Keep Showing Up!
When everything feels like it is falling apart…and today it is literally and figuratively falling apart one must remember the words of Paul from Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Honestly this is one of my go to verses in the Bible, and it is the scripture for the upcoming worship service on Sunday. This passage has a lot of great words and phrases that are connected to the ideas of how to live when life is difficult. I looked up three of the best words in the passage from Romans 12:9-12: patient, persevere and ardent. To be patient is to remain steadfast under pressure. To persevere is to keep showing up! To be ardent is to keep your passion for what matters. Being patient is one of my achilles heels. It is something I have had to work long and hard on my entire life, which has become increasingly harder in a world that expects immediate answers and results. I think that I have always been the type to persevere, I don’t give up easily, I am loyal and even when I don’t always want to show up, I will. But to be ardent now that is interesting.
When I think about Robertson-Wesley I see passion for all sorts of different things. Some people are very passionate about the diversity that is here, and how rich that makes this place and the work that we all do together. Others are passionate about justice for the environment and equal rights and equity in the world which is one of the ways we answer God’s call. Others are passionate about the building and space which has served this community for over 110 years and is a sacred space in the urban jungle that has emerged around it. I think that this passion for living a life worthy of God’s calling by serving one another in love is what helps us to keep showing up! I was noticing this past week, just how many people are here throughout the week, doing their part and making a difference in each other’s lives. It is heart warming. I see people laughing and having fun, or comforting and listening to people who are struggling. Just take a look at the latest edition of Between the Aisles and you will see what I mean! I came across this saying on my social media recently which said, “If we could spread love as quickly as we spread hate and negativity, what an amazing world we would live in.” Isn’t that precisely what Jesus is calling us to do? Spread the love! We are not called by Jesus to wait for the world to be more loving before you live lovingly.
It makes me think a little of Ted Lasso, a great character on one of the most popular TV shows on Apple TV these days. In the show, what changes the team isn’t one big heroic act. It is people gradually learning to show up for one another. They notice each other, encourage each other, challenge each other, forgive each other, and eventually discover that they are better when everyone participates. Maybe that is part of what I have been noticing around Robertson-Wesley lately. It isn’t one person or one program that makes this community what it is. It is a whole lot of people showing up and doing their bit. And there is always room for another person to show up. Maybe you have a passion that could be used somewhere to go. Maybe you have an hour to give, an idea to share, a gift that hasn’t been used in a while, or something you would simply like to try. You don’t have to change the world all by yourself. Just show up. Be patient. Persevere. Stay passionate about what matters. And together, maybe we really can spread love a little faster.
Blessings, Rev. Karen