Steve & Shirley
“One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, ‘As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.'” – 2 Kings 6:1-2
“PLEASE EXCUSE THE MESS. WE ARE BUILDING TO SERVE YOU BETTER.” Yes, we have a mess around our house because of moving. Boxes and stuff everywhere. Today I want to talk about another mess….
You’ve seen the signs haven’t you? New construction is messy, no doubt, but it always says something about the vision of the ones who undertake it. It says that somebody has recognized the constrictions of current operations and has decided to invest the time, energy and resources necessary for expansion.
New construction and building expansions are messy, but not as messy as attempting to ensconce broad visions into narrow structures; not as messy as trying to see a panoramic view through a myopic lens; not as messy as pouring new wine into old wine skins; not as messy as subjecting the vistas of the universal to the constructs of the parochial.
When democracy works right, it’s messy. Justice always seems to travel down tumultuous roads of stops and starts; pain and progress; exhilaration and exasperation.
Yet, the new construction continues, as more of us recognize that many structures of the status quo are still too narrow to fully accommodate whole classes of disenfranchised people.
The recent Supreme Court rulings on the Voting Rights Act, Affirmative Action and Gay Marriage have caused some people to rejoice and others to recoil. But whatever the reaction, I take heart in knowing that in America, the ground is still shifting, and new constructs of public policy and social consciousness are still being created.
If you’re going to make an omelet, you’ve got to crack some eggs.
Excuse the mess while we build a more perfect union… and, Lord knows, we need it badly. Too many people are hurting, left out, disenfranchised or marginalized.
Dear Lord, we are so grateful that our visions do not have to be limited to the perimeters of our current context. Give us the commitment and courage to carry on the construction of more inclusive habitats for humanity that all your children may be included in the good care of life. Amen.
Grace and Peace
Steve
PS: Tonight at our favorite Lowe’s Home Improvement Store, I think we saw one of the guys from Duck Dynasty… or a want-to-be. He had on a cap with flaps pulled down, a beard (on him – not the hat), long hair and shabby clothes. He parked over in the contractor’s parking area. I tried to take a picture for your enjoyment… If it appears here you will know that I found it. If I see him again I will try to get a better picture.
Retirement is wonderful. I have worn shorts every single day. Enjoyed worship Sunday morning through internet streaming from Myers Park UMC. We are planning a vacation for the first week in August. It is rough but someone has to do it. I must bear this cross.
The Journey 
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