What Fills in the Gaps? [version 2.0]

   Two weeks ago I asked, What fills in the gap for our congregation's dreams for the future? I want to press the question to a more personal level: What fills in the gaps in your life? Things don’t connect all the way, plans don’t work out, little fractures become larger ones. Often external forces, caused by others or by accident, push our plans off track and create gaps we never expected. What matters is the ‘substance’ that we use to fill in the gaps. It is true for organizations and true for our personal lives.
   Certainly no one predicted the events of last week. Those runners, exhausted from 26 miles of running, did not expect the explosions that maimed and killed. The onlooking families and fans did not expect two from their midst to deposit such devastating packages underfoot. Yet, at 2:50 PM all of our stories were suddenly different. The same could be said of the people of West, Texas in the moments before the deadly accident there. Things happen. We do not plan for them, but things happen nonetheless.
   Here is a question for those of us watching from Columbus. What fills in the gaps that these events leave in us? How do we fill in the blanks? Many of us followed along on Friday evening to see how the pursuit of the younger Tsarnaev would turn out. But when that story is over and we are left with unanswered questions, what is our response? Some of us jump to conclusions: it must be their family origins, their faith, or lack thereof. Some even appear to be reduced to hate. Is this the best we can do?

   When bad things happen what do you allow to occupy the new space created? When something or someone is taken from you, what do you allow to fill in the gap? When we don't know all of the answers - and we rarely ever do - what do we allow to take the place of the space in between? Do we extend grace? Are we forgiving? Do we assume the worst in others or consider another explanation? Jesus forgave a woman caught in sin, saw something in rag-tag fishermen worthy of a second chance, and even forgave those who tortured and killed him because he knew they did not know what they were really doing. No one expected Jesus' story to turn out the way it did. No one saw Easter coming like it did.
   Gaps happen. May we continue to fill in the gaps that life causes with substances worthy of the high calling we have as children of God. Faith, hope, and love would be a good place to start. Grace and Peace, Scott

Heroes Move Ahead

Our prayers go out to the victims, families, and citizens affected by the attacks in Boston Monday. Like the first disciples before Easter morning, afraid and confused in the wake of the crucifixion, may they receive peace from the God of Peace who makes things right and offers hope in dark places. Let us pray they are comforted and that they know they are loved.

   We watched and followed the news of Monday's attacks on innocent people with a sense of unrest and concern. I encourage all of us to pray for the victims and the perpetrators.  Whoever committed such crimes is in need of our prayers and Jesus specifically commanded us to pray for our enemies and those who would do us harm (read Matthew 5:39-48).
   People turn to each other in the face of tragedy and more than ever they are going online for both news, comfort and explanations. One of the popular posts on Monday referred to a quote from Mr. Rogers that said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" He is right. It might have taken only one or a handful of people to commit the destruction, but the streets were immediately filled with those who were moving, or even running, to help. Heroes Move Ahead.
   Such movement is not limited to tragic events, or those that fill the news channels. Bud Carroll is a hero to the lives he has changed in Hong Kong for five decades by living out the Good News. Meg Olive, who moved back home when she never thought she would, is a hero for her efforts to love and lead Columbus families out of poverty. Our church has silent heroes who gather on the last Thursday of every month to serve a meal to our neighbors. We have women and men who visit hospital rooms, write cards and make calls to check on those who otherwise can be forgotten too easily. Our pews are filled with quiet heroes who leave the sanctuary and move out to serve and love as God has instructed.
   Epworth is filled with movers. Not all of us are the movers and shakers as the world defines it, but everyone of us is called to move to where the need is and offer some aid. That is what heroes do. Heroes move ahead. God wants you to be a hero. Get up and get moving.
   Grace and Peace, Scott

What fills in the Gap?

   After the resurrection, Jesus led the disciples through a wonderful forty days of learning, worshiping and praying. The plans executed by the Romans and Jews left the first leaders of the early church in a gap they had never anticipated: preparing to carry out the mission of Jesus without Jesus around! 
   Gaps happen. Things don’t connect all the way, plans don’t work out, little spaces become larger ones. One thing does not always flow naturally into the next and a space occurs in between. Gaps happen. What matters is the ‘what’ that we use to fill in the gaps. 
   In February 2012, the leadership of Epworth presented to the congregation, a plan to purchase property, create access from Manchester Expressway, significantly improve our visibility in the community and expand our parking. Visibility and parking have long been two challenges before our congregation. This plan would address both and use money already in our possession that was designated for just such capital improvements. The church supported the plan with 87% of our membership in favor of it.
   Despite our best efforts, gaps have come up in the plan. The largest gap is the speed and ability of the sellers to obtain ‘clear title’ to the property we contracted with them to purchase in September of last year. They must go through a legal process (one we are told might take 8-12 weeks) involving public notification to any possible other owners before being in a position to sell. Our contract with them expired at the end of March. They have been in touch with us since then, but to date little progress has been made. We are being very cautious and I believe have acted as wise stewards throughout.
   Our church’s Building Committee has patiently waited and is readying to restart conversations around the ‘what next’ question that such gaps have created. The visibility and parking challenges remain. What other solutions address those? What is the best use of our saved resources? How many other areas of need could be addressed in the intervening time while this gap continues? What happens if the land becomes available next month or in six months?
   Gaps happen. The question before Epworth is what are we going to fill the gap with? My experience here is that leaders step in asking great questions, listening to the right people and leading in visionary directions. That needs to continue. I have a great deal of trust and appreciation for the leaders who have gone before us and those who are with us now. May we continue to fill in the gaps with a deep sense of God's leading that comes from listening and stepping out on faith.
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Easter

"Easter"

Sing, soul of mine, this day of days.

The Lord is risen.

Toward the sunrising set thy face.

The Lord is risen.

Behold He giveth strength and grace;

For darkness, light; for mourning, praise;

For sin, his holiness; for conflict, peace.

Arise, O soul, this Easter Day!

Forget the tomb of yesterday,

For thou from bondage art set free;

Thou sharest in His victory

And life eternal is for thee,

Because the Lord is risen.

Author Unknown, (Edward MacHugh's Treasury of Gospel Hymns and Poems, 1938)

   I treasure the collection of poems and clippings that my grandfather Carlton shared with my cousin, my brother and myself for our preaching ministry a few years ago before he passed away. This poem, that he used in his own ministry, speaks plainly to the Gospel call at Easter. Easter is about praise. Easter is is grounded in the reality of the resurrected Son of God. Easter offers the power to leave behind the past and be set free from that which binds us. Easter is the brilliant, beautiful, and perfectly-planned alternative to suffering and death that God offers to those who would believe.

   There is something to be said of being able to dust off an old poem and use it for a new day. The truth is that these truths remain. They are constant. Paul said when all else fails or falls away that faith, hope and love will remain. Easter is the very intersection of these three. 

   There is an sense in which each Easter, like each day, is to be treated as something new. Jeremiah declares the Lord's mercies "are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). Yet, there is also a part of me that believes the newness of that first Easter has never worn off. If it seems a distant memory, it is because we have forgotten. 

   This Easter, let us celebrate the truths that never fade away. Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Grace and Peace to you, Scott