TO THE EVER-FAITHFUL CREW LIVING REAL LIFE,
In my first weeks living on “Rivershore Court” in the Pocket
area, I decided it made sense that I should swim across the river. I made it
with my shoes on, my phone double-bagged in a ziplock, and a boat or two asking
if I needed rescue. But I admit: I made it with a renewed respect for the power
of water. The current did not just move me side to side, but threatened to
weigh me down. The story of Noah is probably overused with young children, but
under-used with High School students and adults. I hope that we can renew our
respect for the water. Here’s what I mean.
The water in the story of Noah is a symbol of starting over.
Everything about human life had become saturated with sin, so now it was about
to become saturated with water (except for Noah and his family) to begin again,
to start fresh. Please hear God’s grace in His God-sized weeping before the
destruction, and His sign of the rainbow to never flood the earth again.
But remembering the power of water is not only about
starting over, but being transformed. Think about baptism. God comes back
around and uses water to remind us we are made new. The old is gone, and we
belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never memorized Scripture, this is
a good one to start with:
“Do not be conformed any longer to the patterns of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2).
We have been talking about cuss words, and whether they are
right or wrong. As Jesus tells so many people: wrong question. That continues to ask how we can still go along
with the way the world talks and acts. Instead, how can be transformed into the
likeness of Christ so that our words are merely an extension of who we are
becoming, bringing life to all.
Remember, it’s not about lists of right or wrong, but about
the Third Way, a conversation and
relationship with God who loves you as your good, good Father.
Peace in Christ,
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