Think About Now and About 30 Years From Now
We were led through a vision exercise in England in this church, pictured here. Don’t think 3-5 years, think 30 years, Al Gordon said. He said he met too many churches that — as the saying goes — overestimate what they can do in 1 year and underestimate what they can do in 10. What about 30? Can you think through one generation’s worth of change? How does that help you work now?In 30 years I really hope that our son, Reed, is in the prime of his life. Mid-30’s. Could I imagine what a career would look like for him if he were to return to Port Orchard? What do I want people to be working on here? What do I want the quality of the water where I hope he can fish and kayak? What food can he eat? How are the schools his kids would attend?
We walked through that vision exercise while sitting in the renewed space of St. John’s in Hackney. They describe the church as a “cathedral for creativity.” The sanctuary was rebuilt in 1792 on a foundation where people have been worshipping since 1275, where people are still worshipping, where Coldplay had a concert, and where every week 200 moms bring their babies for “Hello, Baby.” Oh, and the roof is covered in bees to bring life to the local backyard gardens. Their prayer space [Hallelujah] was designed by the woman who designs Beyoncé’s tours. There’s a screen on the floor and one on the ceiling which project images of contrasting disparities – wealth, peace, environment, relationship – and the one coming to pray is encouraged to “mind the gap,” standing in the gap between the extremes, as the Church is meant to do, and talk to God about bringing his will in heaven to earth.
Now, that didn’t all come together in a day or a year or with one person. But it’s changing the neighborhood. And it’s deeply impacting me.
I’m holding that picture steady in my mind, of what renewal is possible in 30 years, as we move from thinking about work in the here and now with Jesus to life forever with him. We’ve opened a sermon series of the images in the book of Revelation that bring us security in times of anxiety. These are future-leaning, graspable images of who is in charge, a full “why” for everything in the world coming, for belonging, for peace and unity. Amen.
AND they’re meant to come to life now, by God’s Spirit! “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand! Repent and believe the Good News!” was the message of John the Baptist and of Jesus 2000 years ago. This Kingdom is still right-at-hand!
Tom [N.T.] Wright encouraged us deeply while we were in Oxford. He talked at length about the continuity of the new heavens and the new earth in the work that we’re a part of here and now. He said of Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good WITH those who love him and who are called according to his purpose” (RSV). Therefore, “WE become the place where God’s Spirit is working in the world to bring his love.”
So even as schools finish up and the routine of the summer sets in;
even as you see more neighbors and connect after what has been for many a long hibernation;
even as you work through the unique struggles of your life;
even as your work [or lack there of] feels more monotonous than life-giving;
even as you wonder where all this is going…
Keep confidence that the God we are seeking together and worshipping is the God who is and who was and who is to come. Our God is giving us his Spirit even now to bring renewal to every place where we walk and every person who comes to mind. You—we—get to participate in that renewal when we pray and when we work with God to bring all things together for good.
Today matters. What you’re doing matters. He is with you.