Moving Forward

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
June 27th 2010
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
2Kings 2:1-2; 6-14; Luke 9:51-62
“Moving Ahead”`

What will our legacy be? When the children of our children look back to our time in history, what will they say? Will we take up a few sentences or a few pages in the church history written in 2153? When they look back to us as an example, what will they see? Will it be an example worth following or will it be a warning of what not to do?
The times we face are full of great opportunity, great promise, and great risk. I wish I could stand here today and present a three point plan or five year plan that will perfectly respond to the challenges of our time. The truth is that I cannot and neither can anyone else promise perfection. But, this does not mean we are not without hope.
Look around. No, seriously, please look around. What do you see? In five years, Westminster will not be the same place that it is today. That presents many opportunities and raises a related question. Do you want to have a hand in helping Westminster continue to live into God’s vision? I want to invite you to wrestle with that question with God in prayer. We are going to enter into a time of silence. During that time I want you to pray that God reveal one thing you can be doing right now which will move us closer to faithfulness in that vision. Maybe it will mean being more involved with the ministry of the church, or becoming a more faithful giver, or remembering Westminster in your Will, or a challenge to go deeper you spiritual life, or all of the above. But in this time, pray that God reveal one thing which you can do right now to be a part. What did you hear? Write it down right now. Also, share it with one person before the end of the day. But only do this if you think leaving a legacy for the children of our children is a worthy goal.
Transition and legacy is at the heart of these scriptures. Both Jesus and Elijah are preparing the next generation. Elijah is going to the Jordan River to be taken up and Jesus is going to Jerusalem to be strung up. Elijah is going to be wrapped up in a whirlwind and Jesus will face a storm of trouble. Both the followers of Elijah and Jesus do not fully understand what it will be like when their teachers are gone. Trouble is coming that these followers cannot even imagine. But, both Elijah and Jesus remain faithful leaving a legacy worth following for the children of their followers.
When given the opportunity to control the lives of his successor, Elijah resists. Elijah’s beloved student asks to take over. But instead of working behind the scenes to grant the request or pretending he knows the will of God, Elijah shows what it means to trust. If it is God’s will, it will happen. And if not, then it will not. It is a supreme act of trust. Elijah does not know what will happen when he is gone. He does not know if it will be exactly to his liking, but he has the radical trust that God knows best.
Jesus, in his way, prepares his followers for the road ahead. Knowing that the disciples will abandon him, he does not hold it over their heads or become the harbinger of death. Jesus continues to provide hope and teach from love. He does not hide the tough road ahead and the need to remain faithful but he does not overwhelm or leave them despairing. The followers of Jesus may not have even made it to Jerusalem if he did not lead with hope. Jesus teaches in his actions that we are to remain faithful no matter what lays in the road ahead. Not even the threat of death is to keep us from our faithfulness.
Both Elijah and Jesus leave a legacy that generations continue to follow. So, what will be the content of our story, our legacy? What will be the content of your story? We each have the ability to influence what will be said and written about us by the children of the children present in our midst. Look around, look into the faces of those who come after you and remember they are watching, taking mental notes. Today is the day we can show them our example. Will it be an example worth remembering? Amen.