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Ascension Day/Graduation Recognition - May 16, 2010 "Immeasurable Greatness" - Sherry Lohman Ephesians 1:15-23 Taylor, Mary Beth--is this heaven? Are you too young to know what movie that line comes from? It's from "Field of Dreams, which I believe was made previous to your birth---but maybe you've seen it? I was reminded of it last week, when I heard on the radio that the property in Dyersville, Iowa, where the movie was made, is up for sale-- with a price tag of over 5 million dollars. I'm no fan of baseball, but the movie is a classic with a message about following your dreams. We do that in the church, in our mission and vision; an effort to follow God's good intentions. If you're not familiar with "Field of Dreams," it's a story about a young man from Iowa (Ray Kinsella), who, like you, is searching for his dreams; for meaning and purpose in his life. The wonderful or maybe frightening thing about Ray, is, that he hears voices encouraging him in a specific direction....and he listens to that voice, even in spite of the heckling his neighbors give him. He plows up his corn field, turning it into a baseball field, all because of this voice that he hears persuading him.// Nothing happens. Can you imagine. You think you have a great idea, you are passionate about it. You take all the proper steps; do what you're supposed to do...and then wait. But nothing happens./ It's hard to be in limbo, not knowing what's coming next. We begin to doubt ourselves; wonder if we've missed something or done something wrong. In the movie, Ray waits a full year, risks bankruptcy, and continues to follow his dreams. Some folks begin to think he's crazy. But he continues to listen to that voice./ Another character in the movie, Terence Mann, encourages him to listen to that call. He says, "Ray, people will come. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come." It does sound like heaven, doesn't it-although we'll all be surprised if we're charged admission. But it's true-there is something deep within us that longs to return to places like home, where we find rest and take comfort; a place where we remember all that once was good and dream about how that might come alive, again, for us. In the church, we call that, "resurrection," and in fact, today, is actually what we have named, "Ascension Sunday," when we contemplate Jesus rising from the dead and ascending to live with God. It is our belief, that after life as we know it, here, we will live eternally, with God. Meanwhile, we have our whole lives upon which we experience resurrection; renewal. In a manner of speaking, today is a day of ascension for you, Mary Beth and Taylor, as we congratulate your accomplishments and you ascend into the adult world. You, along with the rest of us, will continue the journey, searching for purpose and the good, as described in the movie, and in our scripture...so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which God has called you, what are the riches of God's glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power. It's unlikely that you already know the fullness of that hope, but by this point, you have a foundation of faith beneath you.// In the next few years, you will be trying on a number of different hats, discovering your niche in the world. You may find new passions, while the old are laid to rest./ Sometimes it takes a lifetime before we recognize even a small portion of that hope. The world competes and confuses us with choices; it sometimes holds a different standard of measurement of how we are viewed by others. We may be judged by our money (having too much or too little), our intelligence (again, having too much or too little), the kind of house we live in or car we drive; the people we know; the clothes we wear. These are all worldly measures. In our scripture, today, the Apostle Paul speaks of riches, inheritance and immeasurable greatness. It is a different type of measure, addressing all people; both those who have too much, those who have too little, and everyone in-between. Because regardless of your successes and failures in your future (which you will surely experience), God's love remains constant. That is the gift; the inheritance and immeasurable greatness that Paul refers to, not bought or purchased by worldly standards. You, Mary Beth and Taylor, are already worthy, in God's eyes. The good and amazing thing about this, is that God can/will use you in any vocation and in all of your experiences. Nothing is wasted in the eyes of God. We, your church family, encourage you to listen to God's voice for direction. God's spirit will guide and direct you, maybe even into some things that may appear ridiculous or crazy. Like Ray Kinsella, you may find yourself waiting and doubting. In any case, be assured that God loves you immeasurably and will bless you with an abundant portion of love . God's spirit will continue to guide you, call you by name...and encourage you to become all that God intended you to be, loving God, God, loving your neighbors, and loving yourself; doing no harm, doing all the good you can, and following upon God's ordinances---you get to choose how to go about that. It's a tall order....which will require strength, intentional commitment, courage, compassion and discipline. This, you cannot accomplish on your own. Call on God's help. Ask God to empower you for God's good purpose. This is our hope, and it is our hope, for you. So be encouraged, Taylor and Mary Beth. For you, and for our God, we give thanks. Amen. |