Hebrews 10:23-25
The film-maker, Woody Allen, once
said, “80% of life is just showing up.” Whether we like his films or not, he
just might have something there. When I talk with businesspeople and restaurant
owners, I often ask, “What is the greatest frustration of your work?” Almost
without exception: Workers don’t show up.
We value presence in our society.
Recently, two of my grandsons received high-attendance awards at their schools.
We celebrate being present.
When I was a professor in college,
I could tell my students without hesitation that the secret to passing my class
(and most college classes) was simple: show up + do the work.
Presence is an important habit…and
it is among those ‘holy habits,’ part of ‘religious rhythm’ in our lives. Along
with prayer, giving, using our talents, and telling our stories, being present
is important.
For those who were present the
Sunday I shared this message, I was very obviously “preaching to the choir,”
but maybe there is something new to be learned about ‘presence,’ so stay with
me.
Why be present? First, as followers
of Jesus, we are present because Jesus was. He showed up (Luke 4:16). Second,
when we go to the Psalms (and many other parts of Scripture), we find God’s
people gathering and being called to gather (see Psalm 27:4, Ps. 122:1; Ps.
133). We find that they and we gather 1) to give thanks to God for the gift of
grace and 2) to receive the gift of mercy—forgiveness for our sins. Then, we
come to Hebrews 10:23ff, and here we find a new reason for gathering.
In former churches, I have heard
people say, “Well, I just don’t get a lot out the service…” or “I don’t really
like organized religion (what, you like chaos?!), I worship God alone in
nature….”
When we read Hebrews, we find the
third compelling reason to gather, to “meet together”: to stir up one another
to love and good works…to encourage one another. Do you see it? We gather not
for ourselves but for those who are around us. When we gather, you encourage
me, and I encourage you. You share your load with me, and I share mine with
you. Sometimes, one of us is worn and weary, and it’s a one-way sharing—and
that is fine, too. But, we don’t gather for what we can get out of the service;
we gather for what we can bring to each other. If we could effect that shift in
our thinking, how different gathering, being present might be: We gather not
for what it does for me, but for what we can offer one another in the life of
faith.
So, we pray for one another—for
God’s grace and mercy in each other’s lives, for God to open doors, provide healing, and bring peace. And, we show up—we are present for one another so we can be stirred
up and encouraged. Let’s encourage one another to live into these holy habits
of Christian life. Amen.
Sunday, September 29,
2024
“A Church Strong: Presence”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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