No Time is Wasted

Focus Statement

When we don’t have the answer to where we are going,

we often feel like we are wandering and “wasting time.”

But with God, no time is wasted. In our wandering,

God offer us an opportunity to explore new possibilities through acts of creativity, wonder, and play.

Point of Relation

During the pandemic,

I felt like a ship lost at sea, much like the legendary Flying Dutchman.

The tale tells of a captain who made a vow to sail around the Cape, no matter if it took him all eternity.

This determination resonates with my journey—leading my "ship,"

my congregation,

through the tempest, unwavering in my commitment to see the course through, regardless of the cost.

Endless hours of writing, recording, and ministering online

blurred the lines between day and night.

I was adrift, navigating through a storm without stars to guide me,

weighed down by unseen fears

and the fact that some in my congregation seemed to think I was "on vacation”…no joke…

because I was not physically preaching at the church

as we were solely online at that point.

This criticism pierced deeply,

as my every waking moment was

consumed by the work of shepherding my flock through uncharted waters.

Despite the trials, I witnessed God’s hand guiding us.

We were not a dead church,

and I was not a lost pastor.

New ministries emerged,

new leadership took root,

and spiritual growth blossomed.

Though it seemed like a wasted effort,

the fruit of our labor revealed God’s handiwork.

What felt like endless wandering was, in truth,

a journey of profound transformation.

Things to Consider

In the labyrinth of life,

we all wander,

sometimes stumped by its twists and turns.

Where do these shadows fall—

in our lives,

within the church,

or across the world?

Do we feel this weight upon our calling?

In the murky depths of uncertainty,

time seems to slip away,

leaving us yearning for clarity.

We seek certainty, solutions, a guiding star—

yet in the silence,

we may doubt,

wondering if God has turned away,

fearing our lives are but whispers in the wind.

What Scripture Says

Sacred Scripture is a kaleidoscope of stories,

where waiting and wandering become

pathways to encountering the divine.

In these moments of stillness and uncertainty,

we are invited to listen deeply

and watch intently for the whispers of God.

1. Wandering as a Spiritual Practice

In Scripture, wandering is more than mere movement;

It is a spiritual practice,

a journey through the unknown

where God's presence often surprises us.

Proverbs 8 paints Wisdom as a voice crying out in the streets,

eager to be heard by those who

listen

watch

and wait.

This image of Wisdom,

ever-present and calling out,

invites us to embrace our own seasons of wandering

as sacred opportunities to encounter the divine.

Also, consider the story of the Israelites in Exodus 16,

where God provides manna daily in the wilderness.

Their journey was not just about reaching the promised land

but about learning to trust and rely on God's provision each day.

Wandering, then, becomes a time of spiritual growth,

where we learn to listen for God's voice

IN THE MIDST of uncertainty.

2. Play as a Generative Act

Just as wandering can be a sacred practice,

so too can PLAY be a divine act of creation.

Proverbs 8 stirs a debate among theologians:

Is Wisdom a master-worker, crafting alongside God,

or a child-like spirit, delighting in creation? Proverbs 8 stirs a debate among theologians:

Is Wisdom a master-worker, crafting alongside God,

or a child-like spirit, delighting in creation?

This false dichotomy reflects our cultural bias,

where play is seen as idle and work as productive.

Yet, what if play is a sacred act,

a divine dance that births newness?

In our wandering, the Spirit,

gifted to the disciples in their uncertainty,

invites us to explore and create,

to find joy and meaning in the act of play.

Imagine the freedom and creativity that emerges when we allow ourselves to play,

to experiment,

and to delight in the world God has made.

3. Manna in the Wilderness

As we embrace both wandering and play,

we find ourselves in a metaphorical wilderness,

a place of waiting and uncertainty.

In the book of Exodus,

the Israelites wandered in the desert,

hungry and uncertain about their future.

God provided for them by sending manna,

a mysterious bread-like substance that appeared each morning like dew on the ground.

This manna was enough to sustain them for the day,

teaching them to trust in God's daily support and blessings.

We often rush through our own wilderness,

eager for the promised land, longing for clarity.

Yet, what if the wilderness holds its own promise?

What if God gives us not the full map,

but the courage to take the next faithful step?

Pause

In this journey, we learn to trust the divine rhythm,

embracing the value of wandering as a sacred path to wisdom.

The wilderness becomes a place of trust,

where we learn to rely on God's daily provision

and find strength in each small step forward.

What This Means for You

Where do you find yourself adrift,

feeling the weight of time slipping through your fingers?

Pause

Has the notion of wasted moments lingered in your thoughts?

What if this season of uncertainty is an invitation to explore,

a canvas for creativity and wonder?

Embrace the chance to play,

to discover new facets of yourself and your path.

Perhaps it's okay to wander without a map,

for in these spaces,

God crafts new beginnings.

I want you to consider the image of God not as a stern and rigid figure,

but as one who delights in play.

This playful spirit is woven into creation itself,

inviting us to join in the dance.

Can we find joy in this divine playfulness

and allow it to free us from the pressures

of performance and productivity?

Pause

Let us open our hearts to the possibilities that emerge

when we engage in playful exploration,

a journey for all ages,

inviting us to see the world anew.

What This Means for Us

In the quiet corners of our world

and within the sacred halls of the Church,

do we find ourselves ensnared,

yearning for movement?

Consider those places where we feel stuck as a congregation—

perhaps in financial uncertainty,

relying on reserves,

or in the absence of a consistent presence of children,

which casts a shadow on our future.

What if, in our waiting and wandering,

we carved out sanctuaries for slowing down,

for creativity to flourish?

Imagine the transformation that could unfold.

Together, let's envision spaces brimming with play,

creativity, and wonder—

a canvas for the Spirit to dance

and breathe new life into our souls and ministries.

What might emerge if we embraced this divine playfulness?

Let us dream of ways to weave creativity into the fabric of our lives,

offering each other the chance to practice this art of renewal.

Sisters, and brothers, let us share these possibilities,

allowing them to inspire and transform our gatherings,

infusing them with renewed spirit and purpose. Amen? Amen.