Wednesday's thoughts

"Working for the Laud"
My grandmother used to say, "Self praise is half scandal" and I think that's true. If we need to blow our own horn to trumpet our own accomplishments then no one will hear us. All they will hear is our need for self-congratulations.

But what do we do about the need for recognition? How do we work around that very basic and human need?
One suggestion is to have an agent. We could find someone who would stand in front of us and other people and be assigned to tell people what we have done. What we may need is a campaign manager; an agent; a press secretary; an advocate.

Sometimes this person is a parent or a spouse or a friend or a family member. We need agents and advocates and we have them.

There are people who are doing that for us and it's important to note that and to appreciate what they do for us or what they have done for us in the past.

Who are your advocates?
Who are the people who can be counted on to be our agents to speak out for us when something needs to be said?

Sunday, in worship we are going to take some time to think about our agents. Sometimes the things they tell us about ourselves are things we would rather not hear. Sometimes they are the ones who lift our spirits when we are down and out. Sometimes they are the ones who speak up for us and we don't even know they are doing it.
In John's Gospel just before Jesus' death on the cross he said to his friend that he would provide an advocate for them. We find these words, "I will not leave you desolate" and "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

If we are working for the laud we are remembering we don't need to congratulate ourselves. There are people doing that for us and we can let go of the need to do it.

Who is your agent? Your advocate?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster