From the Pastor |
I have only been a pastor for a little over 5 years now, but these past two days have been the most difficult for me. I have presided over MANY funerals since my appointment, but none was more difficult than the one today. Today we laid to rest a young, young man (19) who made the choice to die rather than to live with whatever was causing his pain and hopelessness.
It was heart-breaking. Not only for the family, but for myself as well. As a mother, my greatest dread is to have to bury one of my children and I cannot even imagine the pain his mother must be feeling now... especially to lose a child in these circumstances. I agonized over what to say, what to do that might bring an ounce of comfort to a family that is emotionally devastated. I prayed for God to guide me and to work through me to try and bring this family and his friends just a small amount of peace. As I was thinking about our weekly service this Sunday, I kept going back to our reading from Romans 14: 10-12: "You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." I know that there will be many people who will judge this young man. Not only for the pain he has caused to those who love and care for him, but also some will judge him for this “unforgiveable” sin. A sin which he cannot repent from. I have to say that I have always struggled with ideas like that… that there are ANY unforgiveable sins. I am not God… I do not know the mind of God… I do not understand God’s thoughts or plans… so who am I to say that any sin is unforgiveable, even in death. I won’t mince words here. Suicide IS a sin! It is the taking of a life… needlessly… just like murder. However I do not believe that is the end of it for people who commit suicide. I have to say that this is not “doctrine”… this might not be “theology” backed by biblical scholars… what I am saying is simply what I have come to truly BELIEVE in my HEART! Scripture tells us that we will ALL, one day, stand before the Throne of Judgment. We will have to account for our words (Matthew 12:36) and our actions (Revelation 21:12). As Paul said: “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (Romans 14: 12) And “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2Corinthians 5:10) Jesus tells his disciples in John 14 that “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And I firmly believe this to be true. I also believe it is more involved than restricting it to meaning in this life alone. In my heart, I believe that when we face the throne of judgment, it is Christ seated on that throne for judgment has been given to Christ (see John 5: 22, 27). There have been many very good men and women throughout history that have NOT been Christian, and my heart struggles with the idea that their lack of faith would automatically damn them to the fires of hell. I think of Gandhi in this. Gandhi was a great man. He worked, peaceably for good. He strove to make a real difference in the world, yet he was not Christian. He studied the Bible extensively and the writings of many religions, yet never converted. He believed Jesus to be a great teacher and did not reject him or his teachings in any way. He never felt he had the “experience” with Christ many Christians told him about and he was disheartened by the fact that many Christians DID NOT act very Christ-like. When we come before Christ on the throne… those who have accepted Jesus… who have lived in faith have already been saved, but I think that this is the final chance for others. There are still many who will turn away. Whether because of the evil, greed, anger and/or hatred that fill their hearts or because of the guilt that might rack their souls… some WILL turn away and be condemned for it. I believe others will truly repent. Fall to their knees and ask for forgiveness… and it will be granted. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!
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Tell me… what kind of week did you have? Was it calm and quiet… or busy, busy, busy… or somewhere in between? As usual… it was a very busy week for me. It seemed like I was on the go each and every day. There was always another place to go… another thing to do… You know… sometimes it seems like it is never ending and it can become overwhelming! The fast paced life we live… the chaos and busyness that drives us often causes us to forget what is important… not only for our sanity… but also for our faith. Many times… those things that pull at us… that distract us from God are not bad things. Even when we are working to serve God, we can become so caught up in the “doing” that we forget to take time to simply be with God. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10… this is the lesson we learn from Martha and Mary. Martha welcomed Jesus into her house, and then set out to be a good hostess. She was working hard to fulfill the custom of hospitality. She was doing good work… trying her best to serve Jesus… but as Luke tells us “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Her sister Mary did NOT go to the kitchen to help, but instead… “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” Needless to say… this made Martha pretty angry. Here she was, trying to serve and her sister has left her to do all the work by herself. I have to say… I feel very sympathetic toward Martha. I sometimes get angry when I feel that I'm stuck doing all the work. I have surely said a few angry words in my life - very much like Martha did. But Jesus reminds Martha… and us… what is REALLY important when he said: “Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Mary chose what is better… to take the time to sit and listen at the Savior’s feet! This past week was a busy one for me and many times I kept hearing the same song over and over again... I think God was trying to tell me something! The song, “Breathe” by Johnny Diaz, reminds us of the truth we find in today’s gospel: The story of Martha and Mary tells us that there is tremendous value in sitting - in listening - in learning - in loving. Like Martha, we think the important thing is doing - but Jesus teaches us to sit - to listen - to learn - to love. We need to remember to regularly take the time to relax and sit at the Jesus’ feet… to just sit quietly in the presence of God. Jesus tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We need to take advantage of the “rest” that has been so freely offered to us. We get so caught up in doing we forget to just be. We forget to rest at His feet. Life gets crazy. We can slow down the hectic pace of daily life by taking time to just breathe. We live in a Martha world, but take time to be Mary for just a bit. Jesus says that that's the one thing that's needed. Life will only get crazier unless we remind ourselves to stop and just breathe. Slow down so we don’t miss the joy and the peace that our time sitting in God’s presence… focusing on God’s word can bring. Jesus provides peace…that rest…that refreshment for my soul. So, let’s slow down the craziness of life and fill our souls with His grace. And just breathe! |
Yeon Shin
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