Reflections From Sunday Evening

It's been a good day. Shortly after church I shared in a discipleship project with a seminary student. It was a good learning experience. How cool.
Our worship services today were true blessings. I am so thankful for everyone who shares in planning and serving each weekend.
I shared a little poem in the message today. In case you missed it ....
"He's a pretty good duck for the shape he's in;
But he's not the duck he could have been."
A preacher of another generation, Dr. Charles Allen, used that. He did so in the context of the story about the wild duck who landed in the barnyard one day. He quickly got used to it. It was not as exciting as flying but it was much easier. Somebody fed him. He enjoyed the company of other ducks. He liked the tame ducks. You could say he was quickly domesticated.
When the seasons began to change he sensed wild ducks flying overhead. He wanted to join them but when he tried to fly he was no longer able to do so. He was not in shape for flying. He'd forgot what it took.
"He's not a bad duck for the shape he's in; but he's not the duck he could have been."
The application for our Christian life is this: We are called to follow Jesus and he leads us to be part of a vital Christian community. The danger of community comes when we settle in and allow ourselves to become "tame" Christians. When the moment comes to soar we are unable. This is why we seek to build an "outwardly focused" Christian community. It is our best chance to be the church and be the disciples of Jesus Christ we might be.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day. Now I'm turning my attention to some conference board of ordained ministry business. Tomorrow we interview Curtis and Angie Olsen. I'm counting on tomorrow being a good day also!
blessings,
steve