MIDWEEK MUSINGS FOR SUNDAY, August 7, 2016


This Week's Reflection Comes From
Rev. John Saraka
Pastor at Atonement, Syracuse/
Synod Council
Racial Justice Team


Reflecting and Dwelling in the Word
Luke 12:33-34


'Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'
MUSINGS


I would like to describe for you in detail my cup holder in my car. It is a fine plastic, expertly crafted into a spherical wonder, it has been able to cradle on numerous occasions several sizes of beverage... 


I would like to describe for you in detail my pants. They are 100% cotton, machine wash only, front slant pocket, straight cut, I got these bad boys in 2010 and they have been covering my legs ever since...


I would like to describe for you in detail my couch at home...


Are you napping yet? Did you click off of this website and onto another?


Of course a few more moments of describing cup holders, pants, or couches, and the excitement would have been hard to contain. We don't treasure things, we treasure people and experiences. Art Buchwald, the American humorist best known for his long-running column of political satire and commentary that he wrote in The Washington Post, is quoted as saying, 'the best things in life aren't things.'


As people we actually like to hear stories of experiences and life from one another. The ones that begin to tell people who we are, where we are from, how we came to be who we are, stories that are connected to relationship with one another. 


Remember that time...
How did you meet?
Oh my God, when you and I...


Jesus invested his time into people. Jesus created stories with us. Jesus came for the sake of you and I, and made sure that he was sharing the experience of the living God with humanity whenever and wherever he found the opportunity. Jesus knew that the unfailing treasure of life is love, and he pulled this love out for the sake of the world. This is how Jesus' story has become our own. 2000+ years later we are still sharing those stories of how that love God gave impacted the world.  We are encouraged here to fill up our purses with stories of our own of how God's love has connected us, reshaped us, and saved us.


What stories of God's love can you tell in your community? How has the treasure of the love of God in Christ Jesus made itself manifest in your life and in the lives of those around you?


And if anyone wants to hear more about my cup holder, just give me a call, but in the meantime, remember,  God is invested in the living you, invested enough to want to give you the kingdom now. 




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