No Matter Where You Go

for Sunday, June 10, 2012
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Proper 5
lectionary focus: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
note: I’m using 2 Corinthians 5:1 to focus on the general traveling and moving around of summer vacation, but keep this sermon in mind when you have those in your congregation who move ‘away.’

Welcome to Summer!

Summer is a great time for doing different things. There are changes in the schedule and lots of moving around. Some days you’re at home; some days you’re at the pool or lake. Or maybe you go to your grandparents’  or cousins’. Maybe you go to spend-the-night camp. Your family may go on vacation, staying in hotels or camping in a tent. Summer is a great time for moving and around visiting other people and places. And these adventures help us to see different parts of God’s world.

But what about home? It sure is nice after a visit or trip to come home. Home to sleep in our bed and play with our toys and in our yard. And not just our home where we stay, but here to our church home, or where we go to school, or go grocery shopping. Home to the places that are familiar and known.

But what if things change completely? What if we move to a new town or a new house or a new school? What if we change to a different home? That sounds a bit scary.

Our Bible story today is another one of those “Fear Not!” stories. We are reminded that no matter where we live, no matter where we are–we are at home with Jesus. There is a true saying: No matter where you go, there you are. But there is an equally true saying: No matter where you go, there is God.

So this summer–and always–when you move around and change where you are staying, know that God has made a home for you, a home made of His eternal love. Wherever you are, you are home with Him.

Will you pray with me? (This is an echo prayer: the leader says a line and the children repeat it back.)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for my home.
Thank You
that no matter where I am
I am home with You.
Amen

We are not Christians alone.
My mission is to share, inspire, and encourage.