All You Need Is Love
Stories
Object:
Contents
"All You Need is Love" by Keith Wagner
"Living Unafraid" by Keith Wagner
All You Need is Love
by Keith Wagner
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
In his letter to the Corinthians Paul was not talking to the world. This was not a global message on CNN to all the nations. This was a specific message to the Church at Corinth. Paul was speaking to people of the faith. They were divided. They were envious of one another. Some thought they were better than others. They were always comparing people, putting down those who were not important and arguing with those who had a different opinion. If Paul was going to make a difference in the world he had to start with the Church. So he used this letter to coach them. He encouraged them to be a model of God’s love, embodying peace and hope in a world of chaos and despair.
The love that Paul described was subtle. In other words it took place behind the scenes. It happened without fanfare or "noise." The following story illustrates this in a profound way.
In 2007, the columnist, Art Buchwald passed away. One time he told a story about a taxi ride he took in New York City with a friend of his. When they left the taxi, his friend told the driver: "Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving." The driver looked stunned for a moment and then asked if he was being a wise guy or something. His friend responded: "No, I'm not putting you on. I admired the way you kept cool in the heavy traffic." "Yeah", said the driver before pulling away.
Art asked his friend what that conversation had been all about. "I am trying to bring love back to New York", his friend answered. "I believe it's the only thing which can save the city." "How can one man save New York?" Art asked him. His friend answered: "It's not just one man. I believe I made that taxi driver's day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He's going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was pleasant to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually, the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn't so bad, is it?"
"But you're depending on that taxi driver to pass on your goodwill to others," Art said. "I'm not depending on it", Art's friend responded. "I'm aware that the system isn't foolproof. But if I interact with ten different people today and I make three of them happy, who knows where it could lead? Nothing is lost if the driver doesn't follow through. It didn't take any of my time to tell him that he was doing a good job. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? It didn't cost me anything to be pleasant to him. And tomorrow, there will be another taxi driver that I can try to make happy."
Art’s friend seems to have understood Paul’s message to the Corinthians. They were more filled with themselves than willing to extend love to others. They were proud of their spirituality but failed to apply the all important basic ethic of love. Art’s friend illustrated how love can be contagious. His positive approach of being kind and affirming to other people surely made a difference in the city of New York.
Paul’s message to Corinth reminds me of the movie, Pleasantville. The folks in Pleasantville were very nice people and everyone treated each other with kindness and respect. But, there was a problem. They were stuck in time, not willing to change. They had a nice, friendly little town but they weren’t in touch with their feelings. Women were second class citizens and children did not have the freedom to spread their wings or be themselves. It was a chauvinistic society where men had all the power.
The Corinthian Church was not unlike Pleasantville. There was an elite group who held all the power because of their so called, gifts of the spirit. They used them to separate themselves from the rest of the faith community. People were not equal, in fact, many were kept powerless.
When we truly love others we have to let go of power. In Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories for a Better World, the following story illustrates how letting go of power can make a difference.
A church in Central Pennsylvania was growing and they made plans for a Sunday school addition. The congregation didn’t have a lot of money but they had many willing workers. At a planning meeting there were two men with careers in construction. They had a difference of opinion of whether or not to use plastic or copper for the plumbing. The conflict escalated into a heated debate. The pastor felt responsible for assuring good communication and when it was inevitable that the conflict was not going to be resolved, he suggested everyone go home and they could reconvene the next evening.
The pastor prayed and agonized over the conflict between two of his parishioners, fearful that both families might leave the church and fearful that the building program would never be completed. He rehearsed over and over again what he would say and thought about several options to resolve the dispute.
The next evening the group gathered in a Sunday school classroom, weary from the previous meeting. The pastor opened the meeting with prayer and no sooner had he said, “Amen,” then one of the men, Earl, started the meeting by apologizing for his behavior the night before. He personally apologized to Dave, the other contractor, and then to the whole group. He went on to say, “I have an idea. I have experience with roofing and siding and Dave has experience with indoor construction. How would be if I supervised the exterior of the building and Dave the interior?”
There was a collective sigh of relief and everyone turned to Dave to see how he would respond. With a mildly surprised but admiring look in his eyes, he nodded in agreement. The group embraced Earl’s idea and the meeting ended with handshakes, smiles and good-natured slaps on the back.
