Summer Greetings!
Let me start by saying that it is so wonderful to be back with all of you now that my paternity leave has officially ended. Having that time to invest in my family and grow closer with Zachy was amazing, and I am beyond thankful. I can’t wait for him to continue to grow into who God has created him to be. This past week we had our annual Vacation Bible School program which afforded me a sneak peek of what awaits us with him in just a few years’ time. I’d like to start by saying thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped make this week possible, and especially to our Children’s Ministry Director Jana Hegg. Our congregation had the privilege of welcoming over 50 students from 9 different congregations, each one of them a radiant and shining reminder that we are all made in the image of God.
The theme for the first day was “I wonder,” and that phrase returned throughout the week, especially in the 5th and 6th grade group where I helped out. We asked the students to give us their biggest questions. You know, really easy stuff like what happens after you die? And why do bad things happen to good people? And how does Jesus fit into the Harry Potter universe? Super simple questions … not! On day two, we divided into small groups to talk about the questions, and I started the conversation in my group by admitting that I, unfortunately, didn’t know all the answers to those questions. Shocking, I know! Now that’s not to say that I don’t have some insights and wisdom to share around those questions, but I wanted them to know that just because I’ve been to seminary, and am a pastor, that doesn’t mean that I know all the answers. In fact, I actually have some of the same questions that they do.
Some people will claim that there is no room for questioning, or doubts, or wonders when it comes to faith. They believe that God requires absolute, blind, never-wavering belief from us. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. First of all, the opposite of faith isn’t doubt, it’s apathy. To doubt means that you care about something enough to think critically about it, to engage with it, and wrestle with it. Think about how different our world would be if we, as the old quote says, chose to opt for curiosity instead of judgement. Rather than jumping to conclusions, or making assumptions, or simply shutting down for fear of looking stupid, if instead we were bold enough to ask questions, to share our doubts, and to say, “I wonder.” What is it that you wonder about, dear people of Bethlehem? Whatever it is, I can say with absolute certainty that you are not the only one. And when we are brave enough to share our doubts and wonders with one another, we build a stronger community based on trust, openness, and love. The exact kind of community that Jesus intended for the body of Christ to be.
Yours in faith, doubt, wonder, and hope, Pastor Sam