Jan 14, 2018
...Beloved, God has work for you to do together as followers of Jesus who invite other to come and see. You you’re not perfect— so you’re fallible— we all are. And have what you need to spread the grace of God. You have been equipped.You are prepared. You are empowered by the Spirit. You are created for this. As the Psalmist reminds us, ‘you have been searched out and known, your thoughts have been discerned, God knows every word on your lips and is acquainted with all your ways’ And “[you] are marvelously made.” “[You] are marvelously made.” You are a marvel of God’s creation. You and God have got this.
You’ve heard me say this before— there are walking miracles in this place. I have heard your stories, I have been at your beside and seen it my own eyes. As I look out today, I am struck with the truth that there will continue to be miracles among you of various kinds. As Bishop Claude Payne says, we are a people of miraculous expectation. For the well from which we draw is not our own strength or ability of even faithfulness. We draw from the Living Water. And this is both for our good—our joy— and for God’s glory.
I share with you again today one my favorite quotes from Phillip Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts, who died one year before this building began: "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle. "
Beloved people of Grace, fellow fallible followers of Jesus, you shall be the miracle.