Dear St. Paul’s Family,
A few of my nieces are picky eaters. For a period of time, it seemed like all they ever ate were chicken nuggets and fries or tater tots. And of course, lots and LOTS of ketchup! This makes planning a family dinner a little difficult, because we either have to make a separate meal for the kids, or pick something that there’s a chance they’ll eat.
When we moved to New Jersey, there was a period of time when my daughter, Ella, could tell her cousins that something was her favorite food, or even just that it was really good, and it would convince the girls to try it. Since Ella liked it, it must be good. Since then, we’ve tried to convince them that something new might turn out to be their favorite food, but they just don’t know it yet. For a long time, their minds were already made up before the food even hit their mouth. But recently, my oldest niece has done a better job of actually trying new foods and considering if she likes them or not. There’s been a few bad experiences, but in trying new foods, she’s even found a few new favorites.
It’s always a little scary to try something new. All of the things that could go wrong always seem to come to mind first. Whether it’s new foods, new hobbies, or even a new job, doing something new and different can cause a lot of anxiety. Much of that anxiety comes from imagining things going wrong. But, it’s just as likely that everything will turn out okay.
The impulse to focus on the bad things that could happen stops us from seeing all the benefits of trying something new, even if it doesn’t work out. It takes effort to imagine a positive outcome. But, part of living in faith and hope means that we learn to step outside our comfort zone and try new things, especially when we feel called by God to do so.
The story of Abraham starts with God calling Abraham to something new. God says, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). It’s easy to imagine all the things that could have gone wrong. God is calling Abraham to leave the country and land that he knew, the place where he felt safe and comfortable, and sending him into a new, unknown land. But despite all of that, Abraham goes.
Very few of us are called like Abraham to move states or countries. However, God is calling all of us to new things. Maybe you are being called to get involved in your community or at St. Paul’s by volunteering. You could be called to share your gifts of music in the choir, bell choir, or through special music. You could be called to join Bible Study, to share your insights and wisdom with us here. You could be called to teach youth or adults, to volunteer in worship or with altar guild behind the scenes. You could be called to join a committee, like Stewardship or Social Ministry. Or, you might even be called to join Council, to help lead and advise St. Paul’s. You could be called to advocate for the least, the lost, the forgotten, and the abandoned.
It’s also important to note that when God called Abraham, Abraham was not a young man. God works in us and calls us to try new things at all stages of our lives. You’re never too old to read the lessons in worship or greet people at the door. You’re never too old to pray for those in need or send a card of encouragement to someone going through a tough time. And you’re never too young to start learning how to usher, help with fellowship, or help with collections for our food pantry and other ministries.
Along with his new call, Abraham received a promise from God. “…I will bless you,…so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2). It’s not a promise that everything will work out okay, and it’s not a promise that it will be easy. It is a promise that God will provide Abraham with skills and help along the way.
We have this same promise, too. As we live and work in God’s kingdom, as we answer God’s call to try new things, God promises to bless us. Through the blessing that God gives us, God promises to make us a blessing to our family, our church, our community, and our world.
God doesn’t call us to do these new things alone. We are called into community to work with one another as a church in our ministry. This is part of the blessing that God has for us and that God creates in us. God works in us to become members of a loving, active, and holy people, caring for each other and supporting each other as we are all called by God in our communities and our world.
We are called to try new things, to discover love for a new ministry, find a new passion, and become more deeply involved in the community that we care for and that cares for us. We are called to “Get up and go…” to be blessed and to be a blessing, and to allow these new things to become a part of our faith lives.
Peace,
Rev. Jessica Hahn