Just Be Kind. 12.16.2022

Have you felt it the last week or two??  You know, that feeling of stress and pressure building within.  There’s too much to do and too little time.  And…it seems like people are doing things just to annoy you!!  Like, they are moving just a little bit slower than usual, just to bug you.   A person is standing right in front of the item you want to pick up at the grocery store and they seem totally unaware that you’re there and won’t step aside to let you get what you need.  Your server got your order wrong just to spite you, you’re sure.  Your boss or a coworker is giving you extra tasks to do just to make your life difficult. It seems like almost everything is frustrating or annoying you!! Yep, that’s the feeling.  

Yes, this is the season when stress levels start rising and the internal pressure builds up because we set our expectations so high.  We want Christmas to be perfect.  After all, looking through the holiday magazines or seeing other people’s posts on social media…it would certainly seem that everyone else’s Christmas is going smoothly, if not perfectly.  But the truth is, magazine pictures are usually staged, and quite often social media posts rarely tell the whole story. 

So, back to my original question, have you been feeling stressed?  Feeling a bit irritable?  Are you just a little bit short-tempered?  Yeah, I’ve had my moments too!!  ‘Tis the season, as they say.

Just recently I read a post of someone I follow on Facebook, he’s a fellow United Methodist pastor, and he said that he had been in a post office just recently and saw firsthand how rude and downright mean some people were being to the postal staff concerning situations totally beyond their control.  He said it was saddening to see people treating other human beings in this manner…especially in this season.  This fellow pastor in his post challenged his readers that over the next few weeks, the days leading up to Christmas, that we would all go the extra mile to be kind, encouraging, pleasant, and to even express gratitude toward those who are trying to serve or help us with our own holiday plans and preparations.  

Well, just yesterday I got my chance to accept that challenge and live it out.  I found myself in the post office here in Mitchell.  Because of the winter storm there were very few people in the post office.  A clerk was at one window helping another customer.  Another clerk was working at a task at a desk.  She looked like it had already been a long day…and it was only 10:30 in the morning.  She greeted me and I greeted her back.  

As she got up to help me, she asked how my day was going.  I told her my day was going great!  I had very little snow to deal with, helped a neighbor get unstuck, had a good vehicle for this kind of weather, and I made it to the post office.  Life is Good!! Then I asked how her day was going.  She gave me one of those…so-so gestures and glances.  I asked if she was dealing with truck issues, staff not able to get in, and dealing with your own snow to get here?  She indicated the snow wasn’t that big a deal, but the other stuff was quite true, and add to it the Christmas rush.  

She and I talked for a bit as she helped me process my packages to mail.  We laughed about some things and generally had a cheery conversation.  I don’t know about her, but I sure felt in higher spirits than when I had walked in.  Yes, it was still storming outside, but the truth is, my life is filled with much goodness that God wants me to share with others.  

Today, as this winter storm winds down, people are going to realize Christmas is just a week away!  ACKKKK!  How about we each do what we can to bring more laughter and cheer into this week before Christmas.  Let’s leave the irritation and stress behind.  We’ll never be perfectly ready for Christmas...and that’s OK.  After all, Jesus didn’t come into a perfect world, he came into an imperfect and broken world to show us that even in the brokenness and imperfectness that surrounds us…that God is with us. Yes, the Light has come into the world…and the darkness didn’t, and cannot nor will not, overcome it.  Today, spread some love and cheer!! There truly is much good news to share!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Simply Wait 12.9.2022

“It was the best of times…It was the worst of times…”  I feel like I understand those famous words of Charles Dickens “Tale of Two Cities,” more and more as I age.  Really, these days in which we are living are the best of times.  And yet, they are the worst of times too.

These are the best of times in so many ways.  Medical breakthroughs are continually being made.  Treatments for diseases, illnesses, and conditions are commonplace that just a generation or two ago were unthinkable. In recent years we’ve heard of certain diseases being eradicated.  Detection and diagnosis of disease and physical ailments can now be made earlier when many of the conditions are more treatable.  We now know that certain human behaviors can have a significant impact on health and disease, thus we are more responsible for our own well-being.

The technological abilities that we have today in our world are phenomenal.  To think that the car that I drive and the phone that I carry with me has more computing power than did the space craft that landed on the moon in 1969.  Speaking of my cell phone, it is amazing to think that I carry a device that allows me to connect with someone in real time, on the other side of the earth.  And I can connect with multiple family members at the same time, even though they are spread out across the USA.  Plus, I was able to use my cell phone to make sure I was remembering correctly that the USA first landed on the moon in 1969.  We did.  Actually, we landed twice on the moon in 1969.  The first in July and the second in November.  

Yet, these are also the worst of times.  Health care costs are so incredibly high that there are some in our country who simply cannot afford the treatment that would cure them.  Many of us couldn’t afford the treatments if it wasn’t for insurance.  The device in my pocket, my cell phone, though it revolutionized our ability to connect with people all around the world…yet it has also led to greater isolation and even disconnect between people and families.  We’re too busy looking at our hand/phone rather than looking outward at another person.  Plus, the wonders of Google Search has added to our impatience of having to wait a minute or two…or ten for information, or situations, that we want now.

I am mindful that it seems that the seasons of Advent and Lent are both not particularly popular or observed as they used to be in the church.  Both seasons are about waiting for something exciting to happen.  Years ago, Advent was viewed as a more somber season.  Lent still is.  I’m not suggesting that we need to go back to the days of Advent being a time of somber reflection, not at all.  But it is true as a society, we want to rush through Advent and simply jump right into all the joy, music, goodies, and gifts of Christmas with out pausing to prepare our minds and very beings for the season of Christmas and what it really represents for those of us who are Jesus followers.  Besides the instant popcorn and cocoa, our society also tends to want instant faith.  

Well, I’m here to tell you, I have the answer to faith and a connection with God in three steps.  Yes, you heard me right…THREE STEPS!!!  Step #1 – Keep on Praying for God’s presence to be known in our lives, in our community, and in our world.  Step #2 – Keep living faithfully for God and God’s Kingdom.  Step #3 – Keep trusting God with the outcomes.  Now, I didn’t say three EASY steps.  I thought about it, but I knew that wouldn’t be true.  This all takes time…this all takes waiting

So much of the spiritual journey with God is about patience, trusting, and faithfulness.  Great words that do reflect the season of Advent.  How about we each put the phone down for just a moment or two…or three or four each day and simply wait on God or wait with God in this season of waiting we call Advent.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

The Gift of Silence 12.2.2022

One of my Strengthsfinder Key Characteristics is that I am a Learner.  What this means is that I tend to go through my day and the world, seeking to gain new information, seeking to learn what I can.  This is why I tend to be reading multiple books at the same time.  There is so much to learn.  It is because of this quality I find one of Susan Robb’s statements in her book, “The Angels of Christmas,” so intriguing.  What she said is that maybe the muteness that Zechariah received from the angel Gabriel was not so much a punishment for disbelief, as it is often portrayed, but rather was a gift in which Zechariah would be able to gain new insight, new understanding, a new perspective on God.  This was truly a new and mind opening thought for me.  Sometimes there is just too much noise in our lives. 

When I lived in the Chicago area I was amazed at the amount of noise present in the world around me; traffic, sirens, airliners on approach to O Hare International Airport, trains, etc.  Even at night there was a lot more noise than what I was used to.  Of course, people from the area would always say, “You’ll get used to it.”  And I did…but I wasn’t sure I wanted to get used to it.  I valued the quiet of nights on the farm. 

Another memory of mine from my Chicago days is that of taking my youth group canoeing down a river in rural Missouri.  These were kids that had rarely been outside the Chicago Metropolitan area.  Some of them were rather frightened by the lack of noise (the sheer quietness of the night) and by the absolute darkness of the night.  

Our society of today has become much like some of those kids in my youth group from years back.  We fill our days and even our nights with noise.  Yes, even nights!  How many of us sleep with a white noise machine?  I do.  Sometimes we use noise, like the TV, radio, or some other device, as a companion so we don’t feel alone.  Sometimes we use noise, our own noise (as in talking) to make ourselves feel important or in control of a situation.  Sometimes we use noise as a distraction, so we don’t have to deal with what is really important, what needs to be dealt with in the world around us, or what needs to be dealt with within our own soul.

One could say that Zechariah’s talking/noise identified an area in his life and faith where he simply needed to be quiet in order to listen and to allow God to work.  So, Gabriel gave him a gift - gift of silence.  This was a gift of not feeling the need to explain things to others, or maybe even himself.  It was a gift of not having to keep up the priestly pretense and appear to have all the answers about God and faith. (Yeah, sometimes we pastors fall into that trap.)  It was the ultimate gift of Psalm 46:10, where God says to the Psalmist, “be still (or cease striving) and know that I am God.”  Out of that entire Psalm, where the writer and the worshipers are giving praise to God and proclaiming God’s mighty deeds, verse 10 is the one verse in which God speaks to the people.  God doesn’t remind the people of the miracles God has performed or the ways God has helped them.  The word God speaks is simply, “Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted in the nations.  I will be exalted on the earth.”   Be Still…Be silent…Be with me…God!

Today, on our Advent journey, I believe I need Zechariah’s gift, that of silence.  I’ve been trying to practice quietness a little bit each day this week.  What is the gift that you need during this Advent season?  What gift do you need to receive from Gabriel or God, so that you might better sense, hear, and see that God is at work in our world…in our community …and even in our lives?  May we each be open to the Spirit of God presenting us with whatever gift we need in these days of preparation, even the gift of silence.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Happy New Year 11.25.2022

Happy New Year everyone!!!  You might think I’m a month and a week early, but the truth is, I’m just a few days early with this New Year's greeting.  How can that be, you’re thinking??  No, I’m not speaking of ringing in 2023 quite yet.  The new year that I’m speaking of is that of the church year or the liturgical calendar.  You see, this Sunday, which is just a couple of days away, is the first Sunday of Advent, and Advent marks the beginning of the church year that many Christian churches follow.  So again, Happy New Year!!!

Accompanying New Year celebrations, there are often hopes, thoughts, and sometimes even resolutions of how one would like the new year to be different than the previous year.  Since the new year I’m speaking of is more faith or spiritual related, the question for each of us to consider is, what would you like to be different about your spiritual life, your faith journey, for the year to come?  Once you’ve answered this question and know what you would like to be different about your life for the coming year, the next step is then establish a plan or a strategy that will help you live into the new patterns, behaviors, or attitudes that you would like to embrace in the new year! Yes, this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.

So, maybe you’d like to read the Bible more. That is certainly a noble desire, since as Christians we do consider the Bible to be God’s Word for our lives even today.  There are many good Bible reading plans available, even ones that have you read through the entire Bible in one year.  But there are many great plans out there, such as reading one chapter from the Old Testament and the New Testament each day.  Or, just read one chapter and then write about what you read and your thoughts about it.  The main idea, though, is to simply decide on a plan that works for you and stick with it.  Make it a priority.

Maybe you’d like to spend more time in prayer.  Again, that too is a worthy focus for a new year.  A good way to do this is to set an alarm on your watch or your smartphone for once, twice, three times a day, and use the alarm as a reminder to spend a minute or two talking to God and listening for God's voice in your life.  Or another option would be to join or form a group that focuses on spiritual disciples and learn and grow together with others about strengthening your prayer life.  

Another thought might be that you want to live into Jesus’ new command to “Love one another” more.  One of the most effective ways to become more “loving” is by serving and helping others.  Our church has multiple serving opportunities, as does our community with many fine non-profit organizations focusing on making our community and people’s lives better.

These are just a few examples of ways to grow in your spiritual life in the coming new year. The spiritual practice you wish to strengthen might be different than what I’ve mentioned above, but the principle is the same.  Set the goal and then start moving in the direction of making the new practice, pattern, or behavior a more consistent part of your life.  And then of course, celebrate the wins when you find your life being shaped in the new positive and desired direction.  

Yes, Advent is the beginning of a journey.  But not just a journey of preparing for the Christ Child, it’s really a journey of living, step by step, more fully into God’s Kingdom here on earth today!  So, Happy New Year everyone.  Let’s make it a great year of growing together in God’s Grace, Hope, and Love!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Giving Thanks 11.18.22

Turkeys are on sale at the grocery store, Stove Top Stuffing is conveniently stacked prominently at the end of an aisle, Cream of Mushroom soup is available right inside the main door, and pumpkin pie shells and pie filling are nicely displayed side by side in a very visible location.  It seems that a certain holiday, Thanksgiving, will soon be here, and the grocery stores are doing their part to make sure all our favorite foods will be conveniently available for us to purchase.

Of course, Nancy has put out some fall / Thanksgiving type decorations.  I’m even cleaning up my home office, with Nancy’s help, because we’ve got company coming (our children – and families). So, we need extra space for people to sleep.  Yes, Thanksgiving is coming, and the preparations are in process for a wonderful holiday.

So, the food preparations are likely well in hand for all of us and our homes are likely in pretty good order, what else needs to be done? Well, what about ourselves – you know, each of us? Are you…am I, emotionally or spiritually prepared for Thanksgiving? That’s a great question. Now just in case you’re wondering what there is to get ready for, I feel that Thanksgiving is more than just a national holiday. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on how the attitude of gratitude is developing and growing in each of our lives.

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi (Philippians) is known as a Letter of Joy.  In that short letter Paul repeatedly, five times, speaks of the Joy that is his, in spite of the fact that he is in prison when he writes the letter. Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians) should be referred to as Paul’s Letter of Thanksgiving because six times in the four short chapters, Paul speaks of giving thanks to God or being thankful and encourages Jesus followers to do the same.  

You might wonder, how is that possible??  You might be thinking that Paul doesn’t live in our world.  Paul doesn’t know about the economic conditions of our day; he doesn’t know about all the struggles in our nation and in our world.  He doesn’t know about the troubles of cancer or covid, or mental illness, etc.  Paul doesn’t know about the troubles of living in the 21st century.

What we all need to keep in mind is that Paul, likely born into a family of means, spent most of his adult years experiencing many trials and challenges as he faithfully followed Jesus.  In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he writes about all the struggles he’s endured; whipped, beaten with rods, stoned, three times shipwrecked, in danger from bandits, gentiles, and even Jewish authorities, etc.  2 Corinthians 11:24-28.  Despite all this, Paul is able to be filled with a spirit of thanksgiving and encourages each of us to do the same.  

You see, the truth that Paul knew in life that he wants to pass on to each of us is this, thankfulness in not so much about one’s circumstances, it’s about one’s disposition and character.  Even in the Old Testament, the Psalmist writes about giving thanks and praise to God and entering God’s presence with thanksgiving.  It wasn’t about just feeling it in one’s heart…it was about having an attitude, having the disposition that no matter what, no matter one’s circumstances, there is still much to be grateful for.  

Yes, the last couple years have been difficult in so many ways. There have been struggles in each of our lives, many that I’m not aware of. Yet, despite all of that, there is still so much that we can be thankful for. There is still so much goodness in this world and in our lives…because, no matter what, God is with us.

So, as we make our way to the Thanksgiving Holiday, now just a few days away, we all know we can’t go to Coborns or County Fair and pick up a one-pack or a family-pack of Thankfulness.  However, we can develop the type of thankfulness within us that Paul and many of the Psalmists speak of, by simply looking beyond our circumstances, to see the larger presence of blessings in our lives…as well as seeing and knowing, that no matter what…God is with us!  May we all continue to grow deeper in our attitude of gratitude!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Let The Children Come 11.10.2022

Have you heard it lately?? I have!! It’s incredible!! It’s a wonderful sound. It’s the sound of children in our church. It’s not just the sound of children coming to Sunday School. Oh, I enjoy that and interacting a bit with our children. But the sound I’m thinking of is the sound of children with us in worship!! To me, it’s the sound of children being taught through parent’s actions the value of connecting with a church family and the value of connection with God! Young children with their parents & families in worship is a beginning point for children learning to connect with the spiritual part within each of them.

I’m reminded of a church that I visited in the district I served when I was a district superintendent.  There were no children in that church.  They said it was much too quiet.  They also knew that without children and families in their church, that within a matter of years that church would most likely shut it’s doors forever.  They didn’t want that to happen, not just for the sake of the institution of the Church, but because that church family believed that Jesus still had much to offer their community and the world today.  

