Sermon 6-20-2010
I Kings 19:11-12 Galatians 3:26-28
Finding God in the Silence
Our lectionary readings this morning “invite us to turn our whole selves – body, mind and spirit – towards God, who envelops us in grace. God nourishes and sustains us, and reaches out to us in the depths of despair or loneliness. There are challenges in being faithful; God delights in each one of us and supports us as we journey in God’s presence.”
(From: Seasons of the Spirit, Cong. Life/Pentecost 1/Year C/2010/pg. 40)
PRAYER
As you may have noticed down stairs, the C.E. board has created a quiet place for
our children and youth to use and enjoy. “This place is created to provide a space where they can go and be quiet and find God in the silence.
The purpose is to invite the children to use their multiple intelligences or senses. Visual children for example may enjoy sitting and reading story or prayer books. For those whose learning happens through touching and feeling, some objects of nature can be available for viewing and handling. Cushions of different fabrics can also provide texture and color. Music is helpful to those who like to relax by listening to the sounds of nature.”
(From: Seasons of the Spirit, Cong. Life/Pentecost 1/Year C/2010/pg. 45)
This description not only helps us to know why do we do things the way we do in church for our children and youth but also is an invitation for us, that we might think about creating our own quiet space in the middle of our often busy, crazy and noisy lives.
Let us look at the text of I Kings; the events that brought the prophet Elijah
running to the wilderness is a long list and we would need to read chapters 17 to 19, to understand it all. In short, Elijah as a prophet of the God of Israel, “faces off against 450 prophets of the god of Baal by challenging them to consume a designated sacrifice fire.” (Trevor Eppehimer, “Feasting on the Word,” Year C, Vol. 3, pg. 150)
“Elijah appears suddenly on the scene to set up an overwhelmingly impressive demonstration of God’s superiority over the god of Baal, culminating with God’s victory and the slaughter of all the prophets of Baal. The story in chapter 19 begins with Queen Jezebel swearing to get revenge on Elijah… who finds himself running for his life. Elijah goes into the wilderness… where he despairingly asks God to let him die (in lieu of being killed by Jezebel).”
(Carrie N. Mitchell, “Feasting on the Word,” Year C, Vol. 3, pg. 148)
And there in his fear, an angel of God feeds him, providing food and water for his strength and invites him to go deeper into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights coming to mount Horeb where he rested in a cave.
“Elijah listened for God’s voice. He hears a great and powerful wind. But Elijah didn’t hear God in the wind. After the wind stopped, the earth began to shake. But Elijah didn’t hear God in the earthquake. Then Elijah heard the sound of fire. But Elijah didn’t hear God in the fire. Then everything was still and quiet. Then there was a tiny, small voice – just a soft whisper. What are you doing here, Elijah? In the stillness Elijah heard God telling him not to give up. God had an important work for him.” (From: Seasons of the Spirit, Cong. Life/Pentecost 1/Year C/2010/pg. 43)
“This story reminds us that although we may feel separated from God and are tempted to give up… God is always providing for us. Why would God do otherwise? After all God created each one of us uniquely for a purpose… Where is God when we feel needy? Elijah certainly expected to find God in the earth (quake), wind, and fire, but God was not there. Instead, God was in the sound of silence. (Let us listen to the CD of the Sounds of Silence). The famous song of Simon and Garfunkel – had it right – we need to listen to the sounds of silence (the plight of the oppressed, the vacant faces of the homeless, the cries of the undernourished children), because in them God is encouraging us to persevere.”
(Carrie N. Mitchell, idem)
Where is our mission youth going? To Pennsylvania to a community where there is a great need! Have you been there before?, perhaps not. My invitation is for you to find silent moments in the middle of the noises that you are going to encounter all around you, and not to go with preconceived expectations. “When Elijah first responded to God’s calling, he did not expect to have his life threatened by Queen Jezebel. And that he was then going to be protected by an angel.”
(Carrie N. Mitchell, idem)
Know that because you travel from this community of faith that God’s spirit goes with you. Be sensitive to differences and try to listen to the silence.
Let me tell you a famous story: “A shipwrecked man prays to God to save him. A boat approaches, but the man tells it to go away because God will save him. The boat leaves. A second boat arrives, and the man sends it away, saying God will save him. The man dies of exposure. When he gets to heaven, he complains to God for not saving him when he prayed. God tells the man he sent two boats to save him but the man sent them away. (So, what do we learn from this?)
“We must remain open to God’s communication vehicles, rather than our preconceived expectations. We are a people who like to know what to expect; but when we stop expecting… (God surprises us in the most) obvious places and God exceeds our expectations.” (Carrie N. Mitchell, pg. 150)
So as you prepare yourselves to go to Pennsylvania go with no preconceived notions. You may find though that perhaps those who are waiting for your coming are having some kind of expectations from you.
So be prepared to see beyond others expectations of you so that God can surprise you in those obvious places. Then in the noises of your work, friends and strangers, may you find the sounds of silence:
To a crying child… may you offer your arms to hold him or her
To a hurting mother… may you offer a listening ear
At a funny joke or not so funny… may you offer a good laugh or a smile
With what is unfamiliar... may you be gracious and kind
In the work that you do… may others see hope!
Let us end by reading together the Call to Worship, changing the response to be:
“Yes, you are with us, O God.”
When we find ourselves alone in the wilderness…
In the stillness…
When we are afraid…
In unknown places…
When we feel rejected by others…
In all times and places…
