Who I've Never Met

I haven't met one yet. It's not like I haven't looked, I just haven't met one. I wonder if the whole thing is some twisted myth.

Rumor has it they are real and living among us. But, I've never laid eyes on one in my entire life. I don't think anyone has ever gotten a picture of one either. I don't think they're real.

It's assumed that they could mix in with the rest of us, but if they were real I don't think they would blend in. No, if they really existed they would stand out like a bulldozer in a Corvette parade. I'm sure I've never met one.

Please understand, I have met some who claim to be one of them - but, I don't believe them. I have had people go out of their way to convince me that they are one. They have a list of reasons why I should think they are one - but I don't buy it.

Some people have convinced themselves that they are one of them. But, just because someone thinks they are one doesn't mean they are. No matter how disappointed they are I have to tell them they are wrong and pretending doesn't change anything.

I have never laid eyes on one... ever. I just don't believe they exist.

I suppose I could keep looking, but I'd just be wasting my time. The rumors are wrong. And if you think you are one you're doing nothing but playing games.

A person that God doesn't love? They just don't exist.

Amazed,

Pastor Dave

9-20-13

There's a problem with how we look at our faith journey - we expect respect. In some ways respect is the golden calf that we bend our knee to. When it's not granted we either respond by sulking in or lashing out. 

Lance Ford wrote, "Once we agree to be God's slave, he gives us the assignment of serving other humans. And humans do not treat servants and slaves well." [Lance Ford, Unleader, (Kansas City, Beacon Hill, 2012), 96.]  

There's a problem. God wants us to be his slave and serve others, while we want to be respected and successful. 

I wonder if our nation's history makes it harder to follow Christ. We have the embarrassing blemish of human slavery in our photo album and we've spent years trying to undo its impact. Slavery is undesirable. In fact since 1863 it's illegal. Our denomination was in full support of that.  We are about human freedom.

But then there's the God thing. While we proclaim, "no one owns me!" God looks for a slave. While we demand our right to be treated well God asks us to serve.

I am a "Free Methodist" that is in bondage to the call of Christ. I have the right to… serve. One man should never own another man, unless that Man built the universe. 

Never turn down serving God to be a success to humans. It's a rotten trade.

Thinking,

Pastor Dave