I had the privilege of leading the people of St. Margaret's, Woodbridge, VA in worship this morning. One thing I love about being a supply priest (no permanent position) is the freedom to be with different congregations in different places. It is so wonderful to see what God is up to! Today I preached on a passage from Paul's letter to the Galatians (5:1,13-25) that begins this way: "For freedom Christ has set us free." Here is part of the sermon. I hope it is an invitation into the freedom for which we are created.
We are free to listen not to the world’s voice, but to God’s. And what does God’s voice tell us? God’s voice is freedom ringing - the freedom that manifests itself not in self-indulgence but in the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
When the world tells us to hate, God tells us we are free to choose love.
When the world tells us to be anxious and stressed, God tells us we are free to choose joy.
When the world tells us we have enemies, God tells us we all are one, and we can choose to be at peace.
When the world tells us to get ahead at any cost, God tells us we can choose kindness and walk side-by-side with others.
When the world tells us to buy more, more, more, God tells us we can choose to live more simply, and to share so all have enough.
When the world tells us to move on, God tells us we can choose to be faithful, even when it is hard.
When the world tells us violence is the answer, God tells us we can choose non-violence, like Jesus did.
When the world tells us to do whatever we want, God tells us we can choose self-control so that our freedom does not impinge on the freedom of others.
We are free to choose. We are free to embrace the fullness of life for which God creates us, and free to reject the lies we are told by earthly powers. It may not make us popular, but it will make us whole.
Amen.