Pastor Speaks - January 11, 2001

When Winston Churchill planned his funeral he included a bugler, positioned high in the dome of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in England. After the benediction the bugler played "Taps," signaling that the service was over. But, Churchill also included a surprise at the end of the service. In another location, high in the dome, was a second bugler. When the first bugler had finished playing "Taps" the second bugler played "Reveille." It was time to get up and get going. Winston Churchill’s testimony was that history would end not with "Taps", but with "Reveille."

No matter how glorious the past has been there is always something new that can take its place. Normally we want to hold on to the past, therefore lamenting over the "good ole days." Only by letting go, yes, even dying, can something new and better take its place. This is the Principle of the Resurrection.

Before Jesus could be resurrected, he had to die. There could be no new life, eternal life, without the end of the old life. Jesus could not be fully known in the future without the experience of the cross. He died rejected and defeated, but arose, in glory and victory. Just as Winston Churchill surprised the people of his time with "Reveille," Jesus surprised the people of his time with the resurrection. There is a new beginning. Death did not have the last word.

The Principle of the Resurrection applies to all of life. For me, ending my career in the Navy paved way for my career in ministry. Leaving my hometown and moving to new and different places provided me with new friends and opportunities. When part of us or even all of us dies, we are reborn, recreated into something new.

After living in Sidney for ten years it is obvious to me that things are changing. For example, what used to be considered "Down town" is no longer the heart of the community. The center of the community is now Vandemark Road and State Route 47. Many folks are resisting this change but it is gradually evolving. What used to be the "down town" will never be what it was in the past. There can be no doubt that the new center of commerce and community has migrated to the West near Interstate 75.

But while some have resisted this phenomenon others have embraced at least one change that is essential. Last fall, our community was blessed through the wisdom of the voters who approved the building of a new middle school. A slim majority of people were willing to let go of the past and pave the way for new life. In two years a new school will be created while an old one will be torn down.

I believe there are some idealogical changes our community could make that would benefit everyone. Sidney needs to be more than just a place to work. It needs to be a place to 'live." That means the addition of quality restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Also, the acceptance of a diverse population would replace the current "clanism" (where families keep to themselves and resist the inclusion of people who are from other places). I would also include the elimination of patriarchal models in our insitutions and corporations. In other words, women need to be elevated into positons of leadership and receive equal benefits.

To change directions, to terminate old habits, to let go things we are used to, shakes us up. It is never easy. Changes in careers, changes in lifestyles, changes in relationships all require a struggle. That is where our faith in God enables us to survive the falling timbers and title waves that we encounter. Resurrection is possible for all of us at any time in our lives. When we can "die" or "let go" and make new choices anything is possible. No doubt there will be some rocky moments. One thing we can be sure of is that periods of instability are part of the process but in the end newness can occur.

The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that God is powerful enough to help us overcome any obstacle or "dead end" we encounter. If we go down a wrong path in life and find ourselves miserable or failing, we have the choice to turn in a different direction. The freedom to choose is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. Any path that is leading us to self-destruction can be changed to wholeness. Those who are recovering from an addiction know that by remaining in a state of sobriety they have chosen a new path, thereby saying "good bye" to the old one. Death to the old life makes their new life possible.

Try as we do we still make mistakes. Since we are human it is not possible for us to make all the right decisions. We are simply not in control of all the factors that influence us. The resurrection of Jesus also reminds us of God’s forgiveness. God always gives us another chance. God is a forgiving God, wanting us to continue our life’s journey with hope and newness. Without God’s forgiveness we are paralyzed, trapped, dead. With God’s forgiveness we are reborn, resurrected, alive.

God reassures us that in the process of dying and rising, God is present. We are never alone. Even Jesus wasn’t alone when he died. There were two thieves, one on either side of him. And when he arose from the dead there were "many saints" who were raised with him. Condemned men died, saintly people were resurrected. Thus the Principle of the Resurrection.

Dr. Keith Wagner
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Sidney, Ohio