Dear Burke UMC Friend,
Not long after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, pundits and politicos began talking about the inevitability of more attacks. Do you remember? The repeated phrase was, “It’s not a matter of if, but when.” Our natural impulses of caution and attentiveness were fanned into deep suspicion and fear.
That was wrong. You could call it “terrorism” of its own stripe, fanning the flames of fear and anxiety among a people desperate to hope. It was wrong even then to pronounce some particular dismal future for America inevitable. Declaring a particular vision “unavoidable” made a mockery of God, God who alone shapes the future, God who makes all things new.
Charles Allen is right: “When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.”
No, we won’t be naïve, but hope and possibility always abound. And ten years on we give thanks that no repeat attacks have occurred.
That’s why we can practice hospitality! Hospitality puts out the welcome mat to the future. Hospitality is placing our trust in God and opening the door to receive, without fear, what each fresh day can bring.
Hospitality is central to our faith. God is open-hearted and spread-armed, working for good in all things, working to bring blessing to the human race. God’s radical hospitality to the world is discovered in Jesus Christ. From birth to death and beyond, Jesus says, “Welcome. Welcome to the joy of resurrection life.”
We are set apart as a people of hope. Sometimes that hope is counter-cultural, but it’s always Biblical.
Welcome!
Grace and peace,
Larry
No comments:
Post a Comment