Well, here we are in the thick of the NFL playoff season. By the time you read this we may be down to only 2 teams bound for the Super Bowl. But as I write this we are at 4 teams: San Francisco, New York, New England, and Baltimore. Are they the teams you thought would still be in the race? Is your team still in it? Or did your team not even get into the playoffs? Or do you follow multiple teams? Some of us choose our teams because of geography: wherever we live we support that team. Some of us choose a team because of a player we like or a coach we like or another city we like or colors or mascots or whatever. We also sometimes decide to dislike teams for the same reasons. I don’t like the Patriots primarily because of the coach. The bottom line is we may not even know why we like or dislike certain teams, we just do. Sometimes it’s just a feeling. And ultimately, of course, our likes and dislikes as far as the NFL, or similar things, is concerned, are inconsequential. Not so our faith.
So then, how is it with our faith? There are many components of our faith. John Wesley said our faith is informed by scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Because each of us is unique, our “Wesleyan quadrilateral” will have different dimensions. Some of those informants of our faith will exert greater influence on our faith than others. We’re all different. We can also look at the various things we do that are part of our faith. For example, worship on Sunday mornings, Bible study, prayer, mission work, and so forth are things we do in response to, and as part of, our faith. For some of us, Sunday morning worship is the highlight of the week. For others it is our weekly prayer group, for others it is Bible study, and so on.
While we may never have examined why we like or dislike certain teams in the NFL, or certain books, or certain TV shows, for example, have we ever examined our faith to try to understand better why certain aspects of it are so significant for us? As we prepare to enter the season of Lent (it begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22; we will have a worship service that evening at 7 pm), I invite you to do a little introspection. In looking at your faith, can you identify where the significance comes from? For example, if worship is really your center point, why is that the case? Do you simply like being in the presence of God? Is it the other people who are gathered with you? Is it the music? Is it praying with others? Is it the opportunity to offer yourself to God? This season is a good time to explore this.
And we can consider this from the other side as well. Are there obstacles that hinder your participation? Do you find Bible study a little tedious? How can that be overcome? Some of our obstacles become less of an issue if we explore what the issue really is. Sometimes we simply need to be more open to what God might reveal to us as we participate in the expressions of our faith. God’s revelations are powerful and can come from a variety of sources. As we journey together through Lent, I hope you will explore your faith. What things really make it for you? What things do you need to see from a new perspective perhaps? As we open ourselves to God we may find obstacles removed that allow us to live our faith more meaningfully. May this be a season of transformation for you. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:2).
May God bless you during this season.
Pastor Tad
