Missouri Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens is a former Navy SEAL and Rhodes Scholar (quite a combination) who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning to civilian life, he founded "The Mission Continues," a non-profit organization to serve veterans' needs. 

Speaking about his military experience to the graduating class of Tufts University, he said, "The more I thought about myself, the weaker I became. And the more I recognized that I was serving a purpose larger than myself, the stronger I became." Greitens spoke eloquently about the joy of losing himself in a cause, a mission, a purpose. He understands the power of living beyond himself, for something greater than himself.

I saw something similar in the Mathare slum of Kenya recently. There I met a number of young men working together in a ministry targeted to bring hope to other young adults living in that desperate neighborhood. These young men -- Jeff, Jude, and Charlie P, hold such resolute convictions about the God-given value of each person, no matter the circumstance, that they spend their days inviting others to join them in living above and beyond the message of their oppressive environs. Recently, I saw this picture of them that captured their mission. 

This week, I'll be preaching from the Sermon on the Mount, a message whose whole premise is that we are part of something far larger than ourselves. You can prepare by reading Matthew, chapters 5-7.  

As you know, we have paused our 9:30 a.m. Chapel service for the summer, but this week we're fortunate to have Rodney Sadler, associate professor of Old Testament, as our guest. He'll be speaking in the Fellowship Hall, room 203, at 9:30 a.m. on "Meeting Jesus in the Land Where He Lived." In worship, we'll celebrate communion, enjoy great music, and recognize our high school graduates.

It promises to be a great day,