So, early in my time of ministry on the district, when I was meeting with this church family, and they were lamenting about their situation.  I asked them what they were going to do about it? They weren’t sure.  I made a comment about making babies.  They just laughed and said, “Look at us pastor.  That’s not happening.”  I asked them if they remembered how old Sarah was when she had a baby?”  I challenged them to take my question seriously, about what were they going to do about the lack of children in their church.  

After I left that meeting, and over the next several months…they started doing something about it.  They made some changes and improvements to make their church more children and family friendly.  They actually worked on becoming a friendlier and more inviting church family.  But the most important thing they did was that they began to pray for children.  

Two or three years later, when I visited them again toward the end of my time as their DS, they were so excited to report to me that they had 4-5 baptisms that past year.  They had even started a Sunday School.  They loved the sound of children in their church.  We had a great celebration that evening around about a remarkable change that had happened in their church and the fact there were children’s noises in their church building once again.  

I’m reminded of a well-known story told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  The story is of parents bringing their children to Jesus so he could be near him and experience his love.  The disciples were the curmudgeons, trying to keep the children away from Jesus, after all, he was a busy man.  He had more important things to do than have his day interrupted with children.  Fortunately, Jesus intervened and straighten the disciples out about what was most important.  You likely know the words Jesus spoke.  “Let the children come to me.  Do not stop them, for it is to one’s such as this that the Kingdom of God belongs.” Luke 18:16.  

I am so glad I serve a church that is open to and welcoming of children…and the sounds that often accompany children.  It is truly a wonderful sound and I believe it makes Jesus smile.  Next time you hear children noise in worship, give thanks to God and maybe even compliment the parents/family for understanding the importance of bringing children to church!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Be Just, Be Kind, Be Humble 11.4.2022

Can you believe it??!! We actually get to help pick the people who serve in the governmental offices that guide our community, state, and nation. How many people in our world can really say they feel like their vote or voice counts? But we have an opportunity to make a statement and help guide the direction of the leadership in the place where our citizenship lies. We do this through voting and elections.

If you feel that your vote doesn’t really matter, simply google “Elections decided by one vote.” A number of articles will appear before you that tell of numerous elections that have been decided by one vote. Some of those elections were even on a national level. In fact, a person from our church family ran for an elected position which ended in a tie and the winner was decided by the turn of a card. One vote either way could have made a difference.

Of course, most of us realize there is a bit of homework that we must do before we vote. This homework is to do a bit of learning about what the issues are, learning what candidates truly stand for, and then allowing that information to “inform” how we vote. Please don’t just take the information that one gets in the mailings, in the Facebook posts, in the TV, radio, and newspaper ads as the whole story. Generally, those are slanted toward a specific issue or toward a certain candidate. If an ad or a mailing stirs up feelings of fear or anxiety within you, that ad is definitely slanted in a certain direction and it’s getting the response from you it desires.

The truth is this participation in selecting our governmental leaders and officials is truly hard work. It takes our time and attention to be informed in order to make knowledgeable choices. Yet, this is such an important task in which we can participate. I’m reminded of the saying, “If you don’t vote you have no right to complain about the results.”

As a leader in the church, I have never told people who to vote for. In fact, in the past when “voter guides” were offered to our church, I wouldn’t accept them because I have found those are usually slanted toward a particular party or a particular issue. What I will do is encourage people to vote!! I’ll also tell people to vote their values. As followers of Jesus, another way to look at voting is to vote according to who or what will further the Kingdom of God here on earth, as you understand it.

A final word… Most of us have come to despise the election season, mainly because it tends to be filled with such negativity and divisiveness. Many of the higher profile campaigns tend to be more about tearing down one’s opponent than they are about stating what a candidate stands for. Because of this trend, a United Methodist Church in Kansas has committed to every two-years having a special campaign about how to treat our fellow human beings even in, especially in, an election year. This year the focus is called the “Be Campaign.” They are drawing from Micah 6:8 which states that what God expects of us is to Be Just, Be Kind, and Be Humble. So, as we make our way through the last few days before the actual election day, maybe we can have our own “Be Campaign.” May we each seek to Be Just, Be Kind to one another and may we remember to Be Humble in how we live out our faith and our values each and every day.

So, as we enter this election season – please do your homework and research the candidates and issues, please vote your values, no matter which candidate best represents your values, and most of all…get out there and vote. It does make a difference!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Do Not Be Afraid 10-28-22

Here we are in the season of candy and costumes, tricks or treats, monsters and eerie music, and ghosts and goblins of all shapes and sizes. It’s the season of Halloween, a season that often highlights the more fear-filled side of life. A neighbor of ours has a yard full of inflatables; monsters, pumpkins, witches, and all sorts of creatures that would make our hair stand on end and bring out a fear response in the most stoic person, if they were real. In fact, those inflatables are real to our dog. She doesn’t like them much!

I would argue we don’t need a special holiday to draw attention to the reality of fear in our midst. Currently, it seems that heightened anxiety and elevated fearfulness is all around us, and maybe even within us because of various world and societal trends and realities. Maybe Halloween simply provides an opportunity to laugh at or have some fun with the subject of fearfulness in our world and lives, and that’s not all bad.

Yet, as people of faith living in an age of chaos and uncertainty, we have an important phrase to help us deal with the fear that touches our lives. It’s a simple four-word phrase. “Do not be afraid.” For those of us who claim the Christian faith, our Bible has the theme of not being afraid woven through its pages and stories. From the beginning in Genesis to the final story of Revelation, one can find the words, “Do not be afraid” stated over and over again. This statement, “Do not be afraid.” isn’t intended to be a “live in denial” type phrase, but rather it’s intent is to be a word of faith-filled hopefulness.

Probably the most well-known people in the Bible to hear the message “Do not be afraid!” is that of Mary and Joseph. Both received this message from a messenger of God, as the angel shared the plan of what God was about to do in the world for all humanity. Hearing this simple message didn’t erase all the uncertainty or doubts, or clear away all the problems that Mary and Joseph would face in the future. But the angel’s “Do not be afraid” message did communicate the hope-filled reality that God was at work in this situation and in their lives. I believe the same is true for each of us as we, like Mary and Joseph, seek to live faithfully in a world filled with uncertainty and chaos.

So, over the next few days as we enjoy the costumes that are paraded before us, as we smile and laugh at some of the “scary” things in our midst, may we also receive a message God has for us yet today, “Do not be afraid!” And as we receive this message for our lives, may we also hear the word of hope behind it. The simple message, “God is at work.” Even in the craziness and confusion of this world we live in, we can know and believe, God is at work! And because of this reality, fear does not have the final word in this world or in our lives! Remember…God is at work…which means God is with us! And that means fear doesn’t rule in our lives. This Halloween hear the message…Do not be afraid!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Autumn Transformation 10-21-22

First United Methodist Church

310 North Rowley, Mitchell, SD 57301

Rev. Keith Nelson, Lead Pastor

keith@mitchellfumc.org

605.630.6586

This is certainly a great time of year in that there are such beautiful colors all around. I have several friends who are pretty good with a camera, so I know this is a great time of year to check out their Facebook pages because there will be a lot of beautiful nature picture displayed there. Some of you in our church family have posted pictures of the fall beauty from your yard, your neighborhood, or from your travels. It is a beautiful time of year!!

It also seems that this is the time of year where I will hear the comment made, “Why can’t this colorful beauty be a year-round thing?” Now, I am no botanist or plant biologist so I don’t know the intricacies of plant life. But I do know there are reasons in nature why the Fall colors only appear at a certain time of year. The simple answer I would give is, it’s not the right season.

A week or two ago I was out for my morning run and I noticed several trees. A couple of them had pretty much changed to their beautiful fall colors but another tree right there with them was still displaying mostly green leaves. I wondered about this for a bit. Why would one tree not be making the change in colors when the other trees around it were clearly into the fall “change?”

There were two answers that came to my mind. 1. Keith, you can’t see what might be going on deep within that tree. Maybe the transformation is taking place, it’s just at a level, or depth, that isn’t visible yet. 2. It’s not the right season.

As I pondered these thoughts about these trees, a new question entered my mind. “Do you suppose the same answers might apply to people?” Think about it…we’ve all done it. We’ve all looked at a person and thought to ourselves… “They have such potential…why can’t they see it…why are they doing that…why are they wasting their time, energy, skill, ability, love, faith, etc., doing that? The answer might be that God is at work bringing transformation to that person’s life, it’s just at a deeper level than what we can see. Or it might be that it’s just not the right season in the person’s life.

Like the tree I wondered about, there was probably a force at work that I wasn’t aware of. The same, I believe, is true in people’s lives. As United Methodists, that’s what we call Prevenient Grace. God is at work in a child, youth, or adult’s life in ways that we can’t always see. But it’s not our perspective that counts…it’s God that sees and brings transformation into reality. I’m hoping and believing that God is still at work within me, creating the thing of beauty that God knows is there. I believe the same is true for each of us…and even for our Church.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Moment by Moment- Say "Yes!"

Downtown Mitchell First UMC

310 North Rowley, Mitchell, SD 57301

Rev. Keith Nelson, Lead Pastor

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

I surrender! This seems like a simple enough phrase. How many different ways can you think of to say it…to say, “I surrender?” As a kid, I can remember being told, “Say uncle,” when someone was twisting my arm behind my back. I don’t understand that word being used in that way, but it basically meant that I surrendered to the person doing the arm twisting. I wasn’t going to fight them. “I give up” or “I give in” is another way of saying, “I surrender.” In debate or in driving, to say, “I yield” means that a person surrenders the right to speak or the right-of-way to another. “I concede” is another way of saying I surrender. Another way of communicating, “I surrender” is to simply wave a white flag. I’m guessing there are several other ways of saying this little two-word phrase that basically means, I give up.

I was reflecting on this simple phrase recently because I spoke to the youth of our church about surrendering during their Overflow Wednesday evening worship service. They had recently watched a movie that involved a person surrendering to God. As is so often the case, the moment of surrender was very dramatic and highly emotional. In fact, one of the youth had written a question for me to respond to. Their question was, “What does it mean to surrender to God?” That’s a great question!!

As I was wrestling with how to talk to the youth about surrendering to God, I was also reading and working with a story from the Gospel of Luke. It was the story of Jesus first recorded encounter with Simon Peter. The story is recorded in Luke 5:1-11. In this story Jesus is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. A crowd forms and starts pressing in on Jesus. Rather than being forced into the water, Jesus steps into a fishing boat nearby.

Jesus then asks Simon Peter to push out a little bit away from shore so Jesus can see and talk to the crowd. Now, the story doesn’t record it, but obviously Simon’s response is “Yes” verbally or nonverbally, because Simon pushes his boat away from shore with Jesus in it.

After Jesus has finished teaching, Simon is likely thinking, “Great…it’s time to go in, then I can go home and rest.” But Jesus has other ideas. Jesus instructed Simon to push out into the deeper water and cast the nets in for a catch of fish. Understand, Peter had been fishing all night long, the usual time for a commercial fisherman to fish, and he hadn’t caught a thing. Simon starts to protest, but then again, through his actions he says, “Yes” and goes further out and drops the nets in. Suddenly a large catch of fish starts pulling and tearing he nets. Simon is amazed and then realizes that Jesus is the reason for this incredible catch.

The final scene of the story is that Jesus is inviting Simon Peter to join him on the journey of fishing for people. Obviously, Simon once again said “yes” because the final words are that he “left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:11b

As I worked with this story I began to realize surrendering to God doesn’t have to be something dramatic and emotional. It can be…but it doesn’t have to be. Surrendering to God is simply saying “Yes” to Jesus, day by day, moment by moment, just as Simon Peter had. I am one who believes surrendering to God or saying YES to Jesus isn’t a one-time event, but rather it is an ongoing thing in our lives, just as it was for Peter on that life- changing day on the Sea of Galilee. Day by day, moment by moment Jesus invites us to respond and follow. Moment by moment we have the opportunity to surrender and say “Yes.” However, Jesus never forces us. God never twists our arm until we say “Uncle.” We are always given space to respond as we wish.

Today may we recognize the ways and the opportunities that we have to say “Yes” to Jesus. In doing so we may find ourselves in deeper waters…but remember, we’ll also have Jesus in the boat with us.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith