Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n06)
Life's Ripples from Broad Ripple United Methodist Church by Rev. Timothy Rasmussen
posted: Mar. 23, 2007
Unity is the one part of God's plan that we as Christians have the hardest time accomplishing. God clearly has a plan for the Christian community to be unified, but even in our own local churches total unity is scarce. People are fallible, and as such mistakes are made. It is what we do with those mistakes that defines who we are as Christians.
Do we take responsibility for our own actions, or are we merely looking after the actions of others? When a fellow Christian needs understanding or uplifting, do we take steps to help restore that person or are we on the bandwagon helping to bring that person down? These are hard questions. In light of the Lenten season, when the closest of Jesus followers let Him down, it's hard not to think of the negativity that runs through the Christian community.
Jesus died so that we might know a better way and have a meaningful life. He lived in a political time, just as we do now. He did not let people or politics sway him from His calling, however. What would it be like if we all were that committed to what we are called to do? My guess is that there would be fewer homeless and hungry people, and a more unified community. It will take us all to get to that place. What is the gift that you're holding back from the world?
Tim has been a United Methodist Pastor since 1973 and has been at Broad Ripple United Methodist since 2003. Email your questions/comments to
tim@BroadRippleGazette.com
tim@broadripplegazette.com