Matt’s Musings

Dear St. Paul’s Friends and Family,

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:36-39

Like an Old Pair of Shoes

I witnessed a funny turn of events as I sat at Starbucks, sipping a hot coffee and waiting for the Spirit to move me to write this letter.  One barista’s shift had just ended, but before she had departed, she enjoyed a beverage while lounging on one of the overstuffed chairs.  Evidently, she changed footwear, putting on her rain boots and sliding her work shoes under the chair.  She finally left, leaving her work shoes to be discovered by one of her co-workers.  That’s when the hilarity ensued.  It turned out that the young lady who found the shoes had a phobia of touching other people’s shoes and socks.  The other baristas thought this was funny, so no one offered to alleviate her angst.  Eventually, she gathered the courage to not only touch the shoes but move them behind the counter where they would be later claimed by their owner. 

Most of us have our own little hang-ups that get our dander up.  No matter how small or humorous that thing might be, we quickly find ourselves pushed out of our comfort zone.  Life in community is often like that old pair of shoes.  People, like shoes, can either be a source of comfort or anxiety.  This is especially true if you’re like the barista and find yourself greatly distressed by that which is strange, unfamiliar, broken-in, and potentially smelly.

The discipleship life can even be fraught with a certain amount of old shoe moments. It’s like the time that you remember Jesus’ commandment to love others when you’re smack in the middle of a nasty fight with “the other.”  All that talk of love, grace, and acceptance are greeted with the same kind of enthusiasm as an old, dirty pair of shoes.  And then there’s Jesus’ charge to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, basically to make new friends by spreading Jesus’ love and grace.  If that’s not enough to make you want to run for the hills, then I don’t know what is!  Sharing life and love with someone else is a tall order.  Personally, I would rather jam my size 14 feet into the barista’s shoes than tell others about my beliefs and be open to their life’s story.  

Following Christ is not about being comfortable.  No, sometimes we even must face our fears and step out, putting our best foot forward, for the cause of sharing God’s love and acceptance.  We may even have to fight back the allergic reaction many of us have when confronted with conflict.  The internal cogitations that keep us from acting may be even more debilitating than the prospects of ruffling another’s feathers.  Yet, God’s work requires us to do the most basic things.  We must share our faith, telling others about Christ’s loving acts, if the church, Christ’s Body, is to be a vital, relevant, and transformative presence in the world.  The cause of discipleship requires us to share our time, talent, and treasure for the well-being of the wider community.  We sometimes are even called to sacrifice our own self-interests when we speak out against the prevailing mood of society and give voice to societal sins that marginalize and oppress others.

Perhaps it’s not only life that is like an old pair of shoes.  Maybe God is like those shoes; just waiting to be discovered, time-worn and tested, awaiting a new set of feet who will move God’s work and Word a little farther down the cosmic road.  Perhaps God is calling us to fill those shoes.  I believe God is!

Blessings on your journey!

Pastor Matt