2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:1-16 and Luke 10:1-20

It’s July 4th and I write about worship on July 7th. We as a nation of colonists, immigrants, settlers, and natives, can look back and say, “This or that stretch of nation making must have been rough!” Wolves at every turn ready to devour our stated values in Constitution and Declaration. Wars and rumors of wars. A Great Depression and a Great Society trying to make room for a very diverse population.

Our Bible verses reveal the challenges that the church, on behalf of the Kingdom, finds itself up against time and again: going up and out against resistance! Prophets like Elisha we face opponents that we either offer something to “help” or we enter into conflict with. “Do I help Naaman or do I watch the people fight Naaman?” Paul in Galatia resists those who would compromise the Good News. And Jesus sends his Seventy out as though they are Lambs amongst wolves. The Kingdom proclaimed and acted upon is worth the risk.

Whether nation or church, challenges arise, whether prophets or Lambs, we are expected to go forth with a message from the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings. Being a nation of great aspirations or being a church with mission is just not an easy calling. But we’ve been there before! We can do it again…..with God’s help, with God’s Kingdom just over the horizon, just a bit further past the wilderness.

May you be blessed in the challenges!

Pastor Barry