Monday, December 7, 2020

Sharing Our Gifts to Get Through This Crisis; Joel 2:12-13, 21-29

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 6, 2020

Joel 2:12-13 and 21-29

 

Now that the election is over, it seems as though newspaper has more space for inspiring stories.

 

One recent story was about the artist Guy Stanley Philoche who’s been inspired to make a difference by purchasing the work of other artists.

 

He has reached out to the global art community through Instagram giving ALL artists from around the world an opportunity to sell their creations and eke out a living during this pandemic.

 

His criteria is simple: Do I like it?  Does it cost between $300-500?

 

Bravo to Guy Stanley.  He’s just a guy living during an international crisis who found his own Spirit-inspired way to make a difference in his community.

 

As he stated- “I’m not on the first line, but my community was impacted as well.  It was just the right thing to do.”

 

 

Joel would approve.

 

Joel was also a regular guy, living during a crisis who wanted to make a difference in his world.

 

Instead of a virus, it was a swarm of locusts that hit the nation.

 

Like Guy, Joel knew the devastation of his people and used his creativity to empower and assist the community.

 

Instead of using his purchasing power, Joel used his gift of prophecy and the words that came from the Holy Spirit.

 

While his people feel the economic, emotional affects of the plague, Joel finds a way to point them to the future.

 

Like Moses who calls us to choose life, like Jonah and Jeremiah who calls us to repent, Joel invites the people to return to God with all their mistakes and all their broken-heartedness.

 

Like Moses, Jeremiah and Daniel, Joel calls upon the mercy and motherly love of God to be gracious and loving.

 

Like Jonah and Jeremiah, Joel offers a holistic view of sin and salvation-

 

That the womb-love of God and the cleansed hearts of the people can heal the land, bring peace to the animals and gladness to children.

 

Joel’s message is so simple, so inspiring.  In this time of hardship, turn to God and watch how God will

-restore and replenish

-pour out and satisfy.

 

Not just you, but the earth, the creatures great and small, your children and your children’s children.

 

Not just to those you like, or those just like you, but to ALL.

 

All daughters.  All sons.

All ages.

All workers.

All creatures.

 

All.

 

What is the God of mercy ready to give to everyone?  The gifts of the Spirit.

 

In the example of Guy Stanley, or Ari, Carnide, and Ruthie- these gifts can be artistic and expressive.

 

In the case of individuals like Deborah, David, and Gideon, these can be gifts of the warrior who protects and serves.

 

In the case of the woman in Proverbs or people like Miss Roxie and Millie, the gifts of the Spirit can be wisdom.

 

In the case of people like Jonah and Jeremiah, the gifts can be prophecy.

 

In the case of those like Micah, Steve, and The Shepherd’s Pantry the gifts can be justice, kindness, and humility.

 

In the case of those like Ezekiel the gifts can be breathing new life into dry bones, allowing that which seemed dead to live once again.

 

The gifts of the Spirit are many, they are gifts that God gives to all.

 

No wonder his scripture became the basis for the 1st Christian Sermon ever preached on Pentecost Sunday.

 

Beloved- like those in Joel’s time we are facing a historic moment that has affected every aspect of life.

 

Like Joel’s community we will get through this.

 

One answer rests in coming together as one, turning to God, trusting in God’s mercy, and embracing the gifts that the Lord is ready to pour out upon us.

 

Like Guy Stanley, we don’t have to do it all; we don’t have to save the world. 

 

Be true to who we are, what matters most to us, and what we can achieve.

 

During this time, we give thanks for our artists, our warriors, our teachers, our prophets, our peacemakers, justice seekers and dry-bone breathers.

 

Because together, with God, we will make it through this international crisis.

 

Together we will use our gifts as ONE.

 

In Christ Jesus, Amen.

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