First Lutheran Church recently issued the following announcement.
What do you like to do when you're on vacation? (Besides relax, of course!) Here's a picture of the bikes we're riding while on vacation. I've ridden every day at least once, sometimes twice.
A cool thing happned yesterday as I was riding on a gravel trail through a dense section of maritime forest. Up ahead, I saw three people walking toward me. It's a trail I've been on before, so I slowed down to pass (it's narrow), and noticed two of them were carrying long sticks, and all three of them were on my side of the trail, which was unusual. "Good Morning!" I called out. "Good Morning," they replied as I approached... "and watch out for the snake" as they pointed toward it, where they had just passed. "Oh! Thanks!" I said, "stay safe and thanks again." I called back to them as I headed down the trail.
I was grateful. There are so many tree roots on that trail, it's hard to see a dark snake. It was about 4 feet long and I don't think it was poisonous. But without their warning, I easily could have run over the snake, and maybe even been bitten.
While I can't say, "God put them there for me, personally" (because otherwise, I'd have to explain why God DOESN'T help others with far worse dangers), I'm still grateful they were "Christ" to me, by offering me warning, safety and care. I don't have to explain God's "role" in order to appreciate when a fellow human is Christ-like in expressing care and concern. All I can do is be thankful, and try to live gratefully (by doing the same for others.) And it also didn't matter what that other person believes about Jesus or God.
Which brings me to the second picture... the book I'm reading this week, THE UNIVERSAL CHRIST, by Richard Rohr.
What do you think of when you hear the word "Christ?" It was not Jesus' last name. Rather, it was a title and a role that we Christians believe Jesus lived and embodied.
As Rohr points out, "Christ" is an expression of God that has been part of Creation since the beginning of time, and shows how God takes part in God's world every day, all the time. It's really a lens through which we look which INCLUDES Jesus, but isn't limited to the human life of Jesus alone. God's "Christ-Life" happened in Jesus, but also can happen to us through others, through the natural world, and even IN and THROUGH us as we embody Christ for others.
Rohr also points out the idea of "Christ" always works to include, not exclude... and expands God's grace rather than putting boundaries and limits on God.
Prayer starters... What does "Christ" mean to me?
Where might I see "Christ" at work around me today?
How might I be "Christ" for someone else this week?
What does it mean to say I am a part of the "Body of Christ" right now?
How has grace impacted my life this week? Am I living gratefully?
Blessings on your week. Be kind, stay safe, and know that you are loved, always.
-- Pastor Jay
Original source can be found here.
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