Not My Best Show

Some of you of the right age and television demographic may remember one of now Senator Al Franken's legendary Saturday Night Live characters. Stuart Smalley was a self-help television show host who usually seemed to need a little help himself before it was over with. I'll never forget one of the most memorable episodes of this show. Smalley doesn't usually have guests on his show, and "that's OK." But things get really funny when he attempts to help legendary basketball star, Michael J. (to protect his anonymity), to feel better about himself. Click here to watch...

I'm going to do a little bit of self-revelation today. I am not sure that Sunday was my "best show." I messaged a friend Sunday night that I didn't think I had preached very well Sunday morning. He confided that, for one reason or another, he felt the same way about his own sermon. Maybe there was something in the air yesterday that made things feel like they just didn't "click."

I am almost sure I didn't say anything heretical. And I don't think anybody fell asleep (at least nobody new - there are a couple that I lose to slumber on a regular basis, but I don't take it personally). I don't think anybody is going to answer the call to be a missionary in Africa from the message yesterday.

But you know what? I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it... -people like me! So what if it wasn't my best show. Is that what church is supposed to be... a show? I hope not.

Yesterday, I offered the word of God. I expounded upon the lectionary text of the day. We reflected upon how God is the vinegrower, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. John 15:1-8 simply says to abide in Christ and he will abide in us. We must remain connected to the vine so we can bear fruit for the kingdom. If we don't bear fruit, we risk being pruned away and discarded and burned.

Then, we did one of my favorite things. We gathered around the table of the Lord. We feasted on the bread and wine. We moved from whatever proclamation of the word I mustered to the mystery of God's grace present in the sacrament of Holy Communion. God had the last word.

As I gave the benediction Sunday, I simply called us to go into the world, to be faithful branches, and to bear fruit. The fruit doesn't always come in the time we think it should or the quantity we think is right. But if we remain connected to the vine and allow God to prune and shape us, we can be fruit-bearers.

I might not have preached my most memorable sermon. And this blog is not an effort to get a bunch of cheap affirmations from you folks who were there! Please don't respond in that way. I have had many meals in my life. Even though all are not memorable, I have been fed and nourished just the same.

So even though the sermon might not have "done it" for me this week, the celebration of God's grace in bread and wine did. God's grace, if received and welcomed into your life, can always make it beyond the benediction and to the point of our need.

When we fall short, God's grace is sure. Thanks be to God for all-sufficient grace!