Return

Have you ever really messed something up, and felt the intense guilt and shame for what you have done?  Then, have you been redeemed, restored and renewed?  The first feels bad and hurts all the way to your heart.  The second is one of the most wonderful experiences ever.

I wonder if we, in our distracted, divided and diverted way, have some of these feelings about our relationship with God.  On one hand, we are tired and feel like we are doing all we can.  Then, when we reflect on our faith journey, we realize we have not been the Christians and followers we should be.  I, for one, have this conviction.  What about you?

In Nehemiah's day, Israel was lethargic, apathetic and fearful, as they neglected the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem.  Walls were a sense of pride, safety and security in Nehemiah's day.  In 445BC Nehemiah, with great opposition from inside and outside his people, supervised the restoration of the wall around the city.  It was about 4,000 meters long, 12 meters high, and 2.5 meters thick.  Nehemiah is upset that the people had ignored the wall for half a decade, and he prays to God for 1) forgiveness, 2) patience and, 3) help in doing their duty to protect Jerusalem.  He remembers what God said to Moses ... "return to me and practice My commandments. Then, even if your exiles have been banished from the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for a dwelling for My name!"

What a promise!  It is an if, then statement.

1. If we return to God and practice His commandments - God didn't move then and God hasn't moved now.  It is our job to both return and practice what God has told us.

2. Then, God will provide some amazing blessings - a. God will gather His people, b. God will gather even those who have been "banished" to the farthest horizon, c. God will bring the people to the place God has chosen as a dwelling for His name.

Here are some questions as we (over the weeks from now to Pentecost) examine the process of "return."

1. What does "return" mean?

2. What are some ways we can "return" in our church-context?

3. Do we actually believe that Abbeville United Methodist Church is a place God has chosen as a dwelling for His name?

4. If the answer to 3 is "yes," how can we make it right for God's glory?

5. Can we become like the people of Nehemiah's day that resisted persecution and restored the wall in 52 days.

The story of Nehemiah is true.  The challenge to us is to both know and practice God's word and plan.  And it will be up to God to give us strength, resources and energy to get the task(s) accomplished.  I am all in ... how about you?  Randy