sermon excerpts: The Great One

Now that I'm back from a couple continuing education events, I'm trying to get things back to "normal". Apologies for the delay in posting the sermon excerpts...

At the conference I was at this past week, past Moderator of the United Church, the Very Reverend Peter Short, talked about what ministers need to do. Ministers and congregations need to let go of the top-down relationship where the minister is up higher because of education or experience or personality and the people are down below.

Too often, ministers complain that things would go so much better if the congregations did as they were told, because the minister does know better. Peter Short reminds us that we have to respect the people we work with. We are not bringing God to the people; God is already here. Job’s experience reminds us of that much.

We remember Job, everything he was going through. He’d lost everything in his life, all that he worked for – his crops, livestock, riches, his family, taken from him. He complains bitterly to God, his friends convinced Job was guilty of some unspeakable evil.

After 38 chapters of this, God finally answers, sort of. Because God doesn’t really answer the question. Instead we hear an impressively overwhelming list of everything that God is responsible for: the foundations of creation, the sky and seas, for rains fall on the dry ground, for ravens to fly and feed, for the stars to shine, and lions to prowl …

It is an indisputable and humbling set of facts that God trots out but it doesn’t address the question. Maybe that’s God’s way of saying, “you wouldn’t understand”. And we don’t understand and likely won’t in this lifetime.

We should take note that Job is not punished for his wondering or his doubt, he is merely reminded that it’s not just about him. There is more going on than what we experience. Even if it seems like God is shutting down the discussion, truth is revealed.

The source of all things is God. This is the reminder to Job that in spite of the circumstances of his life, there is an entire other creation to be concerned about. This happens to us in our lives when we something tragic or overwhelming happends and we need some time to stop and think about what’s going on. We all know of a time when we had to stop to mourn or grieve or make alternate plans.
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God is described in Job as an architect, contractor, plumber, electrician and all-round tradesman and interior decorator in the construction of the world. The same God who created the heavens and earth, sea and sky, is the same one who created each and every one of us. As overwhelming as God can seem when pulling the ultimate power trip, it bears remembering that we are one of God’s creations, down to the last detail.

God has done everything and we can’t do much in comparison. Our actions do have an effect. Our good ideas and acts of kindness and charity also have an impact on the world. We would not have a church in this community were it not for the work and will of ordinary, everyday people committed to their faith and care for others.

We are united with people seeking peace throughout all creation, in homes near and far: when Craig Kielburger was 12-years old, he led a movement against child labour, creating the Save the Children foundation and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Retired farmer Allan Slater has gone to Iraq as a Christian Peacemaker. Terry Fox began a run across Canada. All in the name of greatness – God’s greatness, serving others so that all creation may rejoice. We are part of that creation too and, like Job, we can complain or take action, or do both. We know the greatness of God’s majesty and power, let us also know the depth and strength of holy love.