Love Your Enemies

Last week’s message touched a chord with many people.  I have had conversations with several people from our congregation who mentioned how life provided them with opportunities this week to “love their enemies.”  That didn’t happen because the message was powerful and poignant.  It happens because we are involved in relationships daily where we are tempted to seek retaliation and revenge, even if only mentally, rather than to “love people in spite of themselves.”  Take Kevin Wilkins for instance.  His story was reported in Wednesday’s issue of the Chicago Tribune.  

The article began:  “For more than five years, Kevin Wilkins waited for the opportunity to look the man who killed his teenage daughter in the eye and tell him about all the hate he felt for him.”  

Wilkins’ daughter, Antoinette Means, was 19 years old, had been the valedictorian of her high school class and had earned a four year full ride academic scholarship to college.  She was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken and managed many employees older than her.  One night a man entered the restaurant and asked for the cash...$130...someone said something to him, he was angered and fired a shot, killing Antoinette.  Senseless, tragic, and maddening...those are my reactions and I am not her dad.

This week Antoinette’s dad faced her killer.  “...when Wilkins started to speak, it wasn’t about hate or anger.  It was about something he felt was far more powerful.  ‘Antoinette would have forgiven you and so have I,’ Wilkins said calmly, ‘May God have mercy on your soul.’”

Wow...that is more powerful than anything I might have said in my sermon.  I can always rationalize why I can’t, or shouldn’t “love my enemies.”  “Certainly Jesus couldn’t mean in every situation.”  “This particular person makes it impossible.”  “Under these circumstances, I am sure Jesus would understand if I didn’t follow His command.”

Loving our enemies is like so many other of God’s expectations for us.  They seem impossible, or impractical, until we simply try obedience.  If we overcome our doubts and our rationalizations and simply act in obedience, we may be surprised at how God empowers us to behave in ways we never imagined were possible.  Obedience is the great equalizer.  It doesn’t have to make sense.  It doesn’t have to be practical.  It doesn’t require that I want to do it.  And it certainly isn’t predicated on whether or not I feel like being obedient.  

Acting in obedience can change all of that.  If you don’t think so, listen one more time to the great “preacher”, Kevin Wilkins:

“It’s been hard.  It has taken a long time, but I’ve finally been able to forgive him because that is what God says to do.  I’d have never been able to move on if I continued to hate him for what he did.”

Amen, Kevin, Amen.

This Sunday in worship at ECRC we will continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount.  Pastor Gregg will be preaching on Matthew 5:31-32. His message title is “The Real Marriage Ref.”  Maybe he’ll wear a striped shirt and a whistle?

           

Looking forward to seeing you all in worship.

                                                                                            

“Rev”

God is Colorful!

Rev’s Reflections

10-21-11

I am sitting in my office as I write my reflections today. I have big windows that face both North and West. My desk is situated in such a way that I can look in either direction. As I look out my window this morning, the sky is dark gray, the trees are blowing in the wind (supposedly gusting to 40 or 50 miles per hour) and the rain is falling...sideways. When I walked in from the parking lot this morning it was cold and damp. The raindrops felt like pellets when they struck my face. My technical word for a day like this is: “Yuuuuuuch”.

 

This weather stands in stark contrast to last week’s. On Saturday I drove back from Michigan in near blinding sunlight. It was windy and the temperature was only in the 50s, but it was fine inside my car, and God was putting on quite a show outside. Trees were turning color. The various hues of red, yellow, and orange and all shades in between, created a beautiful tapestry that was breathtaking. I found myself gaping on several occasions and not really paying attention to my driving, which may be how my speedometer inched closer to 80 than 70!

There are few man-made creations that can match the splendor of leaves turning in the fall. When people ask what I miss about Northern Michigan, fall would be one of my answers. Of course there was always a downside to fall. In Northern Michigan the turning of leaves was followed immediately by long, harsh, and snowy winters. That I won’t miss.

The beauty of creation and all it’s splendor are examples of what we call God’s common grace; God’s gifts that are available for all people to enjoy and benefit from regardless of their spiritual state. The splendor of fall colors seems to be God’s response to the Psalmists words: “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” (Psalm 66:1-2) Clearly the earth is shouting and singing to God’s glory and everyone, regardless of their faith perspective is taking notice.

It is harder for me to acknowledge God’s grace on a day like today. Cloudy, rainy, windy and dark days don’t inspire me. But God’s grace abounds.

I am surrounded by gifted, committed and highly motivated teammates at work who are energized by their opportunity to serve God and his people.

I am meeting new congregants daily who are encouraging and supportive of my initial efforts in ministry at ECRC.

I am part of a congregation that is making an impact for God on people of all ages. 

The Holy Spirit never fails to guide, direct and correct my life. (I just need to be a bit more attentive.)

 

Eternity is secured for me through my faith in Jesus Christ, which allows me to live boldly for him every day.

It may be cloudy, dark, rainy and windy outside, but I have every reason to celebrate God’s grace, mercy and love. I refuse to let the weather impact my attitude and my outlook on life. Yuuuuuuch be gone!

This week in worship we will continue our focus on The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus presents a huge challenge: “Love your enemies.” He really can’t mean that I have to root for the Packers can he?

Friends

Rev’s Reflections

10-14-2011

C.J. Wickersham looked into the camera with a big smile on his face and said, “He’s my friend. He saved my life” C.J. and a group of six friends had been out in a boat spear fishing near Tampa Bay, Florida. C.J. was in the water and suddenly yelled out, “I’ve been bitten by a shark.” Within seconds blood was in the water. His friends got him out of the water and rushed him to shore. By the time he got to the hospital he had lost over 6 pints of blood. But the quick action of his friends saved his life. Thus, the big smile into the camera.

I am going to see my long time friend Ray Smith tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. Our friendship has endured 40 years. It is has had some odd twists. My sophomore year of college, Ray became the head football coach at Hope. Ray made me a better player. Ray made me a better person. Most importantly, Ray made me take being a Christ follower more seriously. God used Ray to change my life.

When I returned to Holland to attend seminary after a year of teaching high school, Ray asked me to join his coaching staff at Hope. We spent countless hours together. I also worked in the Chaplain’s office at Hope and continued to do so for seven years. Ray and I were colleagues. His faith and his family were his number one priorities. He and his wife deeply cared about students and were instrumental in bringing others closer to Jesus as they had done for me.

In one of God’s great ironic twists, when I joined Hope’s Board of Trustees over 20 years ago, I, technically, became Ray’s boss! My trips to Holland for Board meetings always provide an excuse for us to get together. When the weather permits, we play golf together. He has visited every church I have ever served and we can expect to see he and his wife at ECRC some day.

Like C.J. Wickersham, I can smile and say that in some way, Ray Smith is my friend and he saved my life.

When we were created God declared that it was not good for us to be alone. We are not meant to do life alone. We need companions, friends, for the journey.

Jesus is our savior, Lord, rock, messiah, redeemer, defender, destroyer, and so much more. But in John 15, Jesus tells us that we are His friends. Jesus is our friend and He has saved our lives.

I am lucky to have a friend like Ray Smith. I could write a book of stories about the way he has demonstrated that he is my friend. I hope you have some really good friends. Not just people who laugh with you, support you and encourage you, but friends who also challenge you to be a better person and hold you accountable to live up to your declared identity.

But most importantly, remember that Jesus is our friend and He saved our life.

This week in worship at ECRC we will continue to make our way through Jesus’ Upside Down Thinking in the Sermon on the Mount. This week Jesus recommends a radical step for us to live into being one of His followers.

God bless,

Rev

Peter Semeyn

Michigan Drivers Cannot Be Trusted

Michigan drivers cannot be trusted!  

At least that’s the way we felt when Becky and I found out we were required to take a written test to get an Illinois Driver’s License. 

“Come on, I’ve been driving for over 40 years.  I’ve only lived in Michigan for 9 years…trust me, the driving laws aren’t that different.”  (One major difference,  however is that in the Chicago area you are dodging pedestrian traffic.  In Northern Michigan you are constantly dodging wildlife of all kinds!)  Jesse White’s employees were not very sympathetic.  We had to take a written test.

             
We didn’t have all the proper paperwork with us on our first visit, so we had to come back another day.  We took two of the Illinois Rules of the Road booklets with us. 

             
 I will confess that regardless how unnecessary I thought this test was for me, the requirement to take it planted seeds of doubt and uncertainty.  Studying the book didn’t boost my confidence.  Pages and pages of rules and regulations, many of them dealing with procedures at the scene of an accident, the number of people under age 18 a new driver can have as passengers, the penalty for driving while intoxicated.  In my mind, none of this was relevant for me. 

            
 How many feet before making a turn are you required to turn on your turn signal?  100 feet, 300 feet, or 500 feet?

            
 If your front tire goes off the road what should you do?  Stop, grip the wheel tightly, reduce speed and return to the road?  Close your eyes and pray?  (In Northern Michigan you just keep going off road and create a two track shortcut with  your four wheel drive vehicle!)

           
As a 40 year driving veteran, I feel like I know what I am doing behind he wheel.  I have had no accidents and no tickets.  But in reading the book, I found that my “common knowledge” and “common sense” didn’t always match the “Rules of the Road”.  The book recommended things that I don’t practice, and I thought were unnecessary.   In a few instances I do what makes sense to me and what I have always done, regardless of the book.

           
That’s not the only place that happens in life.  Many of the decisions we make, the values we adopt, the priorities we set, are our own adaptations from our guidebook (the Bible).  We have adopted practices and principles that seem to work for us,  and that appear to be harming no one else, but when we study the word and come to grips with what God really says, we find that we have been mistaken, and off course. 

             
My driving would be better and safer for everyone if I went by the book.  Our lives are more fulfilling, meaningful and productive, when we follow The Book!

            
This week in worship we will continue our journey in the Sermon on the Mount.  My lesson will be from Matthew 5:17-20.  Jesus came not to do away with the law, but to fulfill the law.

             
Looking forward to seeing you in worship.

            
 God bless,

 Rev

Traffic, Detours and Life Journeys

Rev’s Reflections

            It only takes between 10 and 15 minutes to get to church from our townhouse.  At least that is what it took for the first couple of weeks.  Then, apparently as a way to welcome the Semeyn’s to the Western suburbs, they began multiple road construction projects.  I would head to church in one direction and they would have that route shut down to one lane.  It would back up for miles.  Knowing this is a fact of life here, I simply resolved to take an alternate route.  I made great progress until I found more construction and delays…another detour.

The next day I tried another route. It worked great, until…you guessed it, more road construction.  There is a reason they call me “Rev” and not “Pastor Patience”. 

            I know this probably sounds like whining.  You are probably saying, “get used to it”.  The point isn’t to whine.  Remember, we lived here for 22 years prior to our stint in Michigan.  We know what is “normal” here for traffic and travel. 

            My experience with traffic is a metaphor for our life journey.  We set out on a path, we are headed in a direction, and suddenly hit an unexpected detour, a roadblock, or something that re-routes us.  I started out in college as a business major, and detoured to education.  I began my career as a teacher and took a detour to ministry.  I began ministry as a college chaplain and later was re-routed to congregational ministry. 

            Sometimes the things that re-route our lives are illnesses, or unexpected events, either tragic and joyful, or a situation completely out of our control, like an economic downturn, or a “chance” meeting of a person who ends up having a powerful influence on our lives. 

            Most often we don’t understand the barrier, or detours, that show up.  They can be frustrating, painful, difficult, and some can last way too long.  But later, they make more sense, we can find benefit in them, even “blessing”.  The Apostle Paul describes them as being productive. “… we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. “ (Romans 5:3-5)

            In the rear view mirror of life, we can see how productive the detours have been on our journey.  Changing majors, altering career paths, and moving into new ministry venues, were all difficult and brought with them some kind of pain and difficulty.  But later, looking back, I can see God’s loving hand in them, in spite of how it felt at the time.

            Detours and roadblocks can be frustrating in the moment, but with every change God points us in a new direction and brings us hope.  (Although the Apostle Paul never drove in Chicagoland!)

            This Sunday, I will begin my preaching ministry at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.  We are going to follow up Dr. Michael Quicke’s series on The Beatitudes by continuing to move through the Sermon on the Mount in a series we are calling “Upside Down Thinking”.  This week’s text is Matthew 5:13-16.  We will also celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  I encourage you to prepare yourselves to meet God in worship on Sunday. 

It was my custom in Traverse City to write a weekly communication to people where I would share some of the things that were on my heart and mind.  Borrowing a concept from Frederick Buechner entitled “Listening to Your Life”, I would use events, observations, situations, and circumstances, as a jumping off point for reflection.  People felt it gave them some more insight into who I am as a person, and how we might reflect on the world from a Christian perspective. 

          I plan to continue this practice here, but it may take a different format.  I am exploring a variety of options with people from Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, who are communications gurus.

          This Sunday, September 25, I will be installed as Lead Pastor at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.  For some it may seem like a formality, something that has ecclesiastical significance, but really doesn’t mean much.  However, the installation of a pastor in a church is very significant.

          In this case, it will be the first time in 27 years that a new Lead Pastor will be installed at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.  In this congregation, the installation of a pastor is a rare occurrence. This is a significant event.

          In keeping with our reformed tradition, the installation of a pastor embraces a covenantal concept.  I will make promises to God and to this congregation as to how I will serve as pastor.  In the same way, the congregation will make promises to me and to God as to how you will support, encourage and hold me accountable to be your pastor.  Over all of this God, promises to guide, protect, encourage and support all of us.  This covenant means that we will be partners in ministry, seeking together God’s will and direction.

          This installation will also incorporate some signposts on my ministry journey.  People who have been a part of my ministry in Oak Brook and Palos Heights will be participating as well as one of my children.  Their participation will remind me of God’s faithfulness in my life and ministry in the past, and encourage me to trust Him for the future.

          Being installed as the new Lead Pastor at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is a momentous occasion.  I am reminded of Joshua who became the leader of Israel following the long tenure of Moses.  Like Joshua, I have my doubts, my fears, and my concerns.  To which God replies, “...as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous...” (Joshua 1:5,6)

          New situations cause all of us to deal with doubt, fear, and a sense of inadequacy.  At the same time, there is also excitement and anticipation.  Are you facing something new in your life?  God says, “Be strong and courageous...I will never leave you or forsake you.” 

          I am truly excited to begin this new season of ministry with you with the knowledge that God will always be present with us, guiding, directing, encouraging and supporting us in all that we do.

"Rev"

Peter Semeyn