Memories of Life
Travis Carlson (RYC Adult)
First Christian Church in Cyril

When I was growing up my mother would talk about those important moments in time that she could clearly recall where and when she was.  I would say “Sure mom.”  and keep on doing the stuff I thought was important.  As I grew older one of those moments happened to me.  I was in seventh grade sitting in the school office waiting to be picked up because I was sick.  When over the radio I heard that the first teacher who was going to space had died in the Shuttle Challenger explosion.  It was a huge blow because we had been following her story on the news and in the paper since she was chosen.   I can see this scene to this very day. Sometime those places we go in our minds hurt, and sometimes they give us that warm feeling, and other times just make us so proud to be a Follower of the Way.

One of the greatest moments in my life and great memory was the General Assembly in Kansas City.  My partner and I went because I was pastoring the Hobart First Christian Church.  We arrived and checked-in to our hotel and grabbed a shuttle over to the event center.  When we got there, however, a group of people were outside of our bus stop with vulgar signs and saying very hurtful words to all us as we walked in.  This was my first time as an adult I had ever seen a protest live against the LGBTQ+ community.  I was mortified and angry that people could act that way toward friends of mine.  Why would someone do something like this?  How could I respond and not get thrown in jail?  You also have to remember that this is when people were very hateful and used degrading remarks just walking down the streets. This went on for a couple of days.  I felt a level of hurt that I didn’t understand.

The next night after dinner was worship, and there they were again.  Same signs and same foul things spewed forth and same mean spirit.  After worship I walked back outside to get a breath of fresh air… and this is what I saw.  Several youth groups from around the nation were standing in a line outside singing “Jesus Loves You” back at the people across the street.  They did this for a long time.  They were the ones that created this moment that sustains me in my walk with the Spiritual.  The next day the angry mob had left, and it was beautiful to see the way the assembly from my point of view became a community of believers.  We are made in love and in an image of wondrous light.

Just as I am finishing this post on February 14th (Valentines Day, Ash Wednesday), we had another school shooting in our country.  Several people were killed in Parkland, Florida.  Also some adults sacrificed their lives so others might be saved.  As an employee of a school system in Oklahoma, my heart breaks for those involved.  As I sat in Ash Wednesday service tonight, I reflected on the story I was telling in this post and on the frailty of life itself.  This jarred me awake and realize it must start with me, no, with us.  We must take a stand and step out in love.  We must be those young people standing on the sidewalk singing until we are heard.  Are we going to stop it all? Well, no, but we can make a difference in our own way.  

So as we journey to the Cross, I implore you to look through your life at the injustices you may have seen.  Gaze upon your present with a eye of kindness. Look to the future for the ways you can show The Holy to all of those around you. We are all called to follow the way of Jesus.  He didn’t just stay in the shadows.  He was present in the lives of the oppressed, those stepped upon by society, and those who needed to experience unconditional love.  Be the people who sing songs of love against the evil sights and sounds of hate.

This following verse reminds me be brave and to step out.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)*

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel: “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it.  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

*New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.