May the mumbling commence!
What do we do to recognize the gifts of people that we have grown up with? We have to make a concerted effort to recognize the gifts of our neighbors and family members and church family. It is all too easy to miss God’s gifts in those closest to you. You have known many of them since they were snot-nosed babies.
Jesus knew this hometown affect well. Read about the struggle that Jesus had in his own hometown. Read from Luke chapter four:
And now Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, - and news of him spread through all the surrounding district. He taught in their synagogues, to everyone's admiration.
Then he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and, according to his custom, went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read the scriptures and the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book and found the place where these words are written – 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord'.
Then he shut the book, handed it back to the attendant and resumed his seat. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed upon him and he began to tell them, "This very day this scripture has been fulfilled, while you were listening to it!"
Everybody noticed what he said and was amazed at the beautiful words that came from his lips, and they kept saying, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
So he said to them, "I expect you will quote this proverb to me, 'Cure yourself, doctor!' Let us see you do in your own country all that we have heard that you did in Capernaum!" Then he added, "I assure you that no prophet is ever welcomed in his own country.” (Verses 14-24)
How do we respond when someone that we have grown up knowing says something beautiful and true? Do we treat that beauty and truth with respect, or do we mumble about who the person is? You know, “I watched that kid in the nursery. I changed the kid’s dirty diapers. How could so-and-so’s child amount to anything?”
It is no wonder to me that many young adults choose colleges safely away from their hometowns. People want to be viewed without their history and family baggage contorting the views of their teachers and peers. People want a fair chance to develop their God-given gifts without people pre-judging them.
I wish it wasn’t true – gifts being unacceptable to hometown people. But it is. I believe it is part of the reason for the mass exodus of grown children from the congregations of their childhoods.
So how can we create an environment safe for our own children to excel and try out their wings with their God-given talents? I do not think it is often because we cannot see those gifts. Indeed, Jesus’ hometown people saw his gifts very well. The better question is how do we give voice to our observations without being condescending or coddling?
We have to open space in our lives so that the youth of our congregations can serve us. Yes, we need to be served by the youth at least as often as we serve the youth. We need to be genuine in our words and body language and tone. Youth can detect a sham from a mile away. We need to see youth as our equals and treat them that way.
Then we can open up pathways for ministry between the generations. Pathways will open opportunities for everyone to serve as God intended them to. Pathways will open opportunities for learning to happen across generations.
There are enough pressures keeping young adults from staying connected with their home congregations. We do not need another factor to drive away people that are vital to the lifeblood of any church body.
Let us recognize the beautiful words of our closest family. Let us express that recognition with genuine gratitude to those who serve us in ways that we did not expect. God will smile, and we will begin to tear down the dividing walls between those God has gifted and their home communities.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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