Prioritising

Sunday July 24, 2011. 6th Sunday after Pentecost. 17th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 29:15-28. Ps. 128 or 105:1-11,45a-b. Rom. 8:26-39. Matt. 13:31-33,44-52.
There is a wide range of variation for the lectionary readings today depending on whose version of the Revised Common Lectionary you use. (see here for example)


We continue our Theme for this Mission Month


Anyone who has participated in planning discussions
either about their own life and future
or about new directions for a group such as an organisation, company or church
will know that you get to a point
where you almost always
begin to feel that you are drowning
under the weight of ideas.

The problem about future decisions
more often seems to be
choosing what to do
rather than not having any ideas
at all

It is into this sort of scenario that Jesus speaks the story about the merchant who finds a pearl of great value
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity
and he knows that he needs to take the opportunity now
or risk losing it.

Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like this.

We see an example of Jacob having a very straightforward understanding
of what God's kingdom might be like in his life.
A good marriage...he has spied his pearl of great price
in the woman Rachel
and we note from this story
That this pearl does not just fall into his lap
but requires his work
and his commitment.

Maybe this is a point at which we often fall down.
Even though we may be sure of what it is that God wants
we need to not just assume that it will fall into our lap
and that we need to do nothing.
Jacob's story reminds us also
that things may not always go according to plan
but it is the singleminded resolve
which becomes a dynamic.

While we can often see a range of good things
the kingdom of heaven requires that we make some evaluation
of what it is we must ultimately pursue..

Mission
How does this translate into action?
Whether as a community
or as individuals
at some point we need to think carefully
about what it is that we have to pursue
as our number one priority.
There is no shortage of ideas
but we do have limited resources
and limited time
we may also have limited opportunity.

Mission will require that we are focussed
and have decided what our priority is.
What is Number One on our list.

One of the reasons, I suspect,
that we are dissipated
is because we don't do the work required to make this sort of choice.
Preferring rather to puddle along
and perhaps hope that issues might disappear and problems go away.

The second little story

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad

reminds us that we actually need to do some sifting;
at the very least it is separating
the good from the bad
and worthwhile from the worthless

THIS WEEK


What are my life's priorities? When I have to make choices what are the principles that I use about what is important?


Does this give me some insight into choices I am presently faced with?


How does this same type of process speak to the Church today? Where does the Spirit invite us put our energies.

LORD, there is no shortage of ideas 

but sometimes I need to choose.

Help me to choose according to your will and your way. 

Show me the right priorities. 

Today and every day.