the boy who was his political opponent (Matthew 2:16). Clear View on Leadership Jesus made it clear about what it means to rule and be a leader. It is not done with force and lording power over others. It is done through service. “Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28) This is an interesting message for the political leaders of their time and for our political leaders today. Leading is done by serving others rather than ourselves. Jesus’ Kingdom Talk Was Political Jesus spoke time and again of the coming Kingdom of God/Heaven. As a person living underneath the rule of an empire imagine how this might be received? Jesus is openly speaking of a realm that will come and take over the world. A realm which favors the poor, welcomes the outcast, heals the sick, loves the enemy, uplifts the oppressed, feeds the hungry, blesses those who are weeping, says woe to the rich who seek to sit on their money instead of using it to help those in need, says woe to those who are full and do not share their food, and says woe to those laughing at those who mourn. (Luke 6:20-26) Jesus does not just promise this to us, but he also asks that we help prepare the Kingdom of God/Heaven as we await the return of Christ. In the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46) Jesus makes a claim about who is in the right and who is in the wrong. Those in the right looked after those in need. In fact, by serving the hungry, thirsty, and homeless Jesus makes the claim that you are actually serving Jesus, himself. Those in the wrong ignored the troubles of the oppressed, outcasts, and thus, Jesus, himself. Let Us Strive To Follow Jesus Please note these words from Jesus as you think about how our government is run. Many might point to the sheep and goats parable and Jesus’ words to be about individual acts. While he is talking to individuals I think it is important that we do not miss out on the big picture. What would it look like if on a large scale we could try to get as close to the Kingdom of God/Heaven as possible? What if we voted and spoke out for leaders that seek to actually serve others rather than themselves? What if we actually would strive, vote, help, and advocate in ways that actually supported our fellow humans who suffer? In the midst of this government shutdown over a wall I invite you to think about these questions and words from Jesus. While our government continues to be shutdown Jesus’ political view of love for all people continues on for the followers of Christ to share. Points to Ponder:
Too often it seems New Year’s resolutions start with self-hate:
What do you not like about yourself? (Body? Personality? Job? Friends?) Now change it. While this may work for some people, it usually winds up meaning busy gyms, better attitudes, and a new job search for the first two weeks of January. This is then followed by a week of feeling down about failing the resolutions and 49 weeks of forgetting you even had one. The New Year’s Resolution that I think we be more helpful for this coming year is to invest. More importantly and specifically, invest in God’s love. Investing in God’s love does not mean having faith in Jesus. This resolution is actually for those who already have faith in Jesus the Christ. This is for those who, like the shepherds and wise men, understand the all-powerful and all-saving Jesus. If you believe in Jesus and believe what he has done for us through the cross and resurrection then my challenge would be to invest in that love. Why? Because if you believe in God’s all-powerful love then you know the returns on that love are out of this world (some might say, “Heavenly”). What does it mean to invest in God’s love? When I say invest I do not mean only money. Investing connotes devoting time, energy, and effort towards God’s unfailing love. This is done through prayer, meditation, fasting, worship, reading the Bible, and any other spiritual practice that brings you closer to God. This means investing in Jesus’ commission to love our neighbors as he loved us (John 13:34). This means investing in ourselves too, because God loves us as individuals, too (Romans 5:8). God loves you so much he sent his Son to die for you. God loves everyone around you so much that he sent his Son to die for them too. Try investing in that love a little more this year. This means focusing more time towards God and others. This is a resolution that does not seek to belittle or demean. It is a resolution with the reward of getting to be with God and help others. May God bring you peace, blessings, and presence in 2019!!!! Points to Ponder:
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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