As a member of the “itinerant” United Methodist clergy, I know lots about new places. During my 40-some year career, we’ve moved nine times, each move worse than the one before. It’s not fun to say farewell to friends and familiar haunts, nor to find new medical and mechanical services. There is, though, a certain adventure in getting to know a New Place, all in the hopes that God really has a Plan.
The Church centers itself on this fluid drive. Sunday’s scriptures not only honor this Divine Flow, but challenge us not to grow moss! In Acts 16 comes the story of Paul & Co.moving in response to a dream: a man from Macedonia asking them to come to them. “When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.” (16:10) This was the Church’s first foray into Europe, beyond the comfort-zone of those travelers.
John the Divine also had a series of visions, which he wrote into the Revelation. After the terrors, a new peace came over Earth & Heaven, and a holy garden was seen, reminiscent of the original Eden. Eternal Light from God’s Presence continually floods the place, and a grove of the Trees of Life are watered by a clear river flowing from the Throne of God. Has the Creator written a happy ending to the Human Journey?
During the Last Supper, Jesus assures his closest friends that his departure is necessary for the Newness of God’s Design to move forward. Firstly, his going will send the Holy Spirit to teach “everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) And also, Jesus goes to prepare a place for us — so rejoice that he is going to the Father! (v.28)
Seems to me that the common thread here is that of envisioning a New Place full of hope and possibility — just like the UM clergy! (Actually, this is the only way to survive the itinerant system.) So where do the Church and its members see a new venue of challenge and glory? How do we prepare ourselves for such creative dreaming? What places await, by God’s decree?
I am an idea in the mind of God, in the process of unfolding….
God Bless Us, Every One! H B King
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