Sermon 06-22-08

Given by: Liz Swann, Lay Reader of Trinity Church

As I was reviewing the readings for today, I was trying to listen very intently on what topic it was that God was leading me to share with you. I was initially struck by Abraham. Maybe because I’m a mom and I have sons – and can’t imagine being in the position Abraham was put in. Here in Genesis 21 God instructs Abraham to obey Sarah in her insistence that he cast out the slave Hagar and Ishmel, the son that they bore together. Abraham is faithful and trusting. And then in Genesis 22 when Abraham is again tested by God in his sacrifice of Isaac on the altar - Pretty distressing for any parent. But, wow, what a faithful and obedient servant!

But as Tommy and I continued to discuss this one evening it became clear to me that today’s message was not going to focus on Abraham faithfulness, that was too obvious – but instead on the well of water that God provided Hagar and her son. Okay – you’re thinking – this is going to be a long 3 weeks without Meredith and what message can she possibly take from a well of water!

How often do we pray for something, we open our eyes and it’s in front of us? I don’t know about you, but that’s not a daily occurrence for me. I don’t know of a time in my life that I have prayed for anything and there has been such an instantaneous, direct, concrete answer to my prayers. After praying I have felt a peace, knowing that God heard me and I trusted they would be answered. My prayers tend to be answered in time and in round about ways. But never has a well appeared in front of me – even when I thought I couldn’t go another step without it. As many of you know my boys are both very active in scouting. About 5 years ago the three of us decided to participate in a scouting weekend in West Virginia to bike an old rail to trail bike trail. It was only 5 miles and although I’m not the most athletic person, I felt like I could probably handle it. What I didn’t realize was that I would be biking on gravel and it was all uphill – ever so slightly, but nonetheless all uphill! There was no where to pull off and get a drink, no restroom facilities, and there was no way I could have taken enough water with me – it must have been 100 degrees that day! I also found out just how uncomfortable even the softest bike seat can be! I didn’t think I could go another revolution on the bike. I was praying for water – a well appearing would have been nice, but even a raindrop would have sufficed! Neither happened for me.

A well of water - a ram provided in the thicket for an offering – God doesn’t seem to answer to me in those ways. He’s much more subtle at least with me. It reminds me of a story – many of you may have heard this. A flood is approaching – how appropriate with the weather the Midwest has had – and the townspeople are encouraged to evacuate their homes. A man and his wife don’t heed the warning and stay behind. After all they are God-fearing people and are sure that God will take care of them. As the water begins to rise there is a knock at the door urging them to evacuate. Again, they don’t heed the warning. After all, they are God-fearing people and are sure that God will take care of them. The water continues to rise and they are forced to the second floor of their home. A lifeboat comes to rescue them. They refuse. After all, they are God-fearing people and are sure that God will take care of them. As the water rises yet again, they are forced to the roof of their home and a helicopter now comes to their rescue. Again, they refuse, assured that God will take care of them. Well the water rose, their home was destroyed and their lives were lost. As they get to the pearly gates, they are rather bewildered and ask God – “We trusted and knew you would take care of us. What happened? Where were you?” And God replied – I tried 3 times, but you didn’t listen. I sent the knock at the door, the lifeboat and the helicopter! How often are our prayers answered- but not quite the way we were expecting?

I don’t think any of you would disagree that in this text the well of water was a direct answer to Hagar’s prayer. This was pretty obvious – it wasn’t just a coincidence that a well appeared in the middle of the wilderness. I don’t believe God woke up that morning and said “I think I’ll put a well of water in the wilderness today” and it happened to be in the exact spot at the exact time that Hagar prayed. That was an intentional answer to her prayer. But what do you think people said to Hagar or thought about her when she got back to town and said “You know, my son and I were in the wilderness and my son was just about to die, I prayed and I opened my eyes and there appeared a well of water in front of me and here we are.”? People probably thought she had a little too much sun, hallucinations, dehydration, maybe just crazy. It would be difficult for many people to fathom that a well of water just appeared before her – although we know that God is capable of that because he did and it’s recorded in Genesis 21. Similarly if you’re driving through La Plata and have a tire blow out – it would be really difficult for you to try to convince people that you got out, prayed, kicked the tire and it was repaired. It’s much easier to rationalize that there was a very kind gentleman that was driving behind you, saw what happened and assisted you in the repair of your tire. Was that just coincidence? I would prefer to believe that God had a hand in that and many of the other “coincidences” in our lives. I’m sure each of you can think of a time or two that someone or something came along at just the right time – whether is was someone that assisted you when you were in a bind, or when that extra overtime or really big sale came through when money was tight and you just didn’t know how you were going to make it, or maybe someone sent you a note or called you for absolutely no reason when you were just feeling a little on the down side, or maybe – better yet- a young person with piercings and tattoos offers a gesture of kindness, such as holding a door or offering a smile when you needed some reassurance in those “kids of today”. I believe that God provides each of these situations for us.

Not only does he provide these situations for us, he calls us to serve. For through serving others, we serve him. In Matthew 25:35 Jesus says “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” We are provided opportunities for serving every day, within our church, our family, our community and our world. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that service is the theme of our VBS this year!

So now you’re sitting there thinking – she’s turned the pages several times, she’s getting a little long-winded. It’s time to pull it all together Liz. How does the well of water tie into all this? Well, I believe that WE are all wells of water. That God uses each of us either knowingly or unknowingly to fulfill and answer prayers on his behalf. I believe that God puts us in positions to be able to be wells to others. The prayer of St. Theresa reads:

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are borne of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. I can’t explain to you why Tommy and I drove to Dahlgren on a snowy Wednesday afternoon and were able to assist a young boy that had driven up under a tractor trailer, whose face had gone partially through the windshield and ended up in the passenger seat. I can assure you that prayers were extended for him as it took rescue personnel over 45 minutes to respond. I believe we were his well of water. I can’t explain to you why we were driving down 234 about 9pm on a Saturday night. It was dark and had started to rain and passed a young girl walking and crying. She had been dumped on the side of the road by her boyfriend who told her to put out or get out. She was from the west side of the county and had no idea even where she was. I can’t help but believe that God heard her cries and provided us as her well of water. I’m sure each of you can share situations where God provided you as wells of water for someone. Things happen for reasons and God puts us in places for reasons. Sometimes we may not always understand why we are on the receiving or giving end of it, but rest assured, confident that God knows why and wants you to be there!

As you leave here today, remember St. Theresa’s Prayer. And when you encounter a situation, remember that God calls us to serve and you may very well be the water in the well for someone that’s very thirsty.

Amen