SCRIPTURES:
1 Samuel 17:40-50
Isaiah6
Mark 2:1-12
If you have seen the film "Swing Vote" or read my letter in this month's MRC Newsletter, you know that this film tells the fictional story of how one person's vote will decide who will be America's next President. Yes, it is fictional and does any one really believe that one vote could be that important? Well, as I said in my letter, here in Massapequa, and in other locations on rare occasions, one vote has swung an election! Well, what has that got to do with our faith journey? And what is "Swing Vote Theology"? Those are two good questions and to answer them, I am going to do a brief, certainly not all inclusive, survey of our Biblical Record and highlight the difference one can make when they believe in God and in themselves!
Where do you think my summary will start? (Allow Responses) Well, I surely could have started in Genesis, but my first stop is 1st Samuel 17: verses 40 - 50 where we read: David picked up five stones and with his sling in hand stepped out onto the battlefield to face Goliath the Giant. Every one else was filled with fear but David had faith in God and in himself, so he calmly walked towards Goliath who was the greatest and most feared Philistine and slung his sling and watched Goliath fall to the ground in defeat!
Yes, any one who was watching that battle unfold would have thought that David couldn't swing the tide in his direction but he believed, he offered his best effort, he slung and he conquered! And his faith inspired a nation and led to him becoming a King! The Faith and Power of one Person Can Make all of the Difference!
But not every person can be a King. How can a humble servant of the Lord make a difference? That might be our question but it was also the question of the person who is next in our Biblical Survey. For do you think the Prophet Isaiah thought he was a person who could make a difference? It doesn't sound so when we read about the day when he was called to be a Prophet in the 6th Chapter of the Book of Isaiah. For after he has this great vision of the Lord's presence with him, he responds by saying: "Woe is me. There is no hope for me for I am a sinner and every word that leaves my lips is sinful." Yes, Isaiah, like the hero in the film "Swing Vote" was very aware of his limitations! He didn't feel that he deserved the honor of being a Prophet but God believed in him more then he believed in himself.
And so Isaiah was called to be a messenger of hope to the Nation Of Israel at a time when the nation was living in times of darkness and despair. His battle wasn't against a gigantic warrior, rather it was a battle to maintain hope at a time of despair. He believed, he offered his best effort and so while others were overcome with darkness and despair, he reminded his people that "though we walk in darkness now, we will see a great light and the Lord will restore our joy." And his words of faith and comfort sustained a nation at its hour of greatest need. The Faith and Power of one Person Can make all of the difference!
But I am neither a King nor a Prophet, what difference can I make? That might be our question at times and surely it was also the question Mary of Magdalene had also. We don't know that much about her life before her encounter with the Lord that started a new path in her life, but it is safe to say that she had her issues. And among those issues there must have been questions about her self esteem. Who am I that this great teacher would even acknowledge me? That might well have been the thought on her mind as she heard that Jesus was coming into her village and wondered if she should even go to hear what he had to say. Somewhere within, there was still that spiritual hunger, and so despite her questions and self doubts she went, she listened, she believed and so she offered the best that she had and became a leader within the early church. As a matter of fact, to Mary belongs the honor of being the first believer to witness the Resurrection of our Lord. And when she saw the Lord, she ran, and ran and kept running for the rest of her life to share the gospel of hope with any and all! The Faith and Power of one Person can make all of the difference!
But I am neither King, nor Prophet, nor great Spiritual leader, what difference can I make? That might be our question at times, and it may well have been the question of any or all four of the friends we read about in Mark 2: 1-12 who brought their friend to meet Jesus and hopefully be healed. We know nothing of their past, but it is easy to assume that on that day when a wonderful miracle was about to occur, any or all of them could have decided it was too much effort to carry their friend that great distance in the hope of his cure. But when the hour came to begin their trip, each of them showed up and even when they got there to Capernaum and saw the crowd that made it impossible to get in that front door, they were not deterred. And so they snuck around to the back of the building, put up a ladder, somehow got their friend up that ladder and then started sawing a hole in the roof. These guys were crazy but nothing was going to stop them from offering their best effort. And yes, their best effort was enough and their friend was healed and all five of them disappear from the Biblical Record. One can only imagine how many times they told their story with a joy and enthusiasm that was contagious and inspiring! The Faith and Power of one person, especially when combined with the efforts of others can make all of the difference!
And now it is time to leave the fictional character of "Swing Vote" and the real life characters from the Bible and move to our lives. Do you have any doubts about the difference you make in the lives of your loved ones and all who we serve through the ministry of our Church? At times we all do but let this brief survey of Biblical Characters serve as a reminder to all of us that our individual and collective faith and power do make all of the difference! It is the simple truth that our total ministry is equal to the sum of the time, talents and treasures that we provide to make that ministry possible. I thank you for your faithful stewardship that makes it possible for us to make a difference in the lives of our loved ones and others. Now is the time to renew our commitment of faith in our God and in our ability to serve as an instrument of His grace and continue to make all of the difference!
Actions Requested: Think about and then thank those who make a positive difference in your life and realize that right now I and I am sure others are thankful for the difference you make in our lives! It's not always glamorous or famous but your faithful service at home, work, school, church and every where else, does make a difference!
Pastor Stephen Giordano —September 7, 2008