Looking In Faith
Stories
Object:
Contents
"Looking in Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Glory to God" by John Fitzgerald
* * * * * * *
Looking in Faith
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 1:6-14
"How can you say that?" Charlotte stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "You spend more time reading books about religion and going to visit churches than anyone I know."
"I'm not religious though." John stepped out of the way of a woman with a baby carriage. "I certainly find the books engage my mind and my visits to churches fill me with wonder at the artwork and history."
"I feel there is a 'but' you don't want to say."
"It isn't enough." John sighed. "It leaves me empty at the end of the day. All the talk is no different than any other talk and all the great religious art is no different than any other art."
"How can you say that?"
"Because for me it is true." John shrugged. "I look and look and none of it helps me to believe in Jesus."
Charlotte tilted her head to one side. "Really?"
"Really. I see evidence of other people's faith but I never see Jesus for myself." John started walking. "Sometimes I think it is just a nice story that he came back from the dead; an idea that gives people hope."
Charlotte matched his steps. "But?"
He looked away. "You'll be mad."
"How can you say that?" Charlotte asked. "Have I ever gotten mad at you in all the years we have known each other even when I haven't agreed with you?"
Slowly John shook his head. "I guess not."
"So tell me what you need to say."
"I think Jesus probably was someone who lived in the past." John took a deep breath. "I have listened to the conversations, understand the arguments, admire the passion of his followers, but I have never found Jesus in my life no matter how hard I look. Which means that I can't believe that he is alive like the Bible says."
Charlotte said nothing as she opened the door to the coffee shop and they went to order their drinks. No word passed between them as they took their usual seats in the usual booth.
"Please don't hate me," John said.
"Hate you? Why would you think I hate you?"
"Because I have doubts and you believe."
Charlotte laughed. "Everyone has doubts. Everyone has questions. That is all part of faith."
"But you seem so sure about Jesus," John said. "Your face lights up when you talk about him."
"That doesn't mean I don't work at following him. That doesn't mean that I have it all figured out."
John took that in, thought about it for a moment, and nodded. "Then why have you been giving me the cold shoulder since I said I don't believe?"
"I wasn't giving you the cold shoulder." Charlotte took a sip from her cup. "I was thinking about what you said."
"And?"
"Where do I find the sugar for my coffee?" She held up her hand before he could answer. "I read a book about sugar the other day and saw some news about it on television. None of which helps me find the sugar in this coffee shop."
John pursed his lips. "Okay I get your point. Books and tours of churches to look at the windows and artwork can only take me so far in faith. I can accept that. So what am I doing wrong?"
"So where's the sugar?"
"Over there." John pointed to the counter. "Under that lid there is a container."
"But I don't see it from here."
John rolled his eyes. "You have to actually get up and go over there to see it and get it."
Charlotte went over to the bin and returned with two packets of sugar. "So do you want to know where to find Jesus in the world?"
"Absolutely."
She smiled. "Tell me how I found the sugar for my coffee."
"You asked and I told you where I found it before. Then you walked over and discovered it was just where I said." John rubbed his chin. "Okay I think I understand. So where do I look for Jesus?"
"I find him in church in the midst of his disciples. I feel him when I reach out in prayer and action. I experience him when I live as he calls me to live." Charlotte set down her cup. "In actions of caring and compassion, through words of hope and grace, by loving as he loves. I suspect if you do that then you will find him too."
John set down his coffee. "So to know Jesus in my life I have to do something more than stare up at the sky and wonder where he is?"
Charlotte winked. "You took the words right out of my mouth."
Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada who currently serves at St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things Are Ready (CSS), a book of lectionary-based communion prayers, as well as many stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
Glory to God
by John Fitzgerald
John 17:1-11
Today marks the unofficial beginning of summer. School is out and there is a more relaxed atmosphere with ball games, vacations, and family gatherings calling us in the near future. The question is what does God say about how we will use our summer months?
Summer in some respects is like all other seasons of the year. Our task -- regardless of a particular season -- is to glorify God. The Westminster Short Catechism has stated this goal in classic fashion: "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."
A French Catholic priest named Michel Quoist has written a book of prayers that brings focus to our calling this summer. One of Father Quoist's prayers is titled, "I Would Like to Rise Very High I Would Like to Rise Very High, Lord."
Above my city,
Above the world,
Above time.
I would like to purify my glance and borrow your eyes.
I would see the beautiful, the eternal thought of your Father's
Love taking form, step by step:
Love and hate,
Sin and grace.
I would understand that everything is lined together,
That all is but a single movement of the whole of humanity,
I would like to rise very high, Lord.
This prayer may seem a bit too lofty and unattainable in our dog-eat-dog world. But it does indicate a worthy aim. We must rise above our craven culture and take on the divine perspective. God has given us life that we might glorify him. This is intended as the guiding principle for daily living. Yet far too often our earthly journey honors everything besides the one who created us.
In our scripture lesson from John 17, we have a powerful example of Jesus giving glory to his heavenly Father through prayer. This personal prayer of our Lord can be divided into two parts: verses 1-5 highlight Christ and his relationship in heavenly glory with the Father. Verses 6-11 of John 17 demonstrate the glory Jesus reserves for his disciples and all who will follow him.
Christ realized his time for bearing the cross approached when he uttered the prayer of John 17. Our Lord knew that at Calvary his glory would be revealed for the sake of a sinful and fallen humankind. The power and light of God's Son took on a second brilliant display at Easter when Jesus conquered death once and for all times. Christ the Lord now lives among us not as a humiliated person crucified by Roman soldiers, but as Savior and Lord who has victory over darkness and destruction.
It is with these thoughts in mind, that Jesus can pray to the Father in verse 4, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." Jesus witnessed obedience to the Father by death on a cross. Our Lord brought glory to God by demonstrating triumph over Satan's kingdom. With this task complete the time had come for a reunion with the original glory of the godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal the different natures and essence of divinity. It is this godhead to which Christ returns. This is reflected by what Christ said in verse 5, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."
Jesus did not abandon his disciples upon coming home to the Father. Instead, the master promised divine protection and power to his followers. This is made clear in verse 11, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me so that they may be as we are one." The love and light of our Lord surrounds not only first-century disciples, but also is available for twenty-first-century humans who open their hearts to him.
This means that in the busy season of summer we must find a pathway to allow Jesus to minister. Summer can be filled to the brim with travel plans and baseball. If there is no space for Christ, we have missed the essential reason for having life. Does your life give glory to God?
I close this challenge with more words from Father Quoist's prayer:
I would see that everything on earth is summed up in you Lord,
Every man in his place,
Every group,
and every object.
Then, falling on my knees, I would admire, Lord, the
mystery of this world.
I would like to rise very high, Lord,
Above my city,
Above the world,
Above time.
I would like to purify my glance and borrow your eyes.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, June 1, 2014, issue.
Copyright 2014 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.
"Looking in Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Glory to God" by John Fitzgerald
* * * * * * *
Looking in Faith
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 1:6-14
"How can you say that?" Charlotte stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. "You spend more time reading books about religion and going to visit churches than anyone I know."
"I'm not religious though." John stepped out of the way of a woman with a baby carriage. "I certainly find the books engage my mind and my visits to churches fill me with wonder at the artwork and history."
"I feel there is a 'but' you don't want to say."
"It isn't enough." John sighed. "It leaves me empty at the end of the day. All the talk is no different than any other talk and all the great religious art is no different than any other art."
"How can you say that?"
"Because for me it is true." John shrugged. "I look and look and none of it helps me to believe in Jesus."
Charlotte tilted her head to one side. "Really?"
"Really. I see evidence of other people's faith but I never see Jesus for myself." John started walking. "Sometimes I think it is just a nice story that he came back from the dead; an idea that gives people hope."
Charlotte matched his steps. "But?"
He looked away. "You'll be mad."
"How can you say that?" Charlotte asked. "Have I ever gotten mad at you in all the years we have known each other even when I haven't agreed with you?"
Slowly John shook his head. "I guess not."
"So tell me what you need to say."
"I think Jesus probably was someone who lived in the past." John took a deep breath. "I have listened to the conversations, understand the arguments, admire the passion of his followers, but I have never found Jesus in my life no matter how hard I look. Which means that I can't believe that he is alive like the Bible says."
Charlotte said nothing as she opened the door to the coffee shop and they went to order their drinks. No word passed between them as they took their usual seats in the usual booth.
"Please don't hate me," John said.
"Hate you? Why would you think I hate you?"
"Because I have doubts and you believe."
Charlotte laughed. "Everyone has doubts. Everyone has questions. That is all part of faith."
"But you seem so sure about Jesus," John said. "Your face lights up when you talk about him."
"That doesn't mean I don't work at following him. That doesn't mean that I have it all figured out."
John took that in, thought about it for a moment, and nodded. "Then why have you been giving me the cold shoulder since I said I don't believe?"
"I wasn't giving you the cold shoulder." Charlotte took a sip from her cup. "I was thinking about what you said."
"And?"
"Where do I find the sugar for my coffee?" She held up her hand before he could answer. "I read a book about sugar the other day and saw some news about it on television. None of which helps me find the sugar in this coffee shop."
John pursed his lips. "Okay I get your point. Books and tours of churches to look at the windows and artwork can only take me so far in faith. I can accept that. So what am I doing wrong?"
"So where's the sugar?"
"Over there." John pointed to the counter. "Under that lid there is a container."
"But I don't see it from here."
John rolled his eyes. "You have to actually get up and go over there to see it and get it."
Charlotte went over to the bin and returned with two packets of sugar. "So do you want to know where to find Jesus in the world?"
"Absolutely."
She smiled. "Tell me how I found the sugar for my coffee."
"You asked and I told you where I found it before. Then you walked over and discovered it was just where I said." John rubbed his chin. "Okay I think I understand. So where do I look for Jesus?"
"I find him in church in the midst of his disciples. I feel him when I reach out in prayer and action. I experience him when I live as he calls me to live." Charlotte set down her cup. "In actions of caring and compassion, through words of hope and grace, by loving as he loves. I suspect if you do that then you will find him too."
John set down his coffee. "So to know Jesus in my life I have to do something more than stare up at the sky and wonder where he is?"
Charlotte winked. "You took the words right out of my mouth."
Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada who currently serves at St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things Are Ready (CSS), a book of lectionary-based communion prayers, as well as many stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
Glory to God
by John Fitzgerald
John 17:1-11
Today marks the unofficial beginning of summer. School is out and there is a more relaxed atmosphere with ball games, vacations, and family gatherings calling us in the near future. The question is what does God say about how we will use our summer months?
Summer in some respects is like all other seasons of the year. Our task -- regardless of a particular season -- is to glorify God. The Westminster Short Catechism has stated this goal in classic fashion: "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."
A French Catholic priest named Michel Quoist has written a book of prayers that brings focus to our calling this summer. One of Father Quoist's prayers is titled, "I Would Like to Rise Very High I Would Like to Rise Very High, Lord."
Above my city,
Above the world,
Above time.
I would like to purify my glance and borrow your eyes.
I would see the beautiful, the eternal thought of your Father's
Love taking form, step by step:
Love and hate,
Sin and grace.
I would understand that everything is lined together,
That all is but a single movement of the whole of humanity,
I would like to rise very high, Lord.
This prayer may seem a bit too lofty and unattainable in our dog-eat-dog world. But it does indicate a worthy aim. We must rise above our craven culture and take on the divine perspective. God has given us life that we might glorify him. This is intended as the guiding principle for daily living. Yet far too often our earthly journey honors everything besides the one who created us.
In our scripture lesson from John 17, we have a powerful example of Jesus giving glory to his heavenly Father through prayer. This personal prayer of our Lord can be divided into two parts: verses 1-5 highlight Christ and his relationship in heavenly glory with the Father. Verses 6-11 of John 17 demonstrate the glory Jesus reserves for his disciples and all who will follow him.
Christ realized his time for bearing the cross approached when he uttered the prayer of John 17. Our Lord knew that at Calvary his glory would be revealed for the sake of a sinful and fallen humankind. The power and light of God's Son took on a second brilliant display at Easter when Jesus conquered death once and for all times. Christ the Lord now lives among us not as a humiliated person crucified by Roman soldiers, but as Savior and Lord who has victory over darkness and destruction.
It is with these thoughts in mind, that Jesus can pray to the Father in verse 4, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." Jesus witnessed obedience to the Father by death on a cross. Our Lord brought glory to God by demonstrating triumph over Satan's kingdom. With this task complete the time had come for a reunion with the original glory of the godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveal the different natures and essence of divinity. It is this godhead to which Christ returns. This is reflected by what Christ said in verse 5, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."
Jesus did not abandon his disciples upon coming home to the Father. Instead, the master promised divine protection and power to his followers. This is made clear in verse 11, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me so that they may be as we are one." The love and light of our Lord surrounds not only first-century disciples, but also is available for twenty-first-century humans who open their hearts to him.
This means that in the busy season of summer we must find a pathway to allow Jesus to minister. Summer can be filled to the brim with travel plans and baseball. If there is no space for Christ, we have missed the essential reason for having life. Does your life give glory to God?
I close this challenge with more words from Father Quoist's prayer:
I would see that everything on earth is summed up in you Lord,
Every man in his place,
Every group,
and every object.
Then, falling on my knees, I would admire, Lord, the
mystery of this world.
I would like to rise very high, Lord,
Above my city,
Above the world,
Above time.
I would like to purify my glance and borrow your eyes.
John Fitzgerald lives in Leesburg, Ohio, with his wife Carolyn and has served as pastor at the Leesburg Friends Meeting for the past 27 years. Cornfield Cathedral (Fairway Press, 2013) is the second book authored by Pastor Fitzgerald. John has earned a Master's of Ministry Degree from the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.
*****************************************
StoryShare, June 1, 2014, issue.
Copyright 2014 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.
