More God – Less Fear

Psalm 23 & Acts 2: 42-47

Roger Lynn

October 23, 2016

(click here for the audio for this sermon)

Seeking a life filled with Sacred Presence! I believe that in one way or another, whether we recognize it or not, by whatever name or description we choose to use, we are all searching for such a life. When we are in touch with the reality of Sacred Presence in our world and in our lives there is a sense of wholeness, because we are living in the fullness of what is most real. When we are not in touch with this reality there is a sense of longing, or emptiness, because our present awareness is out of sync with the deeper, fuller, richer truth which resonates with the core of who we are. And so we come to church – we pray – we read spiritual reflections – we meditate – we engage in a variety of spiritual practices – we go on sacred pilgrimages. Or we don’t. And I am convinced that the shape of our experience in this life reflects the path we choose. Please do not hear me saying that bad things will happen if you don’t pray, or that life will be nothing but sweetness and light if you go to church. I’m not talking about what happens to us in this life. I’m talking about how we experience what happens to us, and what we do with that experience.

The psalmist writes, “The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Such a statement reflects a basic orientation towards life. A few sentences later we read, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me!” (Psalm 23:4) There will be dark valleys. If you spend any time at all in this life you will find yourself in a dark valley at one time or another. Being aware of Sacred Presence doesn’t change that. But it does change how we experience such times. “I fear no evil.” Imagine for a moment how much would change in this world if we could let go of our fear. So many of the truly heartbreaking things going on around us have their roots firmly planted in fear. And it doesn’t have to be that way. The more we can learn to recognize that we are dwelling in the the very heart of Sacred Presence, the more we will discover an experience of life which is shaped by comfort, and compassion, and abundance. 

And the more we allow our own lives to be shaped by such an orientation, the more we will find ourselves drawn to a way of life in which we want to share such qualities with the rest of humanity, and indeed, with the rest of creation. The people in the early days of the Church found themselves living a life filled with God. Their experience of the presence of the sacred was so powerful and so all-encompassing that even common, ordinary events like a meal became occasions for an awareness of of such presence. “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts . . .” (Acts 2:46) And such a life cannot be contained. It simply is not possible to live such a life only for one’s self. “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:44-45) When life is seen and experienced through the filter of Sacred Presence, the results are expansive and inclusive and compassionate.

So what might such a life look like for us today? What does it mean for us to live a life filled with Sacred Presence? How do we reach out beyond ourselves and embrace those with whom we share life on this planet? What changes when we let go of fear and live into love, empowered by the very Spirit of God? In some ways each of us must find our own path. Your gifts are not my gifts. What I am called to do may not be what you are called to do. We can each begin by looking at the needs around us and thinking boldly and creatively about ways in which our gifts and our passions might be brought to bear in such a manner as to make an impact. It must also be said, however, that we can no longer afford to think and act in isolation. We are connected to each other and our living must reflect the reality of that connection in order to most fully and richly impact and transform the world. My gifts are different from your gifts, and when we join those gifts together they become a force for change that is far greater than the sum of the parts.

This congregation is currently engaged in a Visioning Process. Over the last several weeks there were small group sessions engaged in just this sort of dreaming. Next Saturday we will gather together for an All-Church Retreat, and we will again take up these sorts of questions and prayerfully and creatively seek God’s guidance and direction. I fully anticipate that the results will be exciting and empowering and ongoing. As we continue to seek the leading of God’s Spirit in these matters, people will be touched by God’s love and helped to live richer, more abundant lives filled with God. We will continue to learn to reach out beyond ourselves and make a difference in our world. 

We are, of course, already living out this reality. It finds expression in the offerings we give. Through our financial support of this congregation we touch the lives of those who are experiencing crisis situations in their lives. Through our contributions to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering we reach out to make a difference in places where disasters have struck. Our building is used by a variety of community organizations. On a regular basis I have members of AA express their deep appreciation for the gift of our building. We offer a variety of opportunities for worship and spiritual growth. When we take our Open and Affirming commitment seriously by offering genuine and authentic hospitality and acceptance we help to transform lives in ways we will never fully know. In all these ways and more we share the gift of Love which we experience.

When we open ourselves to the reality of the Sacred in our lives and in our world we open ourselves to love and compassion, peace and justice, harmony and unity, abundance and equality. And when we open ourselves to such qualities we will be changed. When we open ourselves to such qualities the world will be changed. “Fear not,” the angels say! How will the practice of living with God shape your life and transform the world?