Ramblings on a Journey The Reverend Kathy Peters September 5, 2014 Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. (Psalm 119:33-34) I started training yesterday to perhaps become a facilitator for a CT Conference program called Sacred Conversations on Race. I am sure at some point I will hear: we don’t have any problems with race here, why are you doing this? When members of the United Church of Christ leadership team, the Collegium, where asked the same question they responded: “Despite the meaningful progress achieved within the UCC and the nation as a whole, recent events have made clear that the prophetic mantle of confronting racism cannot be abandoned by our churches. Race is still being used as a powerful weapon of fear to divide us from one another and to keep us from recognizing the issues we have in common” The events of this summer have weighed heavy on my mind and spirit and I have been looking for a way that I might constructively respond…this is it. It was hard stuff yesterday. I am still processing it and am not even ready to reflect on it very deeply. BUT it is clear to me that taking seriously the psalmist call: “Teach me, O God the way of your statutes…” can never be taken lightly. We know deep in our being how God calls us to treat on another and yet we can’t …it is hard! Part of the difficulty when I look at racism or any other issue that demands me to say: “what does God want me to do?” …. “What would Jesus do? is not just a bracelet to be worn as a fashion statement…is the painful task of looking at my past behavior, my lack of sensitivity, my, by my silence, agreeing with some terrible statements that folks can make. I am a person who has benefited from white privilege. I cannot get so stuck in that guilt however that I fail to move forward and keep trying my best…the psalmist knew it was a process….teach me…give me understanding…lead me…turn my heart and eyes. No transformation happens over night but developing ears that can hear, eyes that can see, hearts that can feel is the first step to being moved to some sort of transformation. It is hard work! I observed in my sermon on Sunday (8/31/14) . “Even now at the ripe old age of 62, God is still cajoling me to try new things…yes even some out of my comfort zone. I love Anne Lamont’s quote “Im here to be me, which is taking a great deal longer than I had hoped. (Anne Lamont in Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith) Just when you think that life is going as it should…God starts speaking again! Just when you think you are all grown up and have nothing more to learn or do…God starts speaking again! Just when you think that you have yourself all figured out….God starts speaking again and you know that life still has so much more in store and that God has more for you to do!” Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes,…no matter how hard, no matter how much I resist… and I will observe it to the end. Amen “And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ (Isaiah 30:21) A word of caution about this reflection: as always (!) it is only “ramblings” about my journey of faith, not a “to do” list for your journey! It is my hope that I might spark a thought or a reflection or an insight that will be helpful to you on your own journey of faith. Feel free to pass it on if you think it might be helpful to anyone else! If you would like to respond directly please do so at [email protected]. Psalm 119:33-40 Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:33:43 +0000
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