The Story Continues

by Peggy Pedersen

When we look at the Bible we see a story. It has heroes and sinners. It has births and battles. It depicts moments of triumph and despair. A man, Abram, is called out of Ur and becomes a family; and that family, after deliverance from centuries of slavery, becomes a nation; and that nation goes through three great exiles and three great restorations. Then in “Part II” of the story, that nation receives a new and living hope: their awaited Messiah, unknown and unhailed, a Prince walking among his people as one of them—God, hidden, with us. And while we await the final climax, resolution and revelation, the story continues.

In the history of the church, we also have had heroes and sinners, births and battles, moments of triumph and despair. From a small cadre of disciples, the church has grown to a multinational family. We can follow the same pattern in microcosm in our Lutheran church and in our own Synod.

What we may miss in the grand scheme of things is the role each individual plays in that story. No one is insignificant. No one can “sit this one out,” for what he does or does not do writes lines in the story that affect all characters, all events. We are one people, one body in Christ, and therefore intricately intertwined. The choice to be casual in one’s relationship with the Divine and remain on the periphery (or absent) from the church, to sin or repent, to be faithful or fall away, affects all, just as the choice to put one’s neck on the line (figuratively or literally, publicly or in obscurity) can make the story sing and be the link upon which it turns. No one is anonymous to God.

No one is insignificant. No one can “sit this one out,” for what he does or does not do writes lines in the story that affect all characters, all events. We are one people, one body in Christ, and therefore intricately intertwined.

There is an old nursery rhyme which carries a poignant and timely message for us all:

“For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.”

Each of us is a nail, a living stone in the house of God. As every member of a relay race is crucial to the finish of the race, so every member of the body of Christ is a critical member of God’s story. Each of us has been given a treasure to pass on in speaking, writing, and action. God has instituted days of remembrance and sacraments to help us to preserve this treasure, but He has also called us to be guardians and messengers of it. Do not think others can replace you: what He has given you to carry forward is unique.

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we are instructed: “Let these matters, which I command you today, be upon your heart. Teach them thoroughly to your children and speak of them while you sit in your home, while you walk on the way, when you retire, and when you arise.” It is in speaking with our children, our family, and our friends in our own sphere of life that the light of faith is spread and maintained from generation to generation. But we convey the message not only in our words; we proclaim them in our actions as well. Mentors are needed for the young people in our churches. You and I are both called to testify to the next generation of the works of God your eyes have seen—to repeat the Good News of salvation through faith in Christ. Like Abraham, we can invite others to our table to share God’s love and tell of His goodness.

It is in speaking with our children, our family, and our friends in our own sphere of life that the light of faith is spread and maintained from generation to generation. But we convey the message not only in our words; we proclaim them in our actions as well.

Of course, the only way we can pass on our faith is by knowing it well. We can all understand the need for increased opportunities and involvement in lay theological education. The Bible is a treasure—God’s gift to us. That knowledge should motivate each of us, to the extent of our ability, to take on the yoke of the Word of God. This means not just reading a few verses a day, once-a-week Bible study, or hearing it on Sunday, but making the Word one’s own by immersing yourself in it—setting a time each day to do so, and meditating on it as you go through your day. In that way, God equips you to share the Gospel with family and friends.

The Bible is a treasure—God’s gift to us. That knowledge should motivate each of us, to the extent of our ability, to take on the yoke of the Word of God.

Just as Israel grew from one family to a nation, so the Lutheran church has, in times past, grown through the family. But today, as families become smaller and geographically dispersed, and as the general culture no longer considers churchgoing a societal value, churches have shrunk and closed. To counteract this, many churches have focused on trying to be “with it.” The danger is we sacrifice too much—and a church emptied of substance is of no real use. It is a mere Potemkin house.

The sacraments are the lifeblood of the church. As long as they are faithfully kept, they will keep us. But jettisoning the form that has long supported these treasures is like expecting a house to stand without its structural members. The Liturgy supports the sacraments. You can’t renovate by tearing out a foundation stone or a bearing wall without causing severe weakness. The sacraments and the liturgy are good gifts that support us and give us the strength we need to take our place in the story God is telling.

As we do so, we must be wary of breeding division in the church. One thing that discredits the Name of the Lord is our mistreatment of one another. Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

It is crucial therefore to be united. Jesus Himself warns, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). In a world where “Christ” has become a curse word, those who utter it with love should be respected; for the first tactic of conquest is to divide. In our theological differences with other Christians, we must remember our Lord’s words: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:22). Let us proclaim the truth and know that He will root out error by His Spirit.

Finally, let’s draw strength from our Lord in prayer—private and corporate—turning to Him in all our needs, bringing to Him all our thanksgivings. He alone can keep us from falling, strengthen us in faith, and bring fruitfulness. If we rely on our own weak and fallible flesh we lead ourselves to prideful destruction. By contrast, His gift of the Holy Spirit is our safety and our surety.

Let’s draw strength from our Lord in prayer—private and corporate—turning to Him in all our needs, bringing to Him all our thanksgivings. He alone can keep us from falling, strengthen us in faith, and bring fruitfulness.

In a way, we know not only that the Story will continue, but how it will end. Yet, the role of each of us in that Story is yet to be written. We have our Lord’s assurance that His church will not only endure, it will be tested; and as we persevere and conquer in His Name, we shall join in His glory. He is the Author; we the actors. And through His strength, we can take our place with confidence. In the roll call of “closing credits”, let our names be known as those who were faithful and passed the torch.

The Story continues…

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Peggy Pedersen is a writer living in Victoria, B.C., where she is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

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