Do You See What We See?

 

“Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. Every wild animal honors me, even jackals and owls. I provide water in deserts—streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people. I made them my own nation, so they would praise me. 

(Isaiah 43:18-21, Contemporary English Version)

“Be brave and strong! Don't be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The LORD your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.”

Then Moses called Joshua up in front of the crowd and said: “Joshua, be brave and strong as you lead these people into their land. The LORD made a promise long ago to Israel's ancestors that this land would someday belong to Israel. That time has now come, and you must divide up the land among the people. The LORD will lead you into the land. He will always be with you and help you, so don't ever be afraid of your enemies…”

 (Deuteronomy 31:6-9, Contemporary English Version)

Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion is as follows: Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. If there was ever a law describing the church in North America it’s this one! We bet you can sit back and think of changes that were finally made in your church - which only came about as a direct result of something traumatic happening which then forced the church to change.

Which leads us to remembering FM Cornford. Cornford was a famous classicist at Cambridge around the turn of the 20th century who had a rather sharp tongue for those who refused to make necessary changes in their lives. Known as Cornford’s Law, he wrote, “Nothing is ever done until everyone is convinced that it ought to be done, and has been convinced for so long that it is now time to do something else.” (Insert laugh out loud emoji here…)

In our two scripture references this week you will readily notice that change is the focal point of both scenarios. In Deuteronomy there is going to be a change in leadership from Moses to Joshua...and a change in residence for the children of Israel. In the prophet Isaiah’s case, God is calling the children of Israel to quit residing in the past and to move forward, trusting him, because he is doing something new and even asks them, “Don’t you see it?”  

Don’t you see it? That is a pertinent question for the church today. Change has come. Change is here. And whether we like it or not, change is forever a part of our lives..

Much of the world is attempting to overcome the changes and restrictions COVID-19 placed upon us. The changes COVID brought into all of our lives has caused many to throw caution aside by returning to pre-covid habits. Many are tired of staying home and being forcibly restrained from visiting one another. They crave companionship.

Others, however, are being more cautious. They’re still ordering goods online, haven’t gone out to a restaurant, and have someone run their errands for them. Many are still adamant about avoiding crowds which, of course, has prohibited their return to corporate worship, discipleship and fellowship.  

Quite honestly, we might as well face it, change has occurred and it’s here to stay...until it changes again. No one truly knows what to make of these new realities. It seems like every day a new report comes out and it changes the report from yesterday! Are we back to normal yet? Is this the new normal? Will we ever get back to normal? 

The safe answer is “We don’t know”...the real answer is “Never.”

There are a few changes and truths we need to accept as we struggle to embrace our new reality. First, there are people who are never coming back to church. Secondly, there are people who enjoy online gatherings and will remain that way. Thirdly, people have been cooped up for so long that any time they have a chance to get away and travel they will. Which leads us to the overarching change that has occurred: Attendance in local church groups will never go back to what they were before. This is especially true of the small and medium size congregations. And, with physical numbers being down so will financial numbers. Drastically. You see what is happening and what is going to happen to many churches, right?

Mike Glenn (an author and pastor) however, sees it this way.  “Now, where we are is where we are and where we are is a great place to start. How many times have we as pastors said to ourselves if we just knew who the committed members were, we could change the world.

Now, we know...Jesus never chased anyone. Neither should we. Work with who shows up. Get serious about discipleship and serving your community. COVID didn’t break anything, but it showed us what was broken. I don’t know about your church, but we found out about 80% of our programs made no difference in the lives of their participants. A handful of things make the most impact. We’re focusing on those things and letting the rest go. We’re shooting a lot of sacred cows and blaming COVID.”

And that is exactly what we should be doing. Working with what we have. Working with who shows up. Not trying to go backwards but move forward. God is creating something new - we just need to see it. We need to be courageous enough to take the first step. Trust that he is alongside us. He is not upset at the change - as a matter of fact - he may have ushered it in. And, even if he didn’t, he is going to use it for his glory. “Do you see it?” If not, why?