Devotion - Monday, October 22

This was an exciting weekend in Clemson.  Between the home football game and the hayride at the Sanders, we had a number of alumni who returned and took the time to drop by.  It was great to catch up on their current situation - where they are working, how their social life is going, and what is happening to them with regard to their spiritual journey.

I was pleased and impressed with each story shared with me.  As you might imagine the stories varied greatly.  A common theme among the stories was an appreciation for the opportunity to have been welcomed into a community and shown what it means to share life and purpose with others.

Granted, this was a random survey.  These were the folks who returned, who ventured from where ever they were parking over to the church, and looked me up to share the update.  But while the input may have come from a self-selecting sub-group it remains informative.  There was something about the experience of 

community which has remained a powerful draw in their lives.

The mark of a community is a group who remains together through time and through events.  Communities are all too often voluntary and short lived.  We join a community with too high a level of timidity - ready to bolt when something isn't as perfect as we dreamed it would be.  Christian community is a bit different.  Here, we realize that it is Christ who holds us together and we understand our shared goal of following Christ.  When the ten were offended by James and John's seeking positions of authority (yesterday's Gospel lesson) they didn't fall away.  They spoke openly about their disappointment with fellow disciples and moved forward together.

The visits this weekend spoke of the opportunity to have a community wherein our own rough edges can be exposed - with the realization that the caring community will be courageous enough to point out our opportunities for growth, while remaining very much committed to us as a sibling in Christ.

Some of those returning alum had with them children approaching the college years.  They reminded me how long I have been at this work.  They reminded me why.  I have the opportunity to see and to experience the transition which comes in the lives of God's children at a very critical time in life.  And having this transition hundreds of times, please allow me to share with you that while it may sometimes be a challenge, it well worth the journey.