Pastor Dan - August 2018
It was nice to get to the beach in Southern California. I had not been for some time and to just stand in the ocean, knee high, was a blessing. I eventually went out farther, but for about fifteen minutes, standing in the ebb and flow of the tide was sufficient to get reacquainted with this old friend of mine. It may seem odd that considering something so vast and expansive as seemingly a personal friend who has touched me in personal ways, but I have so many memories of being with the ocean, the ocean seems to be a friend to me. I found myself still talking to be honest, in a differing language, the ocean seems to communicate back. As I tried to keep my upper torso dry, my old friend ocean wanted to fully embrace me with its welcoming and so a wave came and made sure I experienced the full welcome of the ocean. (I did see the wave coming and thought about turning and running back to shallower water like a sissy, but I stood and took it and it was very refreshing.) It was as if the ocean was saying to me, “Welcome back my friend! Good to have you in my presence.” I thought a gentle pat on the back would have sufficed.
Can something so vast and expansive actually know us personally? Can something so deep and wide, that of which we can never see its fullness, actually care for us as a friend? I’m going out on a limb here and say… Yes! We have a great example in our midst. In the mystery of the Christ, we hear the Lord say, “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15; NRSV) Doesn’t that just blow you away? The One who created all things, including the vast and expansive ocean, chose us, you and me, to be friends of the Almighty Lord!! I do hope you are spending time listening and talking with your friend and Savior, the Lord Jesus.
As I said above, the ocean seemed to speak to me in a differing language as I spent time swimming, surfing and fishing in her waters. And just as the ocean speaks in a differing language, I have learned that the Lord speaks in a differing language as well. It is a language the comes forth from truth and this language is understood as we live together in faith. The language of God is rooted in the mystery of our faith. It is not coming forth from the realms of this world, but comes forth to shape the world as One who deeply cares for humanity and creation and shares in holiness and salvation for all. Our faith is a unique gift to ourselves, but it is also a unique gift given to us that we may share with all. “You did not chose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:16)
Please, please…. Keep the faith.
In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Dan