We can be impressed with the anonymous Egyptian midwives whose job it was to find Hebrew babies and have them killed by order of the Pharaoh. They did their job slowly allowing some of the babies to escape. Moses was one of the babies who escaped because of the Egyptian midwives who carried out an act of civil disobedience.
There are times when we get ourselves caught up in systems that have control over us and there seems to be not very much we can do. This sermon will try to raise the question, "What do we do when there is nothing to be done?"
I'm going to suggest three things:
1. We can search for excellence. We can do what we do with a degree of excellence. If we are forced to living within a system that we cannot escape we can find a way to excellence.
2. We can find a way to innovate. Whatever we have to do we can find a way to do it creatively. We can find a way to do what we have to do in a way that it has never been done.
3. We can discover the means to anticipation. Nothing lasts forever. Sometime things will change. We may see the change or way may not. If we see it coming we can help bring it about. If it doesn't happen in our lifetime we can make the preparations for it to happen for those who follow after us.
Excellence
Innovation
Anticipation
That enables us to take the worst and make it better.
Have you ever been in a situation when you had to do something like that? How did you deal with it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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1 comment:
Greetings, Charles --
I think the three elements you offer here -- excellence, innovation, and anticipation -- are so important. A book could be written on each one of these! Offering excellence and innivation creates a resonant force that will put creative pressure on a limiting stuation. That creative pressure can have an expanding effect or could be met with major resistance. However, I have seen it time and time again, where God's Universe does NOT resist, but rather moves to enhance, surround and reward a spirit of excellence, by either expanding the limits of the situation, because of the creative person, or by bringing a new situation -- a better job, improved health, better relationships, as a result of the decision of a person to bring excellence and innovation, and carry an undeniable sense of anticipation. These creative forces WILL change the inner landscape of the person, without fail, even if the outer circumstance insists on not yielding.
A spirit that expresses excellence, innovation, and anticipation is the result of one having respect for one's Divinely-commisioned self and one's expression in any situation, regardless of the limits of said situation. It is also evidence that one is not settling into subjection to a "victim state", where excuses, judgement and blame proliferate. The radiant person does all they can do to bring their God-given talents and ingenuity to bear, right where they presently are. And, so many times, this radiance attracts others of like minds and hearts who can then help with the heavy lifting, thus lightening and expanding the limiting situation.
We live in times where it can be easy to dwell on lacks, limitations, seeming scarity, and a profound sense of separation from God and others. Focus on personal excellence, innovation and a sense of anticipation is a crucial antidote to these debilitating essences, and they serve as keys to power and success in creative expression.
I am greatly looking forward to your Sunday sermon.
PenDell Pittman
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