Ain’t Nobody but God
As some of you know I went on a little trek across the pond this week. And while there, I was reminded about some of the language differences between the two places. I took lifts to and from the underground, was a passenger on a coach (aka charter bus), and used my mobile to take pictures. Language is strange. And while considering these rather minor language differences, I thought about all the times that I have managed to communicate with others without having to use words. When things were so harmonious or synchronized that words were not important to the process. Which leads me to a point, a theory, an idea, about what God’s community looks like.
You see, this last week also marked the grand re-opening of the Clothing Closet. There was much to do in preparation of any sort of opening, much less a grand re-opening complete with a ribbon cutting and a dedicating prayer. Behind the scenes people have already dedicated many hours to sorting, folding, and hanging clothes. Even with all this industriousness, there were a few other tasks just out there in limbo. Things that needed doing, like picking up change for the cash register, that are not necessarily things people would think to do. And yet…
Ain’t nobody but God who can organize people in such a way. All the tasks were done and with very little interference from one part of the body to the other. Tasks were not assigned so much as mentioned and volunteered for or communicated clearly in advance. Things like “I’ll update the pricing signs” or “I’ll go get our shopping baskets for customers”. From a pastoral perspective, so much of this just fell into place without anyone having to be in charge of making sure things happened. And then, and then! My friends, watching people pitch in to help each other with any given task was also such a wonderful thing to see. I am fairly certain that nobody worked entirely alone on any one aspect of getting things ready to serve the community once more, even if they did 99.9% of the work for a specific task.
When I think about what God’s kingdom on earth might look like, I have come to the very biased opinion that it might look something like what I witnessed in the days leading up to the opening of the Clothing Closet. Was it perfect? Were we all the way there? No. However, it gave me hope that it is possible. Social holiness was never going to be an easy thing- it only takes one person to be fearful or greedy or selfish to cause devastation, destruction, or pain. In this instance our failings were not so drastic or dramatic, but God’s grace went before us, guiding us, offering us mercy and peace, and with just a little bit of trust on our part, God is already doing such incredible things. Including helping me title my article today.
The title for my post today comes from a podcast that I listened to on my travels (there’s nothing like a 9+ hour flight to help you catch up on your podcasts) because it just seemed to fit with the theory that the kingdom of God is possible. You can listen to the same episode here, but be advised, I only took the line from the podcast. The premise came from a different source. My journey also included watching a movie on the plane that had me crying which included the line “Because maybe that’s what the world needs. A little less sense, and a little more faith.” How does our church life, our community, our relationship with others function when we truly give God all the credit, all the glory, and all the power? When we trust that God knows what is happening and guiding things in the right direction? When we trust that others are also seeking to serve God? My experience says it looks like the folks at VVUMC who have poured themselves into this project, though I also suspect this is far from the first time this has happened.
Which leaves me with a hope that this is a word of encouragement to you. That you know you have what it takes to add something to what God is already doing. That God can use anybody and everybody to do the extraordinary. That in trusting in God you are already doing something because it truly is God who does the heavy lifting. Ain’t nobody but God who can do it all. The rest of us need a little help. May this next week have a little less sense and a little more faith.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSVUE)
