In many ways this feels like a season of growth, and new life. There is new life being formed and nurtured on the Faith grounds, with the beginning of our relationship with Indy Urban Acres. I for one, certainly cannot wait to see the first signs of food and plant life growing from our soil. There is also new life and growth I see in this community at large. Indeed, I have been at Faith UMC close to a year now, and I have seen new ministries birth, and new relationships begin within our wider community. There are signs of new life all around. We know that life, just like the crops in the soil, needs to be nurtured and loved, so that it can grow.
“The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.” Thomas Merton
As Merton points out, our lives are not just simply an existence, they are meant to be nurtured and lived fully. Therefore, we should fully live our lives, especially with a focus on loving God, self, and neighbor. We truly embrace our true selves as we serve others.
As we consider the food that will grow on our land, how might we continue to think about the fruit/love that will be produced from our own lives?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
For us to grow in our outreach, mission, and love (producing good fruit) we need to remain connected. We remain connected by being connected. Think about that sentence for a moment 🙂 We must be intentional about our connectedness to God, and to others. Yes, we find our true selves in the service of others, but we also need to grow by being part of groups and conversations that challenge us to grow. As we remain in Christ, we center ourselves in the community of Christ, so that we can be Christ to one another.
Blessings!
Pastor Matthew
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