Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife: God as Cheerleader

I’ve always thought of myself as something of a cheerleader. Not the pom-pom waving, pyramid building, performance artists kind you’d find on the sidelines at football games–that would require going to a football game and jumping around– two things I’m not known for. My cheerleading is more in the form of casual encouragement. You know…a short uplifting text or note of support. An open smile and genuine compliment in conversation. My goal is to try and believe in people, to see their potential and encourage them to go for it. But while I like cheering others on, I never really thought about God doing that with us. Sometimes I think I picture God as the Queen of England. Not a well-coiffed nonagenarian who’s prone to wearing bright hats, sensible shoes, and carrying a matching handbag, but as a very reserved and rigid being who is uninterested in overt displays of emotion, especially the kind of overenthusiastic outbursts one might witness at a sporting event.

But then I read the following passage from Romans 12:

Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!  Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Romans 12:11-12

Paul’s exuberance in serving God, and his commendation that all God’s followers adopt a like attitude made me wonder. What if God is a cheerleader? As God’s people, Scripture tells us that we can embody some of his characteristics. (Gen. 1:26) We can cultivate good fruit (Matt. 7:17), like the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22) And if we are to serve God with great gusto and cheer, perhaps those qualities come to us from God himself. Look at how The Message puts it:

I love the dichotomy here between being burned out and keeping ourselves fueled and aflame. Sometimes, in our quest to keep busy, we douse the flames of our faith. We get so run down, even in service to God, that our flame goes out. But Paul tells the early church members to be alert–to be on guard for burnout and to do those things that add fuel to our spiritual fire. And with this we are to remain cheerfully expectant. It’s interesting that the word which comes before expectant is cheerfully. What does that even look like?

Ten years ago, we went on our first extended family trip to Disney World. Our boys were about 2 and 4 years old, and while they understood in theory that they were going to be doing something really cool, they didn’t quite get it. To help them understand how special this trip was, we put up a Countdown to Disney calendar in their bedroom. Each night, before they went to bed, we pulled off one more page from the calendar. Even if the boys couldn’t understand exactly what the “happiest place on Earth” was, they were pumped that they were going in only 10 more sleeps! By the time we finally got to “1 more sleep “, they were downright giddy. When I think about their enthusiasm over a trip to central Florida, it helps me to understand the phrase cheerfully expectant more fully.

Paul is essentially telling us that to be cheerfully expectant is to be downright giddy about what God is going to do in our lives. More than that, I think God acts as a cheerleader pumping us up for it. When I read this passage not too long ago, it was as if I heard God clapping and calling, “You go, girl! You’ve got this!! Come on! You can do it!!!”

Hearing that voice, that enthusiasm, that cheer–it empowered me. It helped me to be cheerfully expectant about the work God had done, is doing, and will do in my life. And it made me want to share this encouragement with others, which I promptly did through the power of texting.

The gospel of Matthew tells a story about the healing of a blind man. When Jesus saw the man, he told his disciples to call the man forward. The disciples respond by saying this to the man:

I love this! Talk about cheerful expectation!! The disciples called to the blind man–they didn’t whisper, they didn’t lean down and murmur, they called (i.e. spoke loudly) to him. The disciples were excited! They knew something amazing was about to happen. It was kind of like an awards show, in that a name was called for a big prize and lots of people cheered. But this awards show was much better produced than any awards show we might watch. Jesus called the man’s name and the disciples acted as God’s cheerleaders, leading the man to the one who could give both healing and restoration. Doesn’t it make you want to clap, too?

This is the cheerful expectation that we are supposed to live into, as well. Like the disciples, we are to go into the world seeking out those whom Jesus is calling. We’re supposed to be cheerleaders, encouraging them and assuring them that Jesus is calling. But we are not doing this alone. God is there, right in the middle of the action with us, cheering us onward as we seek to share his message of love and hope and grace with others. So wherever you go this week, whatever life puts in your path, however God is asking you to serve him, listen. Can you hear God cheering you on? He’s calling to you, encouraging…”You go, my Beloved one! You’ve got this!!”

Blessings and Peace, Sara

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we continue our message series “Discernment: What is it and how do we do it.”  This week’s message is titled “Hearing God’s Voice.”  Our scripture reading will be from 1 Kings, chapter 19, verses 7 through 13.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched Elijah and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”  So he got up and ate and drank.  Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  There he went into a cave and spent the night. 

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.  I am the lonely one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.“

We will begin our service with the song My Lighthouse by Rend Collective.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Open My Eyes, That I May See, and Be Thou My Vision.  This week, our video hymn will be the song Evidence, by Josh Baldwin.

COVID Updates

As many of you may have heard, COVID infection and hospitalization rates are on the rise again.  The state of Missouri currently has a 13.1% 7-day positivity rate, with Cooper County being at 22.6%.  With this new rise in infections, I want to remind you of the COVID precautions as set by our Church Administrative Board. 

In May the decision was made, in accordance with new CDC guidelines, that masks are no longer required in the church for those who are fully vaccinated.  Social distancing will still be encouraged and practiced, as will enhanced cleaning procedures. 

We know there are some who are still not feel comfortable or able to attend worship at this time. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

From Our County Health Department

We now have Covid vaccine available. We STRONGLY encourage all eligible individuals ages 12 and up who are NOT VACCINATED to come to the health center for vaccination as soon as possible. The Covid-19 vaccine shows that two doses are 88% effective against symptoms and 96% effective against hospitalization of the Delta variations, along with one dose at 33%. Our current county-wide 32% vaccination rate can be much improved by the end of August if we start now. The Cooper County Public Health Center has vaccination clinics by appointment on Tuesdays and walk-in (no appointment necessary) on Thursdays until 7pm.

Thank you, Melanie Hutton Administrator

Announcements

Mark Your Calendars – Our congregation has been chosen by our District leadership to participate in a new visioning process with a national church leadership consultant.  This process will help us as we continue to seek new ways to minister to our community and fulfill our mission of “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  Kay Kotan, the national leadership consultant, will be with us Sunday afternoon, August 8 to lead us in a process of discovery and discernment.  The more participation we have and the more representatives from our congregation we have, the better the product will be.  Please mark your calendars now and plan on joining us Sunday, August 8 beginning at 1:00 pm for this important time.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory – As part of our visioning process, we are taking inventory of the most valuable assets our church has – you!  Everyone is invited to fill the Spiritual Gifts Assessment (linked here).  Paper copies will be available in the Sanctuary this Sunday.  Thank you for your help and your participation. 

Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up Monday, August 16 from 2-6 pm. 

As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed.  If you would like to sign up to donate on Aug 16, you may do so here.

Food and Fun – The Methodist Men will once again host a church wide picnic.  This year we will gather at Harley Park for some food, fellowship and a friendly game of softball on Sunday, August 15.  Stay tuned for more details. 

Events this week:

Monday, July 19: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, July 20: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge and Zoom

Wednesday, July 21: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, July 23: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Sunday, July 25: Youth Swim Party, 5:00 pm, Boonville Aquatic Center

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Like the disciples, we are to go into the world seeking out those whom Jesus is calling. We’re supposed to be cheerleaders, encouraging them and assuring them that Jesus is calling.” ― Sara Snyder