I sit here and start to write these reflections this morning as the sun rises in the east. I have been in Independence, MO for a week, spending time with friends who I have not seen in some time, spending time with new friends as well. I have meet so many wonderful people. I have heard amazing sermons, some of which were shared not within the worship services. I have seen people “Preach the Word” through action and through spoken word. I have felt the moving and blessings of the Spirit bless this assembly of sisters and brothers from around the globe. I have felt greater understanding of my own call.
It has been an amazing week, it has brought great joy to me. As I seek to embody the living Christ and move forward with my brothers and sisters and live out our calling, empowered by this time together, I do so with a great joy and a great hope upon my heart. However, within this joy is a sadness. For today in about five hours, I will be once more upon the road. I will be leaving my sisters and brothers, I will be leaving friends dear to me, friends who’s smiles bring great comfort and happiness to my soul, and not knowing when I shall see them again. I leave this time of gatherdness to go forth and serve, such great joy, and also sorrow, It is our calling, it is our life…. You know it is how it should be. We gather together, rejoice, sorrow, encounter the Word, feel called together AND then go forth to share that living, breathing Word—The message and peace of Christ, the hope and comfort of the Spirit, the love of the Holy…— unto the whole world, often stumbling as we do. It how we should be as local assemblies of believers, as well as the global assembly. Though often we forgot the go forth and preach the word unto the world part, the go forth and serve, to share, to love, to engage. Let us not. Let us be Community of Christ and embody the concerns and passions of Christ and “let the evangelistic ministries of the church accelerate!”
For my brothers and sisters in Community of Christ, and for my Sisters and Brothers in the larger Circle of those who call upon Christ—Will you walk with me, talk with me, jump with me, share with me, and stumble with me as I seek to embrace my call, our call?
For those of other faiths, the same questions I ask, knowing that many of the principles we who call upon Christ find expressed in our encounter with the Message of Jesus son of Mary and Joseph, are often found and expressed in your sacred stories and sense of callings as well.
Can we listen together, hear our great diversity, respect our various understandings, and move forward with a Unity of purpose to bring healing and restoration to all peoples, all lands, all of creation?
Can we be willing to risk the unknown, to risk being uncomfortable and seek that which we long for?
Peace be with you,
— Lyle II