Today’s Readings: Psalm 1; Joshua 1:1-9; John 4:16-26; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; Psalm 84
There are lots of things that have the potential to shape our attitudes. One of the most influential of these is television. I say that because television has a way of establishing norms for our lives that few other mediums have. Let me give you an example of what I mean. For years, television sent very clear messages about how a normal American family should look and act. Shows like “Leave It to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best” set standards to which many Americans aspired (i.e. always be pleasant and look nice, never raise your voice, always resolve your problems within 30 minutes). There was just one problem? Those television shows were idyllic portrayals that no one could ever live up to! Thankfully, a television show came along on January 12, 1971, that did something no other television show had done before: it provided an honest portrayal of how many American families really looked and acted. That show – All in the Family – helped Americans realize that you don’t have to be perfect in order to be loved - you only have to be yourself. In many ways this is the same message raised in this morning’s Gospel passage. In that passage we hear Jesus tell the woman at the well: “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth… Those who worship [God] must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration” (John 4:23-24 from The Message). Sadly, many Christians have adopted a “Leave It to Beaver” approach toward living out their faith. They step into what I call their June Cleaver mode (June was the mother on "Leave It to Beaver") and spend much of their time projecting an image to the world that suggests they have their act together. The truth, however, is that there is something to be said for an Archie Bunker approach toward our spiritual lives. For while it may not always be easy to be in the presence of a work-in-progress like an Archie, at least the Archies of the world have something that the June Cleavers will never have: the experience of being loved for who they truly are. And it is through that experience that you can let loose and begin to worship God with your whole being. That, my friend, is what I wish for you this day. Til next time…
There are lots of things that have the potential to shape our attitudes. One of the most influential of these is television. I say that because television has a way of establishing norms for our lives that few other mediums have. Let me give you an example of what I mean. For years, television sent very clear messages about how a normal American family should look and act. Shows like “Leave It to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best” set standards to which many Americans aspired (i.e. always be pleasant and look nice, never raise your voice, always resolve your problems within 30 minutes). There was just one problem? Those television shows were idyllic portrayals that no one could ever live up to! Thankfully, a television show came along on January 12, 1971, that did something no other television show had done before: it provided an honest portrayal of how many American families really looked and acted. That show – All in the Family – helped Americans realize that you don’t have to be perfect in order to be loved - you only have to be yourself. In many ways this is the same message raised in this morning’s Gospel passage. In that passage we hear Jesus tell the woman at the well: “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth… Those who worship [God] must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration” (John 4:23-24 from The Message). Sadly, many Christians have adopted a “Leave It to Beaver” approach toward living out their faith. They step into what I call their June Cleaver mode (June was the mother on "Leave It to Beaver") and spend much of their time projecting an image to the world that suggests they have their act together. The truth, however, is that there is something to be said for an Archie Bunker approach toward our spiritual lives. For while it may not always be easy to be in the presence of a work-in-progress like an Archie, at least the Archies of the world have something that the June Cleavers will never have: the experience of being loved for who they truly are. And it is through that experience that you can let loose and begin to worship God with your whole being. That, my friend, is what I wish for you this day. Til next time…
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