Defying Gravity

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” (Matthew 19:21-22)

Many of us want to experience the significance of blessing others, but feel trapped by past decisions, and misled by a society that bombards us with messages about the need to “have more” and “have better.”  The good news is that Jesus offers us a way to defy this pull and break free from the culture of “more”!

To equip us for this task, during the month of October, McKendree UMC will be celebrating a church wide stewardship journey called “Defying Gravity.” Each Sunday, we’ll explore aspects regarding the “gravity” of the cultural obsession with “more” and “better,” and examine Jesus’ remedy for “defying” it:  a generous life.  We’ll learn what the Bible says that is, why it brings people joy, and why it can be so hard to experience. 

There will also be exercises and challenges to help us all to consider how to actually achieve it through a proper understanding of, and relationship with, money and possessions.  One of these opportunities will be a community-wide Clothing Drive October 13-20 — please mark your calendar now and start setting aside your gently-used clothing that you can donate.  It will all culminate with a Celebration Sunday on October 27.

I pray that you’ll join me and your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ during the month of October as we explore what it means to “Defy Gravity” and reach the potential that’s within each of us to become the people and church that God wants us to be!  For more information, visit www.mckendreeumc.org/defying-gravity.  Remember, God  loves you and I do, too!