Calling in the Context of Collapse

Intro –

Over the next three months we will be reading and unpacking Parable of the Sower. We are studying this fictional story of collapse to help us have insight into our time. We will also draw from examples of collapse in the Bible (because there are quite a few) and particularly the collapse in Egypt. Reminder of the Prelude Sermon

Preface –

Collapse can bring anxiety. The moment we are in is an anxious one. An appeal to folks about how we should delve into this reading in a way that faces reality without getting caught up in anxiety, despair and scarcity. We read Philippians 4:4-9 when Paul is in jail and writing to the congregation in Philipi. He is in jail so he has some street cred in sharing these four reminders:

1.     Ground yourself in gratitude – yes there are things that need to shift, AND how do you also function from a place of knowing what you have. (Parable Praxis – things are rough but they are not as bad as they are in the book!)

2.     Be gentle with others. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed we lash out, we want to blame someone. Our anxiety is not an excuse to ignore God’s command to love our neighbor (When we see folks attacking and demonizing others; we cannot participate in that same practice – which is very hard but a must. We have to show and live a different way. Our gratitude prayer - Thank you God for showing me the ugly side of that so I can avoid it.)

3.     Hand your worries to God! – This is not an invitation to denial. We name the concerns but we don’t obsess about them. This might be the toughest part because sometimes I believe in my God-given right to worry. All of us are called to practices that center us and grow our faith in God. In some instances, therapy and even medication may need to help us break out of loops of anxiety or depression.

4.     Focus more time on the true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise things. Seems like overkill, but he is underlining the point – whatever you nurture will grow. So don’t ignore the bad things but give more of your time to the things that are good. (Don’t ruminate on the negative events, see where the positive is flourishing.)

The coming weeks are likely to be intense in the world, in our country, on our jobs, etc. I want to remind you of this. And if you get caught I invite you to go  back to this sermon to be reminded – you will likely need it.

The Core Themes We Will Explore Throughout this Study:

1. There is Always A Word From God – There is Always Calling in Chaos – It is not that God has abandoned us, but sometimes we really have to be forced to let go of the status quo.  It could really be worse. We see what could happen and we have the opportunity to bend the arc towards justice. Collapse is happening but not as quickly as it could and the Holy Spirit is always moving.

Octavia - futurist so that we can critically engage with the possibility and be intentional in our action.

2. The Trappings of the Church standing in the Way of Jesus - Lauren is following the way of Jesus but doesn’t really know it. Something new is needed but it doesn’t require abandoning Christianity but letting go of bad theology and getting back to the core.

Jesus really does get it right but we have added a whole bunch on to it and it is time to get back to basics. When the added stuff prevents folks from seeing the core message of Jesus it is a problem

3. Kin(g)dom- Relationships and community are the foundation. Reimagining kin is necessary. Having family is core but it doesn’t have to look like nuclear family. In fact that doesn’t work for the context and moment we are in..

Growing up at St. Paul I called everyone Brother and Sister. It was us manifesting God’s plan in our language. 

4. Those on the Margins Shall Lead (The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth) – The fact that they are predominantly PoC is not an accident. The new ways will be led by folks for whom the system has not worked well. Folks who are able to most release the status quo and be vulnerable and resilient.I am not calling on us to be a “Black church” but to root ourselves in the Black Spiritual Tradition because it is formed by people with Their Backs Against the Wall

Song – The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Reflection Questions:

1.       As we read this book in the midst of chaotic times – how can you protect your spirit from anxiety or overwhelm? What practices do you need to stay grounded in gratitude and hope?

2.       What is your theology about collapse? Put simply - How to do you make sense of the fact that the world feels like it is falling apart AND there is loving God? How do you want to explore this during our collective read?

3.       With all the chaos – where do you feel God’s presence or hear God speaking? What are you clear about? What questions are you struggling with?