Recently, I had the privilege of bringing the message to our former church (Fellowship CRC) in Edmonton. The message, titled Trust the Catcher, was built around Namaan's story in 2 Kings 5 and the parable of the lost son in Luke 15. I also made use of a Henri Nouwen account of his friendship with a group of trapeze acrobats called the Flying Rodleighs. Nouwen asked the leader of the troupe how it all works. These were some answers given:
“As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher…”
“… the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him/[her].”
“…Just stretch out your arms and hands and trust, trust, trust.“
Excerpt(s) from April 14 message to Fellowship CRC, Edmonton:
…While Namaan’s story reminds us that there is nothing we can do to manipulate God into loving us more, the portion of the lost son parable that we read reminds Kathy and I why we can trust our Catcher-God. There is a line in the younger son’s story that is gripping. Verse 20: “But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion.”
”While he was still far off…”
I can't speak for you, but many days Kathy and I feel “still far off”; we feel like we’re flying erratically. We have known God’s love…and yet... we are far off from loving God, loving our neighbours and loving the creation God made. Far off from living just economic lives, far off from keeping the faith. Far off, blinded by life’s events and by grief that just won’t go away. Far off, trembling in fear about what life might hold in the coming months. Yet, God yearns, with reaching arms for us to come closer. But while we are still far off, kilometres away and covered in the pig manure of sin or disease or broken relationships or addiction or fear or grief… or…well, you name the brokenness or pain that you feel, God sees us and has compassion on us. God closes the gap between us. Romans 5:8 (NRSV) But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
While we were still sinners…
While we were still far off…
As Kathy and I struggle with cancer and with the concept that our time together will end too soon, we are trying to be aware of and abide in God’s loving presence and know God’s wide and gracious compassion. Compassion that closes the gap. Compassion that comforts and provides. Compassion that allows us still to fly! Compassion that will catch us…
…People of God may you find hope for life, in knowing the Catcher. May you find the gracious love that allows you to fly. May you see God’s loving nail-scarred hands reaching for you. And may you, with arms and hands outstretched simply Trust, Trust, Trust.
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