Leaving a Mark

Earlier this summer, as I was touring the church camps within the Mountain Sky Area, I drove through Nine Mile Canyon in Utah. It is known as “the world’s longest art gallery” due the thousands of ancient petroglyphs left by the Fremont culture and Ute people. Some of the images tell stories, others are of individual people or animals. It is a beautiful, haunting place to visit.

Ever since the beginning of time, humans have tried to leave their mark in the world. Whether through the scratching of pictures on stone, the etching of initials on a tree, or graffiti on the side of the building, there is something in us that compels us to say, “I WAS HERE!”

Last week I worshipped in my home church. Sitting in that familiar place that raised me in the faith, I was flooded by so many memories—Christmas Eve candlelight services, when we’d sing “Silent Night” a cappella as the light of Christ was passed throughout the colonial church to light our individual candles, giggles shared with high school friends in the choir loft during worship, the felt boards in Sunday School that told various Bible Stories, youth group meetings where we shared communion together in the dark, musty basement of the church…

But more than that, I thought of the people who had lived out their faith commitment by mentoring others, in particularly children and youth like me. I thought of Sunday School teachers (some of whom are still there!), youth group leaders, choir directors, and pastors. Some have joined the Church Triumphant, yet I can picture them as clearly as if we just saw each other. The impact they left on my life—and the life of countless others—lives on. Even though their earthly journey is over, they were HERE and made a difference that continues in the lives of those of us they nurtured and mentored.

What mark will you leave behind? Will there be more than a marking stone at your grave to let the world know you were here? Are you being intentional about what you will leave behind in the lives you currently touch? How are you helping them shape their future?

2 Timothy 2:2 reminds us “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also.”

Mentor others in the faith that has grounded and guided you. It will be your living legacy as those you touch live it out and share it with others as well.

Building Up The Body of Christ

Sunday’s epistle lesson is Ephesians 4: 1-16. Paul continues to teach the Ephesians about how to live into a common life as the body of Christ. God continues to widen the circle of believers—through Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile claim the name of Christ--and the tensions of difference strain their life together.  Paul calls for a deep humility, a mature faith, and a grounding in love so that what is shared in the midst of the differences builds up rather than tears down.

I think of the current state of our nation and our church. Words that hurt are hurled with alarming regularity. Some claim a moral superiority over others. Others claim the “truth” with a warriorlike orientation rather than through actions that are invitational and instructive.

We need to reclaim the lessons of Paul, who reminds us that God has woven diversity into the Christian community—it is a necessary element if the body of Christ is to be whole and vibrant:

“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4: 15-16)

Is your congregation living into this truth? Are you welcoming the variety of gifts each person brings into your shared life and ministry? Is your expression of faith marked by “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”? (Ephesians 4:2)

I read a tweet today that offered wise instruction on how to live this out: “Every person you meet in an expert in something you most likely know nothing about. Let them help you broaden your horizons.” (@QueerEye on Twitter)

When you go to church, open yourself to the wisdom around you. Watch and see how God is working in the lives you may have overlooked. Listen to the wisdom of someone you may have dismissed. This is how we grow together. This is how unity deepens. This is how the Body of Christ is made visible in our world.