This past Sunday I was working in the narthex with our Christian Education liaison to prepare the space for our new “prayground.” I had been told that the windows between the narthex and the sanctuary open, and after some teamwork we got the three in question to slide up into place. With these windows open, our young worshipers using the prayground can still be part of what is happening in the sanctuary.
If you are in our building anytime soon, stand in the narthex for a moment and take in this new perspective! Not just a new perspective on our worship space, but a new perspective on how to welcome young worshipers into all parts of our congregational life.
In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul encourages his listeners to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Transformation is practicing toward a new perspective, toward seeing the world as if through God’s eyes. There might be some instantaneous moments of change on the journey (such as the moment we opened the narthex window), but mostly being transformed to know God’s will is our life-long work.
The thing about new perspectives is that once you have it – even in part – it’s hard to “unhave” it. Once you start to see the diversity of the world as part of God’s creative design (which is exactly where Paul goes next in Romans 12), it’s hard to treat it as anything but sacred. Once you see all of life as sacred, it’s hard to see the death penalty or the deportation of refugees as moral.
Transformation – the process of gaining God’s perspective – is the path we are called to walk as Christians. It is also something we have been gifted the tools for: community, Scripture, prayer, and service. Reading Scripture, praying, and serving together can and will shape our hearts and minds in profound ways.
So, this week, I encourage you to pick up the Scriptures, open your hearts in prayer, and find a way to bring light into your community. You won’t be doing these things alone, for we will be walking side-by-side in the path of transformation.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
