Wednesday's thoughts

"Diminished Capacity"
This sermon calls for the tackling of the most difficult question we face. Every now and then a preacher will have to take on a subject not knowing if it is possible to come out okay. The subject may be bigger than it is possible to confront.

What is the most difficult problem we face? If we can determine that what is the best way to face it?

In this "Build a Sermon" I will try to present my argument for identifying the most difficult problem. In the Friday "Build a Sermon" I will try to express how I think we can face it.

My first thought is that death is the biggest problem we face. it is so final; so ultimate; so frightening. We all will die. All of us will have to face it. Death looms. It is with us in everything we do and in everything we encounter.
Once upon a time death was a taboo subject and we lived in a "death denying" culture. Currently, we are absorbed in the pain of death. Is death the worst problem we face?

I think suffering is worse than death as a problem to face. Suffering brings us down and makes us wish to be dead. Suffering seems to go on and on and we wonder if it will ever end.
Suffering is worse than death.

But there is something worse than suffering and death. Diminishment is worse than suffering and death. Being unable to do what we once could do continues to remind us what we once could do. living with diminished capacity reminds us of our finitude; our weakness; our incapacity.

Once I could dunk a basketball. Once I could throw a baseball really fast and I could make it curve. Once I could run fast and eat 14 pancakes. Now I am a shadow of what I was and I wonder what I, yet, will become.

How do we face our death?
How do we find meaning in suffering?
How do we discover gain in our losses?

Do you have suggestions? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles