We Seem to Forget

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Several years ago, I attended the National Elders Conference of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Nashville, Tennessee. At the meeting, I was fortunate to be able to meet Ann Weems, who has been called the Presbyterian poet laureate.  She passed away in 2016.  She served on the committee that wrote The Brief Statement of Faith. Her work has often been published in Horizons, the magazine of the Presbyterian Women. Here is one of her poems:

“We Seem to Forget” by Ann Weems

What concerns me, what lies on my heart is this:

That we in the church -- papered and programmed,

Articulated and agenda’d—are telling the faith story all wrong.

Are telling it as though it happened two thousand years ago

Or is going to happen as soon as the church budget is raised.

We seem to forget that Christ’s name is

Emmanuel, God With Us. . . .

Not just when he sat among us, but now;

When we can no longer feel the nailprints in his hands.

We need to remember what the true purpose of the church is – to tell the faith story.

Prayer: Dear God, As members of your church, we sometimes get wrapped up in the details of the organization, and “we seem to forget.”  Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and the sacrifice he made for us.

Robin Hadfield (shared previously)