Sacred

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

With these words, the President concluded his speech on that Saturday morning long ago. He was being sworn into office for the second time, having won a landslide election because the course of the war had turned in his country’s favor.

As the day’s ceremonies came to a close, he exited the platform and entered the inaugural reception feeling confident about the words he had delivered. But, one man’s opinion mattered to him most of all.

He had seen his friend in the gallery, listening intently to his words as they escaped into the pages of history.

…What would Fred think?

“Fred” was having some trouble making his way through security. As an invited guest of the President, he attempted to enter the reception, only to be stopped and held in custody on two different occasions.

No person of color had ever attended a presidential affair, much less at the personal invitation of the President himself. “Tell Mr. Lincoln that Fred Douglass is at the door,” he yelled to a guest.

Within a few moments, he found himself face-to-face with “Honest Abe.”

“Douglass…” said the President, “there’s no man’s opinion I value more than yours, what do you think of it?”

With many well-wishers crowding in, and many more waiting for their moment with Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas felt the need to give a quick word that would somehow communicate the depth of his feeling for the speech The President had given.

“Mr. Lincoln,” he said, “It