GOING
FORWARD
DEUTERONOMY
34.1-9
OCTOBER
26, 2008
WESLEY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Douglas
Norris
Moses
stood on the top of Mt. Nebo and gazed at the Promised Land. What
must have gone through his mind, what emotions he must have
experienced as he gazed at the fulfillment of his life’s work.
However, he knew he was dying; he knew he would not have the joy and
privilege of actually putting his feet on the hallowed ground. The
Lord said to him, “I will give it to your descendants; I have let
you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”
For 40 years Moses worked with the bickering, griping, former slaves.
He led them out of Egypt; he rescued them from slavery. For 40
years, he waited until he felt they were ready to assume possession
of the Promised Land. Now, they were ready, but he couldn’t go.
Moses died, without enjoying the completion of his life’s work. He
saw the Promised Land but he couldn’t go there.
Even
though he couldn’t go, he urged his people to go forward without
him. He recruited and trained his successor. Joshua would assume
leadership.
This
is a message about transition, about going forward, leaving the past,
and moving on. The transition from Moses to Joshua began with 30
days of mourning. Deuteronomy 34.8, “The Israelites wept for Moses
in the plains of Moab thirty days.”
Wesley
Church is also going forward. We are on the edge of a new adventure.
We have an opportunity to purchase the adjoining property, and we
are currently brainstorming ways to use the property for ministry--
ministry to families, to children and youth. We are on the edge,
looking from the mountain. Can you see? Can you catch a glimpse of
the future?
We
are also on the edge of receiving a new senior pastor. We are in
transition. I was sent as an interim to help with the transition
from Mariellen to Keith. The transition, however, lasted more than
30 days! But, the end is in sight, and we rejoice in the coming of
the Inouyes.
It
is interesting how the ancients knew the wisdom of taking time for a
transition. In the United Methodist system, a pastor leaves a church
on one Sunday, and the new one appears the next. One week for the
transition! No wonder a change of pastors is often disruptive,
chaotic and difficult. The need for a period of grieving is ignored.
3,000 years ago our ancestors knew more than the United Methodist
Church!
Dr.
Maxwell Maltz wrote the bestseller Psycho-Cybernetics.
Originally a Plastic Surgeon, he noticed that it took 21 days for
amputees to cease feeling phantom sensations in the amputated limb.
From further observations he found it took 21 days to create a new
habit. He called it the '21 day' phenomenon. The human mind takes
21 days to adjust to a major life change, whether it's the loss of a
limb or the death of a loved one, a change of employment or
residence, or entering into a new romantic relationship. It takes 21
days to get used to a new idea. So, men, give her time! Don’t
rush her!
Brain
circuits take time to adjust. Our brain does not accept new data
unless it is repeated, bombarded each day for 21 days (without
missing a day).
According
to this theory, to make a change, to make a transition, devote 15
minutes a day to the formation of any habit you wish to establish,
and do this faithfully for 21 days. By the fourth week, it should
actually be harder not to engage in the new behavior than it would be
to continue doing it.
For
example, think of a change you would like to make—exercising, or
praying, or improving your self-image. Improving your self-image
might mean setting aside 15 minutes a day to reflect. Remind
yourself that you were created by the Creator, redeemed by Jesus and
powered by the Holy Spirit. Remind yourself that you are somebody,
someone significant, a child of God, a disciple of Jesus. Wow!
Reflect on Paul’s affirmation in Philippians 4.13, “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.” All things. Consider
what you will be facing that day, and imagine yourself acting with
confidence.
According
to this theory, do it for 15 minutes a day, for 21 days. For
example, if you want to establish the habit of praying, it helps to
pray at the same time every day, perhaps wear the same clothes,
assume the same posture, and in the same location. Some folks set
aside a room or a corner with pictures and a candle.
In
order to retrain the brain, it is very important, according to the
theory, to not miss a day. If you miss a day, keep going until
you've been doing the new behavior for 21 days in a row.
Well,
you’ve had more than 21 days to make the transition from one pastor
to the other. And, you will have more than 21 days to let your brain
adjust to the possibility of acquiring the neighboring property.
Note
how the Israelites went forward. First, they took 30 days to let go
of Moses. They took time to let go of how Moses did things so that
they would be ready to embrace the new leadership of Joshua.
Secondly,
the Lord prepared Joshua for his new role. The Lord told Joshua in
Joshua 1.5-9, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will
not fail or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…being careful to
act in accordance with the law….do not turn from it to the right
hand or to the left, so that you may be successful where you go.
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall
meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in
accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make
your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby
command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The
Lord prepared Joshua. And Joshua took courage, probably with
butterflies in his stomach, with jittery nerves. But, with
confidence Joshua took charge, vs. 10-11, “Then Joshua commanded
the officers of the people, ‘Pass through the camp, and command the
people: Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross
over the Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land that the
Lord your God gives you.”
Therefore,
people of Wesley, as you consider the Soko Hardware property, prepare
your provisions, pray for guidance, make your master plan, and raise
the money. Cross over the Jordan River, walk across the property
line, and take possession of the land the Lord your God gives you.
The
new pastor begins his ministry on January 1. As with Joshua, the
Lord is preparing Keith. Keith, be strong and courageous. Meditate
on God’s word. Then, like Joshua, you shall make your way
prosperous and you shall be successful.
And
congregation, get ready. In my column in the recent newsletter, I
provided suggestions on how to receive Keith and Viki. Many of you
told me you found the column helpful. If you did not receive the
newsletter, there are copies of my article on the table in the
narthex.
In
addition to the newsletter suggestions, let me add three more:
1)
Embrace. With open arms and open hearts, welcome the Inouyes. I
know you will because you welcomed Eleanor and me with open arms, and
you didn’t even know us. And, I'm not Japanese!
2)
When Keith or a committee presents a new idea, or suggests a change,
the first response is usually “No.” Hold the “No” off for 21
days! Let the brain deal with the new material. Then, if your
response is still “No”, be prepared to present your thoughtful,
prayerful reasons. If your response is “Yes,” embrace it and
offer your help.
3)
Most important of all, as you receive a new pastor, undergird Keith
and Viki with prayer. Pray daily for your pastors. Pray daily for
our church. Prayer works wonders. Prayer prepares the way. They
will appreciate and feel the support of your prayers.
Finally,
to quote Joshua, “Prepare your provisions; get ready to cross over
the Jordan into the Promised Land.”
|