CAPA Corner

    Friends, would you like to receive a revelation?  Anytime God speaks to us our lives change.  I hear a lot of people say they wish they could know more about the events in Jesus’ life.  Bishop Will Willimon says, “some wish they could know less.”  The fact that Jesus hung out with prostitutes and sinners and critiqued the religious folk of the day seems enough of a challenge to us who are cautiously religious.  
    Revelation has never been something I have deliberately chosen.  I certainly want God to speak to me, but I know that when God does my life will be led beyond anything I could have ever dreamed.  You might say, “Wow beyond my dreams?”  Yes, definitely beyond what I could dream if you mean that my life will be lead to contrast some of the common assumptions of our society. Our society says the ones who have are the ones who have God’s blessing. Our society says the ones who have not do not have God’s blessing.  Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20).   What a revelation!  Is there any joy found in the turning of our lives to adjust to living in such a different way?  Is there any good news given in this overturning, disorienting message?  Yes, the good news is that our worth is not wrapped up in our assets. Our worth is wrapped up in the fact that we have all been made children of God by the gift of God in Jesus Christ.   
    I pray that God’s hold on us would cause us to live more justly when we recognize that there are those we employ who are not earning a living wage.  I pray that God’s hold on us would cause us to live more generously as we realize that there are those here at home and throughout the world who are in need of the basics of life.  I pray that God’s hold on us would cause us to be in mission and in ministry with the poor who Jesus says are blessed.  The good news is that God’s grace is found in such an embrace to help us to live justly and generously.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!     
With Joy, Jonathan King
Associate Pastor, Blackwater UMC