Tonight's Blog got May 18, 2013

I stepped out of my Saturday morning routine, by following my normal weekly routine this morning. Most days

begin with a time of prayer and coffee at Panera Bread. Good way to start most weekday mornings for me. As I said, that is my usual routine, but not generally on Saturday or Sunday mornings, since my focus those mornings is getting myself ready for our worship time. Today, I wanted to get ready for the worship time and for the picnic. As I walked in, I saw Tom, who has a concrete pouring business. He is even more regular in his attendance at Panera than I am. 

Because of his business, Tom pays attention to things like rain. Today, I asked him if the overcast sky was a sign of a rainy weekend. (ok, it was still dark, so i was assuming the overcast!) Anyway, he said he hoped not, and I said the same.  Anyway, I told him my standard line about weather. "Since I am a minister, folks think I have pull with GOD and that if I would pray for sun, it was a cinch." Right? NO! I reminded him of my standard answer,  "I am in sales, not management." He said that was a good answer, and laughed. 

As I sat down to drink coffee and to pray, I stopped for a minute to think about what had transpired. I pray for Tom and every person in Panera every day. I pray for our folks at MCC every day. I pray for the children and parents of the Co-op every day. I am not bragging, that is just a priority for my time in ministry in Monroe. What have I been praying for, and about, and what have I been expecting GOD to do? Do I see HIM as my errand boy? "Fix my car, give me money, help me, forgive me, give me this, do that, help me." 

Errand boy, GOD? NO, He is the creator of the universe. He doesn't need my demands or expectations to rule the universe. Don't get me wrong, my requests are ok to share, because GOD is love and He loves you and me. That is my sermon for tomorrow, and the essence of my response to Tom is found here. Because GOD loves me, I am loved and I am able to love like Him. 

As I was thinking about the picnic, and our needs as a worshipping body, I realized that my answer really isn't just about rain, but should be about every part of our lives. As believers in Christ, we know that He allows us to pray, and even promises to listen and to grant our requests. That is the simple teaching of 1 John 5:13-15, isn't it? Some of my brothers and sisters through the years must have missed the memo! Every small group, every worship experience, and every meeting sees the tension that develops when folks assume the role of management rather than sales. We want to dictate to others their behavior or our demands or our needs as our highest priorities. The happiest Christians I know are folks who don't demand of God others anything they wouldn't first do by themselves. I love brothers and sisters like that! 

God Bless you! Praying for you as I write these words, big marv