Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Remnant

Remnant...it is not much...just enough that allows something beautiful to happen. Residue...it is not much...just enough to change the appearance, giving it something more. Finally, reminder... it's not much...just enough to make you remember.

One of my favorite stories from the Bible has always been the one about the Prophet Elijah, who goes out into the desert fleeing for his life. He goes out there, sits under a "solitary broom tree," ready to die. Then God sends him to Horeb, the mount of God, and he spends his time in a cave still bemoaning his situation. Finally, when God asks him what he is doing there, he answers, "I alone am left, and they are seeking my life to take it away. Apparently, Poor God is down to only Elijah as a faithful believer. Sad God, it really looks like everything is turning against him. Just like in that movie, "Elf." His belief meter is about to peg out on the side of empty. And what is worse...Unlike Santa Claus in Elf, God has no jet engines to propel Him forward.

In this cave is a man who thinks he is the final remnant of faith. He is the only one left who would stand up for God.

And God tells him to go stand in front of the cave. And then there is an earthquake, a strong wind, and a fire, and in each of these things, Elijah sees there that the Lord is not in any of these things. So then, he wrapped his face in his mantle in the silence that followed. Then the question comes again... "Why are you here?"

Elijah thought that God is hard of hearing again answers...that he only is there for God. Therefore, he is the only one left.

I love what happens next. God gives Elijah a laundry list of things to do...basically telling him to get his stuff in order because Elijah doesn't get it. Then at the end of the "to-do list,"...God tells Elijah why.

18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” Harper Bibles (2011-11-22). NRSV Bible with the Apocrypha (Kindle Locations 14774-14775). Harper Collins, Inc. Kindle Edition.

In other words...Elijah...Don...any individual who thinks they are the last faithful remnant of God, members of the PCUSA church...any church out there..." God is in charge." End of story. God rules...now get your sorry tail out there and do the work.

The church will always be a remnant. A small group of people...but it will never come down to one person on their own. There will be others...small in the number who will do what God wants us to do. So if the policy of a church changes... a big deal... God's word hasn't changed. So just keep doing what God told you to do.

Yes, I was one of those who thought I would have to leave the church because I disagree with the removal of the right policy...but...then again. God is in charge. Maybe, I should start listening to God and looking for what God is doing in the midst of all this.