Noble Things are Difficult

With me in tow, my grandfather who had a trace of southern brogue would often empty one pen of cattle to go through a gate to another saying, “Enter ye in the strait gate…because strait is the gate and narrow the way.” I didn’t know if he was scolding me or entertaining me. Now I realize he was quoting a mash-up of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14. It makes me smile to remember, but when I read it, well, it’s hard to grasp. There’s a hardness to it. It doesn’t sound gracious. If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to read the Bible as a noble thing that is difficult. The life of a disciple is noble and difficult. Lifting up Christ’s church purposefully as ministry isn’t easy. But it is not so difficult that we give up.

I think; I hope; I know. The hardness of it all makes us so grateful for the light in the darkness, for the salvation of Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s Church, and Christ has already done the heavy lifting. How can we not then take notice and respond? Talking to a few of you this week, it has been a hard one. May I remind you of something you know. Of course you know, but sometimes it helps to hear it aloud often. God is for you in Jesus Christ. You are part of a noble ministry. So, we collectively pray to the Holy One above to persevere in the noble pursuit of being his disciple.

I look forward to seeing you all next week in Colorado City. Scott

First Central hosted Dr. Jason Byassee in their Festival of Faith this past week, and I wanted to pass along a few take aways that inspired me.  Byassee holds the Butler Chair in Homiletics and Hermeneutics at Vancouver School of Theology encouraged us to read scripture and task a key question:  “How does this passage surprise us with Jesus?”  Byassee demonstrated delight when sharing God’s Word and encouraged us to expect the same as we explore scripture.  Just ask that question.

Secondly he asks us to ponder the holy catholic church.  He said, The church dies in the middle and renews on the edges.”  What he means by this is that when the church is turned inward when we spend all of our time and resources on ourselves- the church withers and dies.  Renewal takes place on the edges.  Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are called to seek out those who live on the margins.  Go, be and do at the edges.

Rev. Janice Six

144th Stated Meeting of Palo Duro Presbytery
September 27-28, 2019
First Presbyterian Church
444 Chestnut
Colorado City, TX 79512-0491
325-7218-5235

The meeting theme is “Best Practices”.  Bring that idea or practice that your church does with excellence – be it worship, sacraments, pastoral care or ministry.  What is that thing you do so well?