Allen Schmid recently reminded me of a quote I’ve loved before: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

The same is true of disciples of groups of disciples (i.e., a congregation). Every year Lent rolls around to remind us that we are meant for mission, even though it means leaving the safety of the known. Jesus lived for a purpose. In Luke 4:18 he says of himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (NRSV). This mission costs him everything, but I’m so thankful that he didn’t play it safe.

Notice the verbs in Luke 4:18. Jesus’ life was about nouns such as principles, ethics and truth but it was also about actions such as healing, setting free, proclaiming, restoring and resurrecting. I believe that miracles are real and that there is so much more reason for hope than what we see at first sight. I’ve experienced for myself that Jesus still heals bodies and minds. God redeems people from the bonds of shame and guilt. God restores the marginalized to places of honor and equality. God transforms hearts and changes lives. Such acts were a large part of Jesus’ purpose on this earth and part of why he was hated was because he would not let the status quo stand.

All of this is good news! Those situations in your life that appear hopeless, even dead, are a seedbed for the miracles, mercies and graces of God.

Reflecting on his final weeks of life causes me to ask a few questions of myself personally and of our congregation:

Do we really believe in resurrection? For what reason will we leave the safety of what we know? For what do we live and for what would we die? What new life could come if we are brave?

These are tough questions, I know. Believing in Jesus is one thing when we’re talking about commands such as Love Thy Neighbor and Do to Others What You Want Them to Do to You. It’s something else to choose to follow him along the path to Golgotha and all the way to the moment of death in faith that resurrection is not just a pipe dream. Developing that faith for yourself personally takes time and it’s a process only for God to walk you through. Yet it’s also a learning we undertake with one another

I choose to lead our church as if even the crazy stories in the gospels really did happen. I will encourage each of you to leave the safety of the harbor to see what miracles God might like you and all of us to experience. Thank you for allowing me to be with you on this journey.
With Love,

Amelia McCown