10th Sunday after Pentecost - August 14th, 2022
Lesson "What Gets Done Gets Measured" - Read Genesis 11:1–9
So far in our summer series, "to change your world," you need to:
a. Change your mind and harness hope for the world and its people.
b. Do not underestimate the value of small positive changes... become a possibilist!
c. Accept the idea that "we all need one another" as a fact of progress.
d. Make and accept the invitation to get on the same page with those who harness hope.
e. Better to live by internalized principles [values] than by a good strategy.
f. Transformation happens one table at a time. Join those near you!
This weekend, we will explore the idea that to change the world, we must measure our results, and we must do it objectively--with a firm foundation. See, many people evaluate their actions or organization's activity by "how-they-feel" which is a constant variable rather than using a firm foundation. The more consistent the source is, the better you can measure the results and their impact on the community and the world.
Consider the story of the people that settled in Babylonia's land. (Genesis 11:1-9) They were leaders who "felt good" about who they were and "felt good" about what they could do together as if they were genuinely self-sufficient. If you read the scripture, you will see that they were capable of building a great city "For Ourselves" (And other great things, I am sure) with a tower that reaches into the sky, like a ruler, to display their success. With the goal of being famous and "Keep Themselves Pure" from being scattered worldwide; however, God did not see this as a good thing or doing good. It was self-serving, and it was about self-gratification.
These people made self-satisfaction their priority, which was the main issue God had against them. Furthermore, know that self-serving people have no place in this world, and they reckon with God's righteousness just like the merchant witnessed the righteousness of Jesus in the temple. (Matthew 21:12-13)
Today God is calling us to wake up from the distraction of our reflection. We might not get it; however, God scattered them all over the world with infinite love and wisdom because the people were foolish by measuring only what gave them pleasure. So today, instead of paying attention to your self-made towers, pay attention to Martin Luther King Jr., who asks, "Life's most persistent and urgent question [is] 'What are you doing for others?'" and it is these kinds of question that will guide us to change our world. Today God calls us to measure things... (Don't be afraid, and remember to give thanks!) and to measure them according to the Love of God, which is the lasting, everlasting constant source. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
