Back to Where we First Belong

Sisters and Brothers,

We took a brief hiatus from Genesis, so we could focus on specific Advent messages, but as we move past Advent and Epiphany Sunday, this Sunday, we have a chance to return to where we began. Genesis.

I realize that, for some, this book has little relevance or vitality to their story, today. And for thsoe that feel that way, I am sorry. I believe they are not only relevant, but when read through the lens of our current context, i sense Genesis has a lot to say to us. More than we may know. I also asked for a vote, and the church, as a body, chose to stay in Genesis, which i am thankful for. Because i am beginning to understand, finally, that if we begin something, we have to end it. It does no good to stop, halfway, and then move to something easier, more comfortable.

So we travel back, back to where it all began, back to where our story, as a people of faith, finds its foundation, and back to where the heroes of the faith discovered the God of all Creation. We go back.

This week's text comes from Genesis 31, and it is the rehearsal of when Jacob left Laban and journeyed back to Jacob's homeland, Hebron. Now this story, in its literal form, may not be able to "speak" to us, thousands of years later, but these stories, i feel, at least for today's time, should not be viewed only as history, but as a moral, as a teaching tool, to guide us in our own journeys. And if we allow ourselves to view this story as a way of illuminating our own story and struggles, i sense it speaks volumes to us.

In the text, Jacob flees Laban, because Jacob is afraid of what Laban would do if Jacob went to Laban and requested permission to leave. Jacob feared Laban would keep him from leaving. So, like a coward, Jacob fled, at night, with all his possessions and two wives. Laban never got the chance to kiss his daughters or grandchildren goodbye. If i were Laban, i would be angry too. But it raises a question. Does Jacob have a right to leave, so quickly, under the protection of darkness? Some would say yes, because Laban had treated Jacob terribly in the 20 years Jacob worked for him, and some would say yes, because God told Jacob to come home. However, when we run from any situation, without proper closure, are we ever free? Can the past catch up to us?

Yes. And it will. Laban caught up to Jacob, as our past, our choices, and our broken relationships will catch up to us, and we will have to deal with them, eventually. We cannot, like Jacob did, continue to run and hide and hope it "passes" over. It wont. Whatever is causing our pain, our struggle must be dealt with. And i sense if we, like Laban and Jacob did, finally sit down and work through our issues, we will find an amicable resolution. We can be healthy people. We can have healthy relationships. And we can face our past, resolutely, because we know God created us to handle anything and everything, if we put our faith in Him.

So folks, its time to quit running. Its time to quit hiding in the shadows playing games with each other. Its time to treat each other as family, sitting down together and, in love, God's love, work through whatever it is that is causing our struggle. Its time to face our demons and let God heal us. And its time to embrace the year of Jubilee that God is going to give us, so that we can be whole, joyful, and free. Come to the table, there is plenty of room, and God's love is abundant. Amen.

Shalom,
jerry