Wednesday's thoughts

"Gloria's God"

Short sermons are more difficult than long ones to write. Probably the reverse is true in terms of which are easiest for the hearer, but for the writer and preacher a short sermon is hard.

I am writing a short sermon this week. That means it will be 13 minutes rather than the usual 20. The candle we light Sunday is the Candle of Joy. The choir will sing John Rutter's "Gloria".

I am picking up on two themes that, I hope, will bring together the beauty and meaning of the music and the significance of the Advent season.

Our choir, and we, ourselves, seek to find ways to give God glory, but how do we do that? What does it mean to glorify God in a world like this? Is this an activity that is alien to the way we live our lives or the work we do or the way we do it?

Is giving God glory more than just living right or doing the right thing?

I think it begins with ethics but it moves beyond that. It move from ethics to aesthetics. It moves from lifestyle to art. We give glory to God when we learn to make our lives "a statement" of what we believe and who we are. We give God glory when what we do and how we do it evolves into style and class, and that becomes something we don't have to think about; we just do it. It comes so naturally that we cannot help ourselves and it becomes a part of our identity.

There are several manifestations of giving glory to God.
1. It looks beyond ourselves
2. It sees beyond our furthest vision
3. It reaches beyond our immediate concern
4. It defines us as human but puts us in touch with the eternal.
5. It is never overt but always subtle. It is never done for show but always a natural expression of faith.

Advent is a time to hear the angels sing and to figure a way to give God glory. It isn't just a religious activity; it's more than that.

What does it mean to you to give God glory? If that isn't the way you would say it (and frankly, it isn't the way I talk) what alternative description might be used. If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles