I have been thinking about the virtue of humility, especially as it relates to being the church…Many years ago, I found myself in a situation where I could not figure out what to do next. But because I was “in charge,” I did my best. Now, I look back on it and wish I had been more humble, more able to ask for help, more willing to admit my shortcomings.
I think sometimes when we are responsible we have trouble saying, “I don’t know” and “What do you think?” This requires humility and humility is hard. I think this happens because as adults, as leaders, as parents, as whatever role we find ourselves in, we feel like we should know, and when we don’t, we have trouble admitting it.
Last Sunday, we started talking about what it means to be the Church, especially in today’s world. We looked at the metaphor of soil as one way we might understand how we are called to be the church in today’s world. You see, the church is the soil where we find nourishment, but if we were honest, we’d have to admit that soil is messy. The church is messy. Life is messy.
But the good news is that when we are humble, God works through the church. God takes our best efforts and multiplies them. This is because the church matters both to God and to the world. The church is where we find faith and God calls us to be part of it, even in its messiness.
Sunday, I planted a plant as part of worship, and after church I took it back to my car. Of course, it tipped over and now I need a vacuum. But you know what, it did make me smile.
I invite you to listen to last week’s message here, in case you missed it.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Nicole