Central Family,

This weekend we celebrate our independence and freedom as citizens of the United States of America. At each Sunday worship experience (Sanctuary Worship at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 – Lions Park Worship at 9:30) we will pause for a time of remembrance and gratitude. For the vast majority of us what began as an accident of birth has become an integral part of our very being. We do not take our privilege and responsibility as citizens of the United States of America lightly. At the same time when we gather on Sunday we worship as brothers and sisters in the Lord’s family, members of the body of Christ, children of the same Heavenly Father and workers in the kingdom of God. In other words we are dual citizens!

Are you aware that Francis Scott Key was a dual citizen? He dared to love and serve both God and country. Francis Scott Key, the author or our national anthem, took seriously his responsibilities as a disciple of Jesus and an American. (You might want to Google him to learn more about his dual citizenship.) This week I have been reflecting on what it means to be a dual citizen and what that could mean for you and me.

I think first and foremost it means that we return to our identity as children. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us about the time that children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The adult disciples rebuked the people – quit interrupting and bothering Jesus – but Jesus lived according to a different value system. He said in no uncertain terms, ‘Let the children come to me! Don’t stop them! They are the sort the kingdom of heaven belongs to!’ One commentator suggests, “Jesus isn’t bothered by the fact that some of the children who are brought to him can’t talk properly, that some may be dirty and smelly, and that some will be up to mischief the moment they think nobody’s looking. He simply relishes the young life, bubbling up like water from a fountain and refusing to be quenched. That’s what God’s Kingdom is like – full of new and unpredictable life. Little children, trusting, adventurous, eager, ready to be drawn into stories and dramas, are just the sort of people the kingdom is for.”

So – if we can posture ourselves as children what does the Lord want to teach us as citizens? In Micah 6:8 we read, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah, whose very name is a message (meaning, “Who is like the Lord?”), lived during the days of Isaiah. He came from Moresheth-Gath, a rather small and poor village about 10 – 12 miles from Jerusalem. This small town villager walked into Jerusalem and denounced the policies there. In midst of his preaching, which made the citizens of Jerusalem very uncomfortable and angry, Micah proclaimed what God really wants from us; worship is essential but going through the motions is not what it is all about. God asks for three things:

• TO DO JUSTICE; Justice, in the Bible, isn’t simply the good being rewarded and wicked being punished. Rather, in the Old Testament, mishpat (justice) means that everyone, especially the poor, the orphan, the widow, the stranger, all are cared for. And note that God does not simply ask us to think that misphat is a good idea for our politicians; God says we should do mishpat. Do something! Have you signed the Abolition Pledge Card that will be given to our Senators? This Sunday is the last opportunity!
• TO LOVE KINDNESS; Kindness is far more than ‘Minnesota Nice’. The Hebrew word is hesed, which means “steadfastness,” “commitment,” “loyalty,” or even “unconditional love.” God asks us to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph 4:32)
• TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD; Humility is the essence of faith. Water always seeks the lowest place – to the degree that we humble ourselves we will be filled with the water of life from the fountain that never runs dry. Humility is recognizing our place in God’s world and before others. We do not think to highly of ourselves, never thinking “I am the center of the universe,” but ready to learn afresh what it means to “Love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves.”

I hope you have a great July fourth weekend, with or without fireworks, BUT most importantly I hope you understand your identity as citizen in the Kingdom of God. As a member of the body of Christ will you do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God? It is these three things that give birth to true freedom and independence.

Blessings on your worship this weekend!

Paul Johansson
Paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

P.S. During summer I encourage you to take some time to read a good book. Each week I will put in front of you a few books that you might want to consider reading during the summer. At the Congregational Meeting we encouraged all members of Central to read two books; ‘Back To Jerusalem- Three Chinese House Church Leaders Share Their Vision To Complete The Great Commission” by Paul Hattaway and ‘Follow Me – What’s Next For You?' by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson. These are two books your leadership is using to guide our mission of Making Jesus Known. Another book that you will want to read is ‘From Slavery to Freedom: A Personal Reading of the Exodus Story’ by Jeff Krogstad. You guessed right! The author is Pastor Krogstad. You can purchase all these books through Central’s book store.