Called to Use Our Gifts for Justice and Wonder

``As we spend a moment with Isaiah, we are reminded that prophets often stand in a place of tension, a tension between what is and what ought to be. In this passage from Isaiah, the prophet finds himself in such a place. Now in the previous chapter, he had painted a stirring portrait of what is to be. And God had sent him to bring the good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. That's news we could use right now, isn't it? I think so. For those who have returned from exile, Jerusalem is to be repaired and built up. It is to enter a time of wealth and abundance. Now they're not there yet. Actually, the reality is that in that moment, Jerusalem is in ruins, devastated and hungry. They have work to do. [00:28:16] (59 seconds)  #PropheticTension

And Isaiah talks about the vindication of Jerusalem and shining like a royal diadem in the hand of God. Paul reminds us in Corinthians of all these amazing, wonderful spiritual gifts that we are given and called upon to use. And of course, Jesus finally reveals himself as a miracle worker at the wedding. It's time. [00:30:23] (27 seconds)  #GiftsAndSigns

Just as it was for Jesus, just as it was for Isaiah. Paul now of all people, you know I have to work hard to understand Paul. I have I have to look closely at who, what, where, and when surround his teachings. But anyway, I digress. Paul Paul tells us about the gifts we have. Gifts we are called to reveal and use. For what? For using in service to God and to our community, for the common good. And for the example, we have MLK using his gifts along with all being part of the body of Christ. [00:30:50] (38 seconds)  #GiftsForCommonGood

And Martin Luther King, what an inspiring and fantastic example of a man of God embracing and using those spiritual gifts. In spite of his own personal failings and challenges, he still turned to God and used his gifts for the common good. Let's talk about spiritual gifts. First of all, there are many. And I'd venture to say that we all have at least one, and that it takes all of us working together to be an effective body of Christ. [00:31:28] (37 seconds)  #EveryoneHasAGift

Wow. Talk about embracing diversity and welcoming all. It is the same God, it says. So it's okay if one person has one strength and style and someone else has something different to offer. It's not only okay. It's necessary. [00:32:25] (21 seconds)  #DiverseGiftsNeeded

So let's all take a moment and breathe. You can go ahead. Close your eyes. Lose the distractions. Breathe in the spirit of God. Let your heart and mind dwell in the spirit and embrace your gifts. Now you might be certain right away about your gifts, or you might still be exploring. They might be developing. You might look at someone and think, boy, I want that gift, but spirit might have something else for you. Be ready to embrace your own gifts. Sometimes the gift is only realized if we get out of our comfort zone and do something hard. [00:33:33] (53 seconds)  #BreatheAndDiscover

The larger point, whether we're into strength finding or brokenness, is that whatever is in us is not for us for our own personal use, but it is for God and for the good of the body, the good of the community. Remain open to that spirit and be ready to exercise your gift. [00:34:50] (24 seconds)  #GiftsForOthers

Start by once or twice a day taking a step in faith and using sharing your gift, then more steps and more. Even athletes have to work up to their skill levels. Olympic athletes, skaters, skiers, runners started in their communities at the ice skating rink falling down. You have to keep exercising and trying. Keep growing and learning. Grow in wisdom. Grow in strength. And grow in listening skill so you can hear the spirit and God coaching you. And be sure to listen to your coach. [00:35:17] (42 seconds)  #PracticeYourGift

This weekend, we ponder doctor Martin Luther King. It's a name that comes up in our minds when someone asks, does God still send us prophets? His martyrdom only strengthens our confidence that this indeed was a man sent by God, showered with gifts, who will be remembered for his eloquent words, his courageous deeds, and his deep and abiding commitments to nonviolence as the ultimate form of Christian resistance to injustice. Even in the face of police dogs with snarling teeth and the taunts of the so called nice Christian Americans who reacted angrily and self righteously when a people demanded justice too long delayed. [00:35:59] (47 seconds)  #MLKLegacyOfNonviolence

But consider how much more interesting it is to see him, not as just a great speaker, if that's anything you should say just about, but not just as a great speaker or political visionary, but as one gifted by God's spirit. And those gifts were given for him, to him, not just for his own use, but for the building up of the church, and by extension, the mission field of the church, the whole country, the whole community, really the whole world. [00:36:53] (30 seconds)  #GiftsForTheMission

Do this, and before you know it, you may be marching right along with doctor Martin Luther King, being part of the body of Christ. It's still very early in this new year. What call has come? What need has arisen? What unforeseen opportunities lie before you that might lead to a rearrangement of your plans so that the reign of God might break in? Here and now. [00:37:42] (35 seconds)  #AnswerTheCall

What surprises like that of the wine steward in the gospel story might await you? When have you felt brought into a miracle most unexpectedly? The timing of doctor King's birthday and our communal New Year observances is very fortunate. [00:38:17] (21 seconds)  #UnexpectedMiracles

What better way to begin a new year than to renew our commitment to the vision of Jesus who practiced compassion and justice throughout his life. Our gospel tells us about an everyday earthy but extraordinary deed of Jesus and his mother responding to ordinary human need. [00:38:38] (22 seconds)  #JesusVisionOfJustice

When Mary went to Jesus about the wine shortage at the wedding feast, he said that his hour had not yet come. Yet, he provided the wine that was needed, and it was considered to be the first of his signs. [00:39:00] (17 seconds)  #CanaFirstSign

When have you been surprised by a change in timing in your life, especially when beginning something new? When has your church had to change its plans and adjust its timing like we did just a few weeks ago? What did you learn about yourself in that process? [00:39:17] (22 seconds)  #TrustTheTiming

Why do you think the disciples believed in Jesus after this work of great wonder? How did their faith apparently change? It says that then they believed in him. Do you need to see miracles in order to believe? And if you do, what is a miracle to you? What is a great wonder? What is a sign? [00:39:39] (24 seconds)  #FaithAndSigns

What works of wonder can we accomplish? What transformations can we make to happen as individuals and as local churches that transform despair into hope, hatred into love, and violence into healing? Do you feel equal to the task? If not, what do you need? What unseen power lies within us that we don't even recognize? And what are your gifts? What gifts do you discern within your family, your congregation, your community? And how is God calling you to transform the world around you? [00:40:20] (38 seconds)  #TransformWithGifts

The church in Corinth was not getting along within itself. There were many arguments and issues and things about people struggling for power within their church. So here comes Paul reminding them of what is important and reminding them of their gifts, the manifestation of the spirit for the common good. [00:40:58] (30 seconds)  #UnityThroughGifts

How do we follow that lead? How do we use our gifts? How do we step out in trust and do the work? That's what Paul was challenging us to do. That's what doctor Martin Luther King did. And even Jesus stepped out when he said, hey. It's not really time for me yet. And he did his first sign, his first miracle, and his disciples believed in him. [00:41:28] (31 seconds)  #StepOutInFaith

Stepping forward and using our gifts, embracing that, using it for God and for the common good. When we think about doctor King this weekend, I want to believe that doctor King, while he was a great and gifted man, a prophet even, did things that we can do too. He did them with the gifts that God has given him and the same gifts that God has given us. [00:42:00] (33 seconds)  #FollowMLKExample