Photo credit here
S (Scripture): Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. 9 Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? 10 Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? 11 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.
O (Observation): Jesus continues to teach his disciples about the Way. This Way is what God has been about since the beginning of Creation. Treat others as you would want them to treat you.
Seek. Knock. Ask. Find.
The door is open to all who ask.
This is the Way, even as the Law and Prophets testify. God gives food to all who seek. God does not give out harmful judgment.
A (Application): Notice that Jesus doesn’t say that one must go through a survey, a set of doctrinal beliefs, or be “clear” of any social stigmas before one can receive the grace they seek.
And even if those who seek God come with stigmas or behaviors that are harmful, the hope is that God would move them to repentance (um, yes, that includes every single person ever). Upon repentance, one’s life is changed. But ALL of that work of transformation, to die to yourself and selfishness, and to be raised in Christ is the work of the Spirit. And the best way to help all people to get to this point…to get close enough to hear God’s words of grace, is to be a place (a congregation) that truly welcomes and affirms ALL people. (Oh yeah…that repentance is a daily thing. No “one and done.”)
Some say that because our congregation has this open and welcoming and affirming stance that we “really aren’t a church.” This stance comes not because we just want people to “feel good” about themselves. RATHER, BECAUSE we have a God who loves us right where we are, because The Spirit calls us to seek out God, we purposefully welcome all people to come and be a part of life in our congregation, and we hope they will welcome us into their lives. That we may be one, just as God and Jesus are one.
Straight or gay, trans- or not, questioning, people of color, white people, old, young, male, female, faith, no faith, atheist….all are welcome to be a part of Advent Lutheran Church. So says our Statement of Welcome. Because our God takes us all in. Because we are all broken. Because none of us “has it all together.” Because we all have a plank in our own eye. Because we have a loving God who acts like a good parent to us all.
Yes, you are welcome. God seeks a relationship with you. Seek. Knock. Ask. Find what you are looking for.
P (Prayer): God, break down our hearts of stone. Give us hearts for love alone. Amen.
P.s. I am very proud that our congregation has hosted the first ever PFLAG- Murfreesboro meeting last night. (PFLAG stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. This is a safe space for folks to have conversation, ask questions, and mutually support one another.)
Advertisements Share this:
