September 2010
Dear Wahiawa UMC Ohana,
Change. The most well known proverb about change goes something like, "The only constant that doesn't change, is change." We have had a lot of changes recently at Wahiawa United Methodist Church. Some days, it has seemed like there was so much change that we couldn't keep up. Amidst all this change, I have gone back to the life of Jesus, to think of all the change he experienced, all the change he brought to the lives of all those he touched during his brief ministry, and how Jesus continues to bring change and transformation into our lives.
A good example of this is the disciples who were fishermen, called by Jesus. Last week, I saw a video by Rev. Rob Bell in which he talked about the disciples whose lives were changed by Jesus. In Matthew 4:18-22 we have the story of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who left their nets immediately after Jesus called to them. Just as soon as Peter and Andrew joined Jesus, he called to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who had gone into business with their fisherman father. They were in their boat, hard at work mending their nets when Jesus called to them. Immediately they left their boat, their nets and their father and followed Jesus.
From fishermen to "Fishers of Men," just because Jesus called to them? How could that happen? On the video Rev. Bell explained that only the best of the best were called to be disciples of a rabbi. Since these four men were fishing, it means that they hadn't made the "cut" to be chosen to be disciples of a rabbi. Jesus was their opportunity to be part of those who were chosen, to be the "best of the best."
Just so, Jesus calls to us today, in the midst of our comfortable lives, while we are mending our nets. Jesus calls to us to follow him into a future that will certainly include unknown adventure and to be "the best of the best." Just as the disciples could not know what following Christ would mean to them, we cannot know exactly where following Jesus will lead us as members of Wahiawa UMC. Of course, we will plan, we will organize, we will dream big and pray. Ultimately, however, it is being willing to leave our nets and follow with faith in Christ that will lead us on our way.
Let us rejoice that Jesus continues to call to us, to lead us, to guide us, to help us put one foot in front of the other, day by day, as we follow. As we begin another fall and school year, with new opportunities for ministry, let us follow Christ joyfully and with gratitude wherever He leads.
With the Blessing of Christ, and Much Aloha to you all,
Pastor Fran
