When I purchased my first house, I drained most of my bank account of any money for its needed repairs. I learned to use duct tape. The results were never pretty but the all-purpose tape was effective enough in securing anything unruly. At that time in my life, I was traveling a great deal. I recall seeing a flight attendant use duct tape to secure a loose panel in flight and thinking of our mutual resourcefulness.
How times have changed. In 2021, more than one desperate flight crew had to reach for duct tape to restrain unruly passengers. Last year a record number of altercations occurred on commercial airlines with one in five flight attendants experiencing physical violence.
Stories like this pervade our pandemic experience. Frontline workers endure abusive shoppers whose anger flares when they cannot find the exact type of blue cheese. Domestic violence is skyrocketing among families who are stuck together. In 2021, traffic accidents rose, despite a steep decline in volume, due to recklessness and road rage. A record number of firearms were purchased.
Whoa. At some point we need to stop and check our internal thermometers for the simmering tensions and ask ourselves, “Is this who I want to be?”
Long ago, those called to be a part of the church – not a building but a group of people who seek to follow Christ – learned how to navigate a hostile world with faith, hope, and love. Modeling Christ’s behavior, they taught others what it means to love neighbors and enemies.
Faith teaches us forgiveness. Read Louise’s article in this issue. One of our more potent antidotes to rage rises from this difficult and yet healing practice.
We grow when we learn to speak the truth. Ed convenes safe places to have these candid conversations.
Outreach and volunteer opportunities provide practical ways to be the church. Feed the hungry. Welcome the refugee. Learn about the realities of racial injustice. See one another with God’s eyes.
Our sermon series, Being the Church, will continue through the month of February. In these sermons, we will reflect upon the ways our faith calls us forward to be the church in 2022 in ways that change this lethal trajectory. Join us online or in person.
I only want to use duct tape to repair my household…not my world.
In faith,
Jo Forrest