NO MIRAGE FOR CENTRAL UNITED

RALLY DAY SUNDAY

Sept. 8, 2002

Text: “The mirage shall become a pool.”  Isaiah 35:7

Three years ago, - I had the opportunity to conduct a tour of people to the Holy Land.  We were most fortunate, for as it turned out -  it was the very best time [in recent years] to be in the Holy Land. 

An unusual calm had settled over the land.  The conflicts of past years, were being set aside, and there was hope of lasting peace.   Ehud Barak had just been elected President; and - there was an atmosphere of excitement and hope, as both Jews and Palestinians looked forward to peace.  

Unfortunately, as we all know, their dream of peace would soon be shattered.   But that’s a topic for another day.

There is something very special about being in Israel; - walking where Jesus walked.  Seeing the places where He preached and healed.  And especially treading through the walled city of Jerusalem – along the path that He must have walked as He was led to the Cross. 

It’s something that every Christian should experience – at least once in a life-time, - and I hope that soon,  it will be possible for pilgrims to return to the Holy Land.

One of many memorable occasions during our trip - was the journey down to Jericho, and then on to the Dead Sea,  - and eventually  on to the nearby caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  It’s a very dry and barren part of the world.  But it’s a very special  being there – and realizing just how much history has unfolded in this part of the world.

For me, the experience in the Dead Sea area was memorable for another reason.  The day we were there just happened to be - the hottest day on record for that time of year, in over 50 years,  [and only 2 degrees below the very hottest temperature every recorded at the Dead Sea].  The thermometer reached a staggering -  49°C  that afternoon, – [that’s nearly 125°F].    Unbelievable heat.  It was so hot that perspiration evaporated the instant it formed on your body.  And you had to be extremely careful, less your body dehydrate – which, of course would cause very serious consequences.  - In fact, one of our group did suffer from dehydration, and for awhile, we thought we might lose him!

It was in desert conditions, very much like this, [and in fact not that far away] – that the Israelites roamed for forty years, prior to entering the Promised Land.  They must have experienced intense heat for days on end, - and without the benefit of modern air-conditioned buses, and bottled, safe drinking water.  They must also have known one of the strange phenomena of desert regions – the mirage.

A mirage has been called the cruelest thing - the desert can produce, - because it raises false hopes.  Far away, on the horizon, the desert traveler sees a bright oasis – with the promise of tall, green palm trees and fresh, cool water.  The traveler will struggle on in the direct of the mirage – thinking refreshment is just a short distance away.  But as he moves towards it – the vision begins to recede, -wavers – then vanishes into nothing, - leaving only the heat & the dust & the terrible thirst.

For the people of Israel, their quest for the Promises Land – sometimes seemed like a mirage.  Forty long years, they slugged through the sand and the barren rock – in search of this elusive goal. 

Yes, the People of Israel knew all about mirages.   They knew the disillusionment that a mirage can bring, to those on a journey of faith.

So when the Prophet Isaiah spoke about a mirage – he was talking to people who really understood what he was talking about.     However, in this particular passage, (which we have chosen as our text) - Isaiah takes the normal understanding of a mirage – and turns it completely around.  With incredible daring, he takes – what most Israelites would see as a nightmare situation – one filled with cynicism and disillusionment – and says:-  it doesn’t have to be that way. – The mirage can become a pool – a pool of refreshing, pure water!

Isaiah’s point is this. -  He knows that life is often full of disappointments, - with wrecked dreams and broken promises; -- but his point is: “Life doesn’t have to be that way; - not when we put our trust in God!   The mirage” he asserts, “can become a real pool of fresh, renewing water.”

These were words of great wisdom, - though their were times in the history of the Israelites when all they could see was the mirage. 

Do you remember their story? 

The people of Israel living in Egypt after the great famine, - had a great vision.  They believed - one day God would lead them to a wonderful, bountiful land flowing with milk and honey.  And so with great hope, - they fled from their slavery in Egypt and set out across the desert – in search of the Promised Land.

But they struggled in the desert, for 40 years, - wandering about aimlessly – and their wonderful vision of a ‘land filled with milk and honey’ evaporated – becoming nothing more than a mirage.   They felt broken, - defeated, - abandoned.

But one day a miracle happened.  That pathetic band of wandering pilgrims – rediscovered the presence and power of their God; –   and they became a nation – able (with God’s help) – to claim their promised Land.

And so here in this text Isaiah is saying:  “Remember the past. – It’s going to be that way again.  Times may be difficult now”,  he proclaims, - but this mirage you see today – is going to become a pool.  – There is hope!  God will direct us.”

The problem with a mirage, - is that it causes people to focus on  the wrong objective.   They place their hope and expectation on something that turns out to be - an illusion. 

The mirage doesn’t lead desert travelers to safety; - it veers them off in the wrong direction, - out into the barren sand, - and away from the oasis that the traveler so desperately needs.

          APPLICATION

So what’s the relevance of this Scripture passage – for us here today at Central?

We're facing a major change in our congregation’s leadership.  Glen has already left us for a new challenge, and all too soon, Ralph’s going to be retiring. 

As we struggle to come to grips with this major change in leadership, there’s a danger that - like the Israelites –  we’ll feel abandoned, and leaderless.  We may also be tempted to think that new life, and growth for our congregation – is dependent upon finding the perfect leadership team – that will revolutionize our congregation, - and lead us on to new triumphs – as we seek to do the work of God in Unionville.

But to put too much focus – upon a perfect ministerial team – may be to focus on a mirage; - because there is no such thing as ‘a perfect minister’.   Even the Apostle Paul couldn’t be called ‘the perfect minister’!    Only Jesus comes close, - and even He had His critics.

That’s not to say – there aren’t ministers with exceptional gifts and dedication, - but not even the most gifted are be able please all members of a congregation. 

The plain fact is, - ministers (like the rest of us) are human beings.   And so they all come with human weaknesses and failings.

I’m sure that our Search Committee is going to do an excellent job – as it seeks to find the right ministerial staff for Central.  But let’s not put all our hope and expectation upon finding - that perfect ministerial team for Central, - for that may be our mirage which leads us off in the wrong direction.

You see, - the real hope for Central, - lies not in whom we will call to serve us, - but in the potential we already have in our midst.

Since joining the ministerial team in July, I’ve been impressed with the quality of leadership that permeates our whole congregation.  Central has a host of talented, dedication members – who bring a host of skills, interests and commitment to the life of our congregation.

Just one example, is found in our Sunday School leadership team.  We’re blessed with a team of exceptionally leaders and teachers – whose contribution in the planning of our Sunday School programme – is  enormous.    The young people who’re going to participate in the exciting Christian Education programmes this year, - are in for a real treat.  [I only wish that Sunday School had been this exciting and meaningful when I was young.]

But that’s only one area of our Church’s life.  We have many innovative, committed Christians working in a host of other areas of our congregation’s life.  And it’s here – with our own people – that we need to focus our hopes and expectations.  You the people of Central – are our most valuable asset.  You are the ones who will ensure that the mirage - (that deceives many congregations) – becomes for us a pool of living water – the power and direction of the Holy Spirit enters your lives and inspires you to serve the Lord in our congregation.

I’m excited about our potential.  I’m excited about what is possible as we harness the talents and interests that you already possess.  And I’m excited about where the Holy Spirit is going to lead us this year; - and in the years to come.

This is not a year to simply mark time.  It’s not a year – just to hold things together, waiting for that magically new team that will accomplish the impossible among us.  But rather, it’s the year – for all of us to show - that the real strength of Central United Church is found within; - with you, the people who are the manifestation of the ‘Body of Christ’ in Unionville.