“Are We Paying Attention?”
Have you ever missed the turn onto your street? I’m not talking after recently moving to a new city or neighborhood–I mean a true head in the clouds moment where you blew right past the place you’ve been turning into for at least three years. I would like to tell you that this happened to me once….but the truth is….no one in my house is surprised when I miss an obvious turn. I just get distracted. There’s a great song playing and I’m singing along. Or a fox crossed the road and I’m craning my neck to see where it went. Maybe I’m too focused on the pinks and purples bleeding into the horizon as the sun sets. Whatever the case, I don’t always pay enough attention to where I’m going.
Recently, I was re-reading Moses’ call story. This is, hands down, one of my favorite stories in all of Scripture. I love that Moses is not a superhero. I love that he comes up with excuse after excuse to avoid God’s call. I love that Moses is plagued with self-doubt. I love that he boldly tells God he needs some muscle because he can’t carry this call alone. And, of equal importance, I love that Moses was distracted enough to have an encounter with God in the first place.
As Exodus 3 opens, Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law. I don’t know a lot about sheep, but I cannot imagine it to be a highly stimulating job, especially for someone whose resume boasts “working royal”. With no smart phone, book, magazine, or radio, Moses had lots of time and space for his mind to wander. And that’s how he came to notice the burning, yet strangely not burning bush.
In this passage, Moses was aware enough of his surroundings, yet distractible enough from his task at hand, that he noticed something out of the ordinary was taking place. Moses looked up. And when he looked up, he saw something new–something remarkable–and it sparked his interest. When Moses saw the burning, not burning bush, he was curious. And so, (like future shepherds would) he went to see this thing which had come to pass.
Here’s where the story gets really interesting: It wasn’t until Moses actually went to see what was going on that God showed up. Scripture tells us that an angel of the Lord was responsible for the fire. Though God had orchestrated the supernatural event, Moses had to take the first step before God called his name.
Sometimes, God needs to get our attention before he can get to work in our lives. And he waits until we’re invested before he speaks. Moses shows us that when God calls, sometimes it requires us to wake up and move!
Too often, I run around with my head so lost in the fog of my thoughts or an electronic device that I can’t hear God call. I’m not focused on where God and how he’s working and what he might be inviting me to take part in. And so, God gets my attention in some surprisingly odd ways. Like a cow…stuck in a fence.
Years ago, as I was going about my business, driving the two-lane highway past farms and fields that was my daily commute, singing along to whatever pop song was on the radio, I happened to spot movement from the corner of my eye. Turning my head, I saw something new–a cow that was entangled in a barbed wire fence. As my brain was attempting to process this strange sight, my cell phone rang. It was my sister, driving down city streets 200 miles away, passing storefronts instead of fences. When I told her about the bizarre bovine encounter, I expected a chuckle, or at best, a snort. But what I got instead was a question that entirely upended my way of thinking. She asked: “What are you going to do about it?” In that moment, my sister reminded me that we are not to be passive bystanders on the road of life. Rather, we are called to enter in, to act, to make a difference. Because if we don’t, then who will?
And so, I called the sheriff’s department and reported a wayward cow. I have no idea what happened next, if the cow was safely removed from the fence or became someone’s dinner, but I know that God used that cow (and my sister) to teach me a lesson that has factored into many of my ensuing moments. But before God could get to the lesson, I first had to notice…and then I had to move.
What do you need to look up from to see God working in the world? Where is he trying to get your attention? And are you willing to go and see what he’s doing?
Blessings and Peace, Sara
Mission
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Vision
Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ. We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.
Priorities
Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth
Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups
Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond
Worship This Week
This Sunday we conclude our Cringe message series, where we have been taking a look at a few of the more difficult teachings of Jesus. This week we will look at one of the many statements Jesus makes about a subject we wish he didn’t talk about – money. This can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16-24:
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.“
Our Gathering Song will be In The Room, by Matt Maher. Our Opening Song will be Your Grace Is Enough. Our final two songs will be As The Deer & Take My Life, and Let it Be. Our Praise Band will lead us in our first 2 songs at the 10:20 service.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at approximately 10:20 am with our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Join us for our Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner hosted by our Children’s Ministries this Sunday! – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids on Sunday, February 11th, following the 10:20 service. The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. We are asking the families of the Nelson Kids that attend Children’s Church to bring a dessert to share! Thank you so much! This is a free event. Please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family. Also, the youth will be hosting a bake sale! The treats will be homemade! Please come and buy some delicious treats! They will be available following the 8:00 service and during the meal.
Ash Wednesday – Join us on February 14 at 7:00 pm for our Ash Wednesday Service. This will be a simple service of meditation, contemplation, confession, and receiving ashes.
Lenten Study – Have you ever wondered about God’s love for you, or if Jesus really understands what you’re going through? Have you ever worried if you have done enough to earn God’s love and if you truly are forgiven for ALL your sins? If these questions or other doubts have ever gone through your mind, you will not want to miss out on a new small group forming for the season of Lent. Rob and Linda Gordon will be hosting a 5-week group looking at Max Lucado’s bestselling book “He Chose The Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart.” This group will begin Sunday evening, February 18, meeting at 6:30 pm in the Gordon’s home. Please contact Rob or Linda if you’d like to participate or if you have any questions.
Boonville Baby Grace Needs Your Help – They are in need of highchairs, playpens, strollers, bouncy seats, and girls’ winterclothes sizes NB-5. Our supply has recently been depleted and any donations would be greatly appreciated! Call Barbara at 660-888-2059 or the church office at 660-882-6223. Thank you!
New Foundation Sunday School Class Study – He Set His Face to Jerusalem, by Richard Wilke. This study will explore Jesus’ commitment to go to Jerusalem and help us to reflect on how we “set our faces” in life. Starting February 18 during Sunday School in the Foundations classroom. Please join us!
Events this week:
Saturday, Feb 10: United Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Jesus and Justice Small Group, 9:30 am, Lounge
Sunday, Feb 11: Spaghetti Dinner, Following Worship, Fellowship Hall
Monday, February 12: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Leadership Development Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, February 13: PEO, 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 14: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Thursday, February 15: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex
Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, February 16: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes.” – Max Lucado