This coming Sunday, combined at 9am, is our Covenant Renewal Service at Table View Methodist Church. I distinctly remember my first Methodist Covenant Service. I was a teenager and I was very conscious of being true to my self. I don't think I was able to fully say the words of the covenant with all my heart.
Since that first time I attended a Covenant service - probably about 30 or so years ago (maybe more) the words have meant something different - or something more to me - every year.
I realise that every year - or every day - when I say "I am no longer my own but yours" it means something more to me, or something different. What I am deeply aware of is that I keep on grabbing back what I let go of - failing to trust God to do the 'heavy lifting' in my life.
When I do surrender - when I have the faith to let go of my own control - I know things go better. So I learn again another day.
How do we prepare ourselves for this surrender to God? I'm still a bit stumped when it comes to my sermon for this Sunday. But I think the key is in one of our readings for the Covenant Service:
Mark 14:22-25 - 22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
As Jesus heads toward calvary he exemplifies what he is about to do by serving his disciples. They are capable of breaking their own bread and washing their own feet (if we read John's account of the meal) but Jesus insists on doing the work. He breaks the bread and feeds his disciples, he takes the cup and shares it with them. Helping them to realise that he is the one who gives, he is the one who feeds, he is the one who serves.
Perhaps this prayer from Thomas Merton will be helpful:
|
|
Comments