Hands, Feet, Eyes, Ears, and Mouths

 

Scripture

Mark 9:42-47

⁴² “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell,to the unquenchable fire. ⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,

Devotion

 If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now:  I am always impressed by the members of our church's Youth Group.  They are insightful, creative, kind, and determined.

Last Sunday, we asked the Youth Group to consider the ways they may use thier hands, feet, and eyes in ways that create stumbling blocks for others.  The group caught on right away and began talking about the ways we can use those things to physically and emotionally harm others.  But they didn't stop there.  They went on to talk about how other parts of how they can use other parts of thier bodies to hurt people--how mouths can spread hatefulness or rumors and ears can choose to listen to lies instead of truths.  The longer they went, the more detailed they became on the very real ways we can use the things God has given us to hurt people.  And their answers were so striking because you could tell that a lot them weren't hypothetical; they came from an awareness of harm they had either done to others or had done to them. The Youth Group members seemed determined to root the human tendencies and impulses to hurt others out of their lives just as Jesus tells us to--even if the process of doing so might be painful.

Would that we all had the self-awareness and courage of FPC Wadesboro's Youth Group.  Just think of how different our relationships might be if we were completely honest with ourselves and others about the mistakes we have made and the things about ourselves we need to change if we are to stop letting our baser impulses create stumbling blocks.  I, for instance, would probably have to acknowledge the ways that my mouth can get away from me and take a good hard look at the anger and defensiveness that rise up within me whenever I feel threatened.  And I don't even want to get into the part of me that wants nothing more than to "protect" myself by holding onto hurts and grudges for far longer than is healthy for anyone.   If I were to fully cut those things completely out of my life, how much happier and healthier would the people around me (including myself) be?  And if we were all to do that kind of work...well just imagine the difference that could make for the world.

After talking about what they needed to stop doing, the Youth Group went one step further and started talking about how they could use those same body parts to heal instead of hurt.  They mentioned how they can read good things, listen to people's sorrows, offer friendly words of advice, and use their hands and feet to take on any number of projects that help others.  One member made the profound statement that we could our feet to walk into the sanctuary and our hands to pick up a Bible so our eyes could read God's Word.  Then we could get down on our knees and use our mouths to pray for God's help so that when we get up again, our ears would still hear God's voice and we would use our whole bodies--head, hands, feet, and everything in between--to do Jesus's work in the world.    No sermon or theologian could have summed it all up any bettter.

This is the world that our Youth Group wants to build: a world where everyone roots out what is harmful and then uses all the gifts God has given us to create something better.  They want to help birth a way of life that is in line with God's will and that better expresses Christ's love for all than the world we live in now does.    And I think that they can do it.  But they do need the help and support of others as they do that good work.

Let us join the Youth Group on its mission to root out the impulses and behaviors hat harm others and build up the ones that help.  This work may take some painful sacrifices on our parts, but let us do it joyfully.  And when we see someone--particularly a young person--trying to use what God has given them to help heal the world, let us thank them for being role models for the rest of us.  For when we support their efforts and follow their example, then we can all work together to build up the Kingdom of God.

 

Prayer 

Lord, your statutes are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  Help me to use all that I am and all that you have given me in ways that are in keeping with your commandments.  May I cut from my life all the things that cause myself and others to stumble, so that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, I may live in ways that build up your beloved community on Earth.