Love occurs when power is shared. But, what separates love from all other things, i.e., faith or hope, is the fact that “love never ends.”
* * *
Living Unafraid
by Keith Wagner
Jeremiah 1:4-10
“I’m sorry, you don’t have any experience.” These are familiar words for someone who is searching for their very first job. How can one possibly have any experience if no one ever gave them a chance to work? It’s a dilemma that many graduates have to wrestle with. On the one hand they have their education, but on the other hand they have no experience in the work place. The only way for a young graduate can get that first job is for someone to give them a break.
I remember looking for a job my senior year in college. I majored in business and there were plenty of opportunities in corporate America. For me, however there was one stumbling block. My draft status was 1-A. That meant the likelihood of me being called to military service would probably happen in six months. Fortunately the W.T. Grant Company took a chance on me and for one year I was gainfully employed. But, my luck ran out. Uncle Sam decided I was needed for military service. My business career was put on hold.
There is no draft today but there are plenty of other defects that keep us from hired. It could be no experience, or it could be that you’re either too old or too young. This was the case with Jeremiah. He was called to be a spokesperson for God. But in this case it was Jeremiah, himself, who said he was too young. “Sorry God, I can’t be your prophet, I don’t know how to speak and I am just a boy.”
God however did not agree. “Do not say you are only a boy for you shall go wherever I send you and you shall speak the words I give you. Do not be afraid,” God replied. I believe that Jeremiah protested the possibility of being a prophet because he was afraid. The mission God had for him was going to be a real challenge. People would refuse to listen to him. They would also not agree with his message. His message wouldn’t be popular. He would frequently find himself all alone. His task was a monumental one, “plucking up, pulling down, destroying and overthrowing, building and planting.”
As a spokesperson for God, Jeremiah would be telling things to people they did not want to hear. If they listened they would have to change their ways, especially the condition of their hearts. Their allegiance would be to God as Jeremiah called them to be faithful. It was a daunting challenge, a risky adventure, therefore making Jeremiah afraid.
I can relate to Jeremiah because I put off my call to ministry, not once, but twice. The first time I was too inexperienced, just like Jeremiah. The second time I was not ready. I lacked the confidence to be a pastor and preacher. I guess God knew more about me than I knew about myself, since “the call” came a third time and at that point I had grown in my faith and I finally gave in.
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. Some of us are called to be pastors. Others are called to specific ministries, like healing or teaching. Everyone however is called at times to provide some task for the kingdom of God. Granted, church work is not always very appealing. Much of the work we do is not popular. It means we have to make sacrifices of time and energy. It means some of our friends might think we’re weird or we don’t have time for them anymore. But where would the church be if everyone who has ever been called to some task had said “No?”
Jeremiah was afraid because he believed he lacked the qualifications to be an agent for God. But God said, “Don’t worry, I am with you.” God chooses people because God knows they are up to the challenge.
In Chicken Soup for the Soul, No. 4, Margaret Patrick, tells her story of moving to an independent living facility. After she had settled in she noticed a piano at the center. It made her very sad and a long-time staff member, Millie, noticed the pain in her eyes. She asked Margaret what was wrong and she told her how she used to play the piano but no longer could because of a stroke. She had no use of her right hand. "I’ll be back in a moment," Margaret said.
A few moments later she returned with a woman in a walker. "Meet Ruth Eisenberg," she said with a smile. "She also played the piano, but like you can no longer play due to a stroke." Ruth Eisenberg had no use of her left hand. Ruth asked, "Do you know Chopin’s Waltz in D Flat?" Margaret nodded that she did. Side by side, the two sat on the piano bench using their two healthy hands to play the piece. Since that day they have played hundreds of times. They grew popular, playing at other retirement centers, churches and schools, even an appearance on television. These two great-grandmothers, both widows have moved forward in life believing that God has brought them together, all because they answered a call.
When we overcome our fears amazing things can happen. When our confidence is restored there is no limit to what we can do. Our music, our messages, our creative abilities can reach beyond familiar turf. We can meet new friends at any age, giving us hope and purpose.
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
*****************************************
StoryShare, January 31, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"All You Need is Love" by Keith Wagner
"Living Unafraid" by Keith Wagner
All You Need is Love
by Keith Wagner
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
In his letter to the Corinthians Paul was not talking to the world. This was not a global message on CNN to all the nations. This was a specific message to the Church at Corinth. Paul was speaking to people of the faith. They were divided. They were envious of one another. Some thought they were better than others. They were always comparing people, putting down those who were not important and arguing with those who had a different opinion. If Paul was going to make a difference in the world he had to start with the Church. So he used this letter to coach them. He encouraged them to be a model of God’s love, embodying peace and hope in a world of chaos and despair.
The love that Paul described was subtle. In other words it took place behind the scenes. It happened without fanfare or "noise." The following story illustrates this in a profound way.
In 2007, the columnist, Art Buchwald passed away. One time he told a story about a taxi ride he took in New York City with a friend of his. When they left the taxi, his friend told the driver: "Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving." The driver looked stunned for a moment and then asked if he was being a wise guy or something. His friend responded: "No, I'm not putting you on. I admired the way you kept cool in the heavy traffic." "Yeah", said the driver before pulling away.
Art asked his friend what that conversation had been all about. "I am trying to bring love back to New York", his friend answered. "I believe it's the only thing which can save the city." "How can one man save New York?" Art asked him. His friend answered: "It's not just one man. I believe I made that taxi driver's day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He's going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was pleasant to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually, the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn't so bad, is it?"
"But you're depending on that taxi driver to pass on your goodwill to others," Art said. "I'm not depending on it", Art's friend responded. "I'm aware that the system isn't foolproof. But if I interact with ten different people today and I make three of them happy, who knows where it could lead? Nothing is lost if the driver doesn't follow through. It didn't take any of my time to tell him that he was doing a good job. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? It didn't cost me anything to be pleasant to him. And tomorrow, there will be another taxi driver that I can try to make happy."
Art’s friend seems to have understood Paul’s message to the Corinthians. They were more filled with themselves than willing to extend love to others. They were proud of their spirituality but failed to apply the all important basic ethic of love. Art’s friend illustrated how love can be contagious. His positive approach of being kind and affirming to other people surely made a difference in the city of New York.
Paul’s message to Corinth reminds me of the movie, Pleasantville. The folks in Pleasantville were very nice people and everyone treated each other with kindness and respect. But, there was a problem. They were stuck in time, not willing to change. They had a nice, friendly little town but they weren’t in touch with their feelings. Women were second class citizens and children did not have the freedom to spread their wings or be themselves. It was a chauvinistic society where men had all the power.
The Corinthian Church was not unlike Pleasantville. There was an elite group who held all the power because of their so called, gifts of the spirit. They used them to separate themselves from the rest of the faith community. People were not equal, in fact, many were kept powerless.
When we truly love others we have to let go of power. In Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories for a Better World, the following story illustrates how letting go of power can make a difference.
A church in Central Pennsylvania was growing and they made plans for a Sunday school addition. The congregation didn’t have a lot of money but they had many willing workers. At a planning meeting there were two men with careers in construction. They had a difference of opinion of whether or not to use plastic or copper for the plumbing. The conflict escalated into a heated debate. The pastor felt responsible for assuring good communication and when it was inevitable that the conflict was not going to be resolved, he suggested everyone go home and they could reconvene the next evening.
The pastor prayed and agonized over the conflict between two of his parishioners, fearful that both families might leave the church and fearful that the building program would never be completed. He rehearsed over and over again what he would say and thought about several options to resolve the dispute.
The next evening the group gathered in a Sunday school classroom, weary from the previous meeting. The pastor opened the meeting with prayer and no sooner had he said, “Amen,” then one of the men, Earl, started the meeting by apologizing for his behavior the night before. He personally apologized to Dave, the other contractor, and then to the whole group. He went on to say, “I have an idea. I have experience with roofing and siding and Dave has experience with indoor construction. How would be if I supervised the exterior of the building and Dave the interior?”
There was a collective sigh of relief and everyone turned to Dave to see how he would respond. With a mildly surprised but admiring look in his eyes, he nodded in agreement. The group embraced Earl’s idea and the meeting ended with handshakes, smiles and good-natured slaps on the back.
Love occurs when power is shared. But, what separates love from all other things, i.e., faith or hope, is the fact that “love never ends.”
* * *
Living Unafraid
by Keith Wagner
Jeremiah 1:4-10
“I’m sorry, you don’t have any experience.” These are familiar words for someone who is searching for their very first job. How can one possibly have any experience if no one ever gave them a chance to work? It’s a dilemma that many graduates have to wrestle with. On the one hand they have their education, but on the other hand they have no experience in the work place. The only way for a young graduate can get that first job is for someone to give them a break.
I remember looking for a job my senior year in college. I majored in business and there were plenty of opportunities in corporate America. For me, however there was one stumbling block. My draft status was 1-A. That meant the likelihood of me being called to military service would probably happen in six months. Fortunately the W.T. Grant Company took a chance on me and for one year I was gainfully employed. But, my luck ran out. Uncle Sam decided I was needed for military service. My business career was put on hold.
There is no draft today but there are plenty of other defects that keep us from hired. It could be no experience, or it could be that you’re either too old or too young. This was the case with Jeremiah. He was called to be a spokesperson for God. But in this case it was Jeremiah, himself, who said he was too young. “Sorry God, I can’t be your prophet, I don’t know how to speak and I am just a boy.”
God however did not agree. “Do not say you are only a boy for you shall go wherever I send you and you shall speak the words I give you. Do not be afraid,” God replied. I believe that Jeremiah protested the possibility of being a prophet because he was afraid. The mission God had for him was going to be a real challenge. People would refuse to listen to him. They would also not agree with his message. His message wouldn’t be popular. He would frequently find himself all alone. His task was a monumental one, “plucking up, pulling down, destroying and overthrowing, building and planting.”
As a spokesperson for God, Jeremiah would be telling things to people they did not want to hear. If they listened they would have to change their ways, especially the condition of their hearts. Their allegiance would be to God as Jeremiah called them to be faithful. It was a daunting challenge, a risky adventure, therefore making Jeremiah afraid.
I can relate to Jeremiah because I put off my call to ministry, not once, but twice. The first time I was too inexperienced, just like Jeremiah. The second time I was not ready. I lacked the confidence to be a pastor and preacher. I guess God knew more about me than I knew about myself, since “the call” came a third time and at that point I had grown in my faith and I finally gave in.
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. Some of us are called to be pastors. Others are called to specific ministries, like healing or teaching. Everyone however is called at times to provide some task for the kingdom of God. Granted, church work is not always very appealing. Much of the work we do is not popular. It means we have to make sacrifices of time and energy. It means some of our friends might think we’re weird or we don’t have time for them anymore. But where would the church be if everyone who has ever been called to some task had said “No?”
Jeremiah was afraid because he believed he lacked the qualifications to be an agent for God. But God said, “Don’t worry, I am with you.” God chooses people because God knows they are up to the challenge.
In Chicken Soup for the Soul, No. 4, Margaret Patrick, tells her story of moving to an independent living facility. After she had settled in she noticed a piano at the center. It made her very sad and a long-time staff member, Millie, noticed the pain in her eyes. She asked Margaret what was wrong and she told her how she used to play the piano but no longer could because of a stroke. She had no use of her right hand. "I’ll be back in a moment," Margaret said.
A few moments later she returned with a woman in a walker. "Meet Ruth Eisenberg," she said with a smile. "She also played the piano, but like you can no longer play due to a stroke." Ruth Eisenberg had no use of her left hand. Ruth asked, "Do you know Chopin’s Waltz in D Flat?" Margaret nodded that she did. Side by side, the two sat on the piano bench using their two healthy hands to play the piece. Since that day they have played hundreds of times. They grew popular, playing at other retirement centers, churches and schools, even an appearance on television. These two great-grandmothers, both widows have moved forward in life believing that God has brought them together, all because they answered a call.
When we overcome our fears amazing things can happen. When our confidence is restored there is no limit to what we can do. Our music, our messages, our creative abilities can reach beyond familiar turf. We can meet new friends at any age, giving us hope and purpose.
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
*****************************************
StoryShare, January 31, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
