One point I will make is that many times, we are uncomfortable with the unknown, and with the mystery of God. Thus, we try to form an idea of God that sticks closely to one promise or another, without allowing room for God to grow and change.
Thus, a poem I found by Shel Silverstein helps to describe this uneasiness we feel with answering God's promise, unless it fits in to our own world view and needs. The poem is entitled "Help!"
I walked through the wildwood, and what did I see
but a unicorn with his horn stuck in a tree,
cryin', "Someone please help me before it's too late."
I hollered, "I'll free you." He hollered back, "Wait--
How much will it hurt? How long will it take?
Are you sure that my horn will not scratch, bend, or break?
How hard will you pull? How much must I pay?
Must you do it right now or is Wednesday okay?
Have you done this before? Do you have the right tools?
Have you graduated from horn-savin' school?
Will I owe you a favor? And what will it be?
Do you promise that you will not damage the tree?
Should I close my eyes? Should I sit down or stand?
Do you have insurance? Have you washed your hands?
And after you free me--tell me what then?
Can you guarantee I won't get stuck again?
Tell me when. Tell me how.
Tell me why. Tell me where..."
My guess is that he is still sittin' there.
This poem will then move the sermon to a personal story, in which I found a new way of looking at God's promises.
If you have any comments or questions, please email me at meganryan@fcfumc.net. If you are comfortable sharing your comments online, you can click on the "comment" button below.
If you would like a transcript of the sermon as written by Thursday morning, please email me and I would be happy to send you a copy.
--Megan Ryan
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