During a coffee visit Sunday afternoon, I was exploring with my guest how differently we find ourselves responding to different worshiping communities. There seems to be an undertone which evokes emotions from us. She was sharing her reaction to an undertone which involved a plea to bring others into the fold.
What is the undertone for the community we share? What is the end toward which we are moving?
I hope it is these words from Paul.
The reason we are here is because we have been invited. More than invited, called. We have been sought out and claimed and given a name and an identity. We do not need to fear or be afraid of not having a place or a people or purpose.
"Here," we are encouraged to live. To lead a life worthy of this call. My years of ministry have brought me to the conclusion that transgressions are seldom born out of rebellion; they arise out of fear. We become fearful of the worthiness of the call and we act in a way which we (mistakenly) think might bring us some pleasure or comfort or acclaim. "Here," what we are called to do is live. A life worthy of the calling which is ours.
Undertones are often difficult to parse out. They are also too often part of ourselves which remains un-examined or unstated. We can't easily speak of that which is taken for granted and assumed. The visitor or new new arrival is often better at helping us hear our own undertones. Being clear about them avoids confusion or conflict. Consider them, and allow your emotions to inform you actions. Make sure your spiritual life is being nurtured by that which lies at the heart of the communities where you gather.
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