Finding the Family in the Family of God
Sister Sledge had it right all this time
By Rev Adam Fox
The honeymoon was amazing, beach, theme parks, relaxing, fun, everything you want. But it ended in the best way possible, we watched Guardians of the Galaxy 2 together.
Guardians 2 is the sequal to the amazingly funny space hero action comedy from Marvel. It follows a rag tag group of misfits led by Peter Quill, the Star Lord. Star Lord is determined to find out who his father was. In only the way Marvel can do it, we find out that this human's father is none other than Ego the Living Planet played by Kurt Russell.
Throughout this reunion of father and son, we learn that this father is not a great person(spoiler!), and Quill's friend and mentor, Yondu, makes him realize that Ego is his Father, but not his dad.
(I'm not crying, you're crying)
As Yondu helps us realize the importance of Family in our life. Both the ones given to us, and the ones we choose. Either way, it is something we need in our life and often over look.
Family has been on my mind for a while now. Getting married in February, and planning the sucker for the past 6 months has been a stress filled joy. But during this time, it makes me see how great and massive my family is. And now, it is even larger, deeper, greater - with a big welcome to the Moormann/Schaack family.
Family is what God has given us. To me that means the blood related folks like your parents and siblings and such. But it can also be the chosen family too. Like my chosen Grandparents - Jim and Ilene Payne and all their family. Or like my bonus brother Bobbo.
If family is both blood and chosen family, couldn't it then be Spiritual family too?
As believers in God, we are apart of a greater group than just the folks we share a pew with on a Sunday Morning.
Paul writes in Romans 12:5 "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." One body, one big and close family!
Or look at what Paul writes in Ephesians "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
The hardest part of being the church, of understanding that we are ALL apart of a closeness, a bond, a group of individuals that are one becuse of the saving action of Jesus on the cross. Where Jesus became my sin, He took on all the sins and evil of the world, of all of us so that we can be forgiven.
So, you have a family and a church family, and hopefully the two groups are one. But what does this extended family get you? How should we handle these new brothers and sisters?
So, you have a family and a church family, and hopefully the two groups are one. But what does this extended family get you? How should we handle these new brothers and sisters?
On our honeymoon, Andrea and I stayed at the Riu Palace in Jamaica. It was as beautiful as expected and relaxing and restful as needed. One of the great features, well great for me, was the dining options. It was all you can eat, and had 6 food options in this hotel alone.
Every morning, Andrea and I would go to the breakfast buffet and find a table, and the waiter would bring out our drinks that we ordered, one coffee, one hot tea, one iced tea, and one diet coke. (guess away who had what). By the end of our trip, i noticed that the waiter remembered us and brought them out without asking.
I was so thankful, and he told me "of course my family". And it hit me, he treats the hotel guests like he would family members. With love and respect.
That is how we need to act, with our family, chosen, blood, or spiritual. And I know, easier said than done. But we need to be a unit, a family of closeness. Sharing in the joy of another believer, grieving in their loss, supporting and encouraging. Pushing and sharpening.
"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." 1 Corinthians 12 Like a family, we support each other and share in the emotions of another - happy or sad.
It hurts me to see my family being so childish or hateful towards each other. And while I have been guilty of that in the past myself, it cannot be. We need to be the Earthly examples of Jesus - of His love, and grace, and especially his kindness. And that means treating each other with the respect we each deserve.
How different could it be coming to church if you had the attitude, "I get to be with my beloved family!" Celebrating and worshiping together. Instead of "I hope blah blah blah isn't here." or " she looked horribly fat in that dress"
We are the arms and feet of Jesus here on Earth. That means how we act and how we live. And life is not always kind. We will need the support of our family, all of our family. Enjoy it.
Just as I am enjoying the Moormanns as well as the Foxs and the Paynes. Who is your family?
Cheers and Excelsior!
Pastor Adam
