YOU ARE INVITED TO A FUNERAL

 Goshen 6-3-90 (Rev. Clyde B. Smith)

“Naaman - "I thought...”

II Kings 5: 1- 12 esp. v. 11

You are invited to a funeral.

It is one with many bodies but all sharing in a common death—a sort of spiritual My-Lai.

There is the person you hoped to be —and the actual person that you are.

The ideal parents you wished you had—and the parents you have.

The country and world you expected—and the one you now live in.

The perfect “happily ever after” marriage you dreamed of —and the marriage and spouse you have.

The wonderful career and wealth you dreamed of having—and the job and bank account you have.

The perfect Church and perfect Christians you thought would be there—and the imperfect Church filled with imperfect Christians —like you.

The God you defined for yourself — and the one who defines Himself and has not and will not change, just as His Word will not change.

Something needs to die: The dream. The ideal. The wishful thinking.

None of those were ever real—just in your mind with no basis in reality.

We can live in a fantasy world of your own imagination; live endlessly in expectation—some day, some way, some time, some how…

What shall we do? Toss away all that is not ideal? Disconnect from all the imperfect Christians? Quit your job? Get a divorce? Disconnect from church and blame God? Drink your troubles away? Be full of hate and jealousy? Blow up the world?

God’s message is —— you are accepted, on faith alone, so give those ideals a decent burial, and give the REAL a resurrection!

Work to make the world a better place through involvement.

Love and honor the husband or wife you have. Dedicate yourself to your marriage.

Apply yourself honestly and diligently to the work you have and try to better yourself for something better.

Get involved in your church. Excite others by your faith.

Sow into your families, your children.

Forgive grievances. Be merciful.

Sow seeds of righteousness.

Let go of what was, what may never be— vain and fantasy imagining, wishful thinking, egoistic ventures, unreasonable expectations, jealousy, and self-hate and hate of others. Bury all of that.

 Jesus! He’s the Real Thing!