Mid-week News 1-30-13

Dear Family of faith, “Incredible” and “Wonderful” are two adjectives used by those who attended the musical, Billy Elliot, last night at Ruth Eckerd Hall, a church-outing to see the production which is set in a coal miners’ strike in England during the time of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It’s a story of a miner’s son who found his true identity not in boxing or bullying, but in dancing. The 13-year-old boy from MA who played the part of Billy was unbelievably talented, but it was the theme that captured all our interest and affection—that people should be free to be who they are and be true to themselves. In the end, life is not about living up to someone else’s expectations, but rather about being who you are and embracing that identity. It’s about letting the real you out, letting your soul soar, letting your spirit free; and finding in that freedom, the joy of living. That is what I have tried to do in my ministry; that is what I have desired for our church. What it means for me is that I have to stop putting labels on people, cease trying to find a “slot” for them in my limited vocabulary, and just let them be who they are. Maybe you can try to be that for others, too. Instead of looking at family and friends or strangers and asking “What are you? What label do you wear?” Try just saying, “I love you just as you are.” After all, didn’t Mr. Rogers teach us that? Do you worry a lot? I can when the threats of life are pressing down and things seem so uncertain. I learned long ago that trying to “distract myself” from worrying never works. I can’t “keep busy” and avoid thinking about things. The only way that I’ve been able to stop “worrying about tomorrow and let tomorrow worry about itself” (as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6) is to bring my worries and leave them with God. It’s a conscious choice, and it takes some practice; but in the end we have the assurance that all things work for good for those who love God. I hope that you can do that with your worries this week. Let God handle them! With affection for all of you, Pastor Carlan