saints

This morning at church we "celebrated" All Saints Day. I had heard of the holiday but never really spent any time contemplating it. Some recognize saints in different ways but I think based on scripture that a saint is anyone born again by faith in Christ.

"To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7)

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12)

The staff at Snyder spent a lot of time talking about the shoulders of the ones we stand on in our life.. the people that may have gone before us but have influenced us to become who we are today. I have spent a lot of time at funerals in the last 26 years. I could go on and on listing people who I have lost. For some there was a peace that they wouldn't suffer anymore... for some there was relief they are in a better place... and for many there was extreme sadness wishing they didn't leave me so soon.

My aunt passed away when I was in third grade. I lost my mom's parents a month apart in fifth grade. My dad's best friend and cousin died during one of my high school soccer games. A high school classmate committed suicide before we graduated. One of my best friend's mom's lost a battle to cancer while I was away for a summer. A football player died my freshman year of college. My last grandparent passed away while I was away at college. My dad's uncle that he took care of, died on my birthday. Another high school classmate left us too soon with complications from diabetes. And those are just a small sampling of the loss in my life... but I pray that I never become too comfortable with death just because of its frequency.

When Giles was talking this morning a verse came to find from Psalms 116:15 that says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." That could be really morbid, but I take comfort in it... knowing God cherishes us through death. Regardless, I'm so thankful for the saints in my life who have lived their lives in a way that inspires me to seek His face even more passionately.

Meanwhile... there are those of us here still battling this earthly mess. I'm grateful to the people in my life who help me get through hard times and I pray that I can be a help to them when they need me. Giles' "Servant Song" says...

"We are travelers on a journey fellow pilgrims on the road. We are here to help each other walk a mile and bear the load. I will hold the christ light for you in the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you say the peace you long to hear. I will hold you. I will carry. Here's my shoulder, I will journey with you. Brother let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant to. Sister let me be your servant. let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant to. I will hold you. I will carry. Here's my shoulder, I will journey with you. I will carry. Here's my shoulder, I will journey with you. Will you journey with me?"

Letting go of burdens is not easy. It is so much easier said than done. It appears to be much easier to handle it ourselves rather than trust someone else with it. Last night I was talking about how God's requests are not conditional. He doesn't say forgive only if the offender apologizes. He doesn't say love your neighbor only if they love you back. He doesn't say give me your burden only if someone else is giving me the burden too. He does say "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

or in other words from the message version... "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

He makes it sound so easy. Why wouldn't we do it? We're scared... we still want to have control. But we obviously suck at it or we probably wouldn't be in this predicament. :) Nevertheless... I think when we're ready to give up that burden, we should look to those around us who are right next to us waiting to be the shoulder... waiting to carry us... waiting to be the servant to help get through this journey together.