Do we lack or have abundance?

As I mentioned yesterday, we live in a culture that thrives on fear and the threat of scarcity. From our early childhood we are seduced by advertising and marketing to believe that we are lacking, that we do not have enough, that more is the answer to our restlessness. Of course, we quickly forget the wisdom of Augustine: our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.

I cannot say that I have every truly lacked anything.  Now, that is not to say that I have not wallowed in self-pity or the perception of lack. But, in growing toward maturity, I can say truthfully that I have never gone hungry, never been without provision of some kind. Have I feared the lack? Yes and powerfully so.  Fear of scarcity is what compelled me to seek an education.  

A false sense of pride in autonomy, independence, has only led to my own misery in several instances.  The truth is that we need each other, like it or not.  In the last few years I have known the fear of "what if" on many occasions.  I have known the fear of scraping for money for the next meal.  I have known the fear of having no home and no way to provide safety for my family. But, God has provided. 

In fact, God has more than provided. I have known some incredible, mind blowing acts of generosity over the last few years which has shattered my German sense of self reliance and pride. This is the key to remembrance for me.

Scripture calls us to find where our story intersects with its stories. As author, Sue Monk Kidd advises, when our stories die we can't remember who we are or why we are here.  Many people prefer to live in the rear-view mirror, especially in the church, in a most unhealthy way.  Many love to romanticize the good old days and conveniently gloss over the tougher times.  But true remembrance does not leave us stuck; it propels us forward in trust, in boldness with the assurance that scarcity will not prevail.  True remembrance reminds us of who we are, where we have been, and Who has been with us for each step.

I think one key to overcoming our fear of scarcity and the seduction of "more" is to live with a sense of gratitude.  That seems to be the goal of healthy remembering.  We all admit that we take so much for granted and we do.  We do not pause to remember that we have passed through many valleys and still stand strong this day. Gratitude impels us from the pit of whatever present circumstances seem unsavory to a sense of liberation that has prevailed and is woven in our lives.

I strive each day to "keep the picture frame small."  That is much easier said than done especially as a minister in the contemporary church. I try not to worry about what is coming tomorrow or what has been yesterday. The general sense of provision and liberation in my story of walking with God is enough to sustain me, to evoke gratitude, and to allow me to be present for what must be done.  

As we celebrate two churches coming together today, two traditions, two histories, two stories, we also pause to celebrate the reality of One God, one shared mission, one identity in the Body of Christ.  Will we live into this relationship with fear and a sense of scarcity or jealousy, or will we trust in the abundance already present among us?

A prayer from Walter Brueggemann:

The witnesses tell us that your promises persist

and will come to fruition;

We find that retelling of such promises deeply compelling

in our own lives.

You are the God who reached our family not yet formed.

You uttered promise and sent father Abraham on his daring way.

You assured mother Sarah of impossibility

and sent her laughing in disbelief.

You hoped them to new land,

and since have been giving sons and daughters and

futures and possibilities,

beyond all that we can hope or imagine.

We are the glad carriers and recipients of those promises.

We live each time from the trace of your future

that keeps surprising us with 

gifts and chances and hopes.

But your promises seem so flimsy, so risky, so unsure.

We keep fashioning better guarantees.

We lie a little here and cheat a little there.

We add our own securities,

and then find that every land of promise

becomes a turf of killing dispute.

The promise fades; it feels more like we are on our own.

So do this yet today.  Match the goodness of your promise

with the daring of our faith.

Let us trust beyond seeing,

risk beyond laughing,

yield beyond calculating.

By supper time give us the freedom that belongs to your "Yes,"

Your "Yes" we have seen fleshed in glad obedience.

Amen.