Left Everything and Followed

We are talking about priorities this week. In what do we put our trust? By what scale do we measure our value? This could be a day for a statement of faith to remind us where our allegiance lies. Like Peter in the boat, we have the opportunity to leave everything and follow Jesus—or to reaffirm our commitment to follow unhesitatingly.

That, of course, means we need space for confession. We have made this commitment before and yet have mixed up our priorities again and again. In the face of the purity of Christ’s invitation and presence, we see how far we fall short. This need not be a groveling, painful expression, but an admission of the distractions of this life and the longings of the self that keep us from the ability to keep our eyes on Jesus day by day. We wrap our confession with an invitation to the Spirit to sustain us in our weakness and sinfulness and guide us when we stray.

The emphasis needs to be on commitment. Is there space for an altar call? This is not necessarily for a first-time commitment, although that is always welcome. But there could be space and time for a recommitment or reaffirmation of the desire—the whole community’s desire—to follow in the way of Jesus. It could be traditional with people coming forward to the Communion rail for laying on of hands or simple prayer support. It could be done through writing with cards left up front, placed in the offering place, or as folks left the sanctuary. There could be a time of anointing for commissioning to the task of living one’s faith in the world each day.

Singing the hymns of the faith can also confirm our commitment to be followers, disciples, of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. “Here I Am, Lord” or other hymns of being called and responding to that call can give us the will to put our faith into practice once again and live into the future that we are becoming. This is where we are, the community with a destination in sight, the kin-dom of God.