Be a Part of the Movement

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Neither did Jesus’ life. But your life can be full of power and purpose. Be a part of the movement!

Unfinished Business

This past Tuesday I had the pleasure of having dinner with John Cobb Jr. He is perhaps the greatest theologian, a Christian thinker and writer, to have taught at Claremont School of Theology, my Alma mater. It was a bittersweet time. We were commemorating the last Reformation Day remembrance at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont. In May 2020 the school of Theology will be decommissioning the chapel and school buildings as they sell the land pull up stakes and move to Oregon as they merge with Willamette University. All over the United States seminaries and schools of theology are selling their land and looking for academic institutions to merge with as they are unable to sustain themselves with low student enrollment. For thinkers like John Cobb and for scores of alumni such as myself it is a difficult reality to face because there is so much unfinished business. There is so much work to be done to interpret the wisdom of our faith to new and challenging times. 

What unfinished business do you have? There are big dreams and projects that you probably wish to see happen in your lifetime like writing a book, learning a new skill, or an experience you wish to share with a friend or loved one. Don’t forget about the mundane laundry list of things to do too: like cleaning the garage, making home improvements, and…well…doing the laundry. I am sure that you too have unfinished business.

Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan

You have unfinished business because life doesn’t go according to plan. Things happen that disrupt your best laid plans and visions for what you hope to accomplish. Jesus warns us about this when he said,

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Luke 6:24-26

In other words it doesn’t matter how secure you might think your future or your present is, you cannot stop disruption to your plans and the upheaval of the landscape of your life.

Today on All Saints Sunday it is pointedly and poignantly clear that disruption and loss are a painful part of life. Today we pause to remember those who have died in the past year. Death is the ultimate sobering reality that you have unfinished business because life doesn’t go according to plan. 

Jesus Life Didn’t Go According to Plan

Jesus life didn’t go according to plan either. When he was at the end of his days just hours before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion he cried out to God his Father in prayer, “Father if you are willing take this cup of suffering away” Luke 22:42. Even Jesus who was the ultimate servant and supremely generous wrestled with the fact that his earthly life would be cut short. I imagine he had plans too. Maybe he wanted to travel and see more of the world with his disciples. Surely he had more to teach. Yet Jesus didn’t shirk away from death. He completely poured himself out as a sacrifice for you, giving you eternal life and the forgiveness of sin. We look to Jesus short but powerful life and death has something that changed the fabric of the universe. 

Your Life Can Be Full of Meaning

Jesus spoke about this power and blessing available to each of us when he spoke you as a disciple in the Sermon on the Plain:

The good news is that just as Jesus’ life and death was full of power and meaning, so can your life. Your life, and the life of your loved ones can be full of power and meaning even though it hasn’t gone according to plan and there is unfinished business. Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,” the inheritance is to have a life full of power and meaning like Jesus. 

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. Luke 6:20-23

Jesus invites you to make your life full of power and meaning by being a part of something bigger than yourself; to be a part of a movement that brings God’s kingdom of justice into the world. Jesus said:

27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31

Be a Part of the Movement

This is an invitation to be a part of a movement. All Saints Day is about remembering our loved ones who are now with the Lord, and especially how they gave their life to God to be a part of God’s movement in the Universe. Saints are people who give their life to God’s movement. Give your life to God’s movement.

This past week I was honored to have dinner with John B Cobb at Claremont School of Theology. Since I had the wonderful good fortune to sit next to him. I asked him about some of the books I have been reading, and how they relate to Process Theology. He nodded his approval and encouraged me to keep reading and thinking and making connections with Process Thought. I asked him if he hoped that more people would connect their thinking with his system of thought. He shook his head and said, “no.” He said that it’s not about being in the same system, it’s about being in the same movement. A broad movement of people who give their lives to serve God and bring about God’s kin-dom. Saints. Lives full of power and purpose. Each generation helping to finish God’s unfinished business in the world Give your life to God. Be a part of God’s movement. Be on of the great cloud of witnesses and saints who give their life to God. Amen.