Every once in a while, as I turn on my laptop ready to open up emails or whatever else needs taken care of technology-wise, the digital world instantly stops me in my task-oriented track with some of the random images they upload to my initial screen. Just a not-so-subtle reminder of the breathtaking beauty still alive and well in this world that we sometimes wonder if it’s descending into a not-so-pleasant abyss. This time, it was the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range in South Africa, overlooking one of the most scenic coastlines in the world.
Of course, the name draws us back to the original twelve: Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. And as we at Divinity are preparing our confirmands for their Affirmation of Baptism on Sunday, May 4, I’ve grown to appreciate the mindset of further preparing the modern-day disciples. Granted, I understand that for most children of God, especially parents and grandparents, the whole baptism thing is essential for an eternal life insurance policy, of sorts. But I prefer that God is ushering us into even more scenic waters than an Atlantic coastline: into a most precious landscape of nourishing and empowering others’ lives and the Creation as well.
In a way, whether it be through Confirmation or whatever other on-going ministries of the church in shaping the baptized children of God with worship or Bible study or outreach opportunities, we’re hoping to build up new towering figures of the faith. We’re hoping to raise up new Peters and Andrews and Philips. And yes, they and all of us will have our moments of denying the ultimate pillar of love in Jesus Christ. We’ll even have our moments of flat-out betraying the Lord of compassion with our actions. But over and over again, the baptismal waters will keep on rushing us to shores of lives that need more hope and belief in a world that was and still is worth dying for in Jesus Christ.
Us modern-day disciples may not be as towering or as strong as literal mountains, but we will still be raised up to be not-so-little Christs to one another, and not ultimately through Confirmation or Bible study classes (although those help, to be sure), but through the still-living Lord among us. And, in the end, we may provide just enough holy passion and heart-felt conviction with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help others even be willing to scale the tallest of not-so-pleasant life circumstances. That they will know the Gospel proclaimed by the original twelve long ago still applies to them today. Thanks be to God, indeed!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
Images from https://hiketablemountain.co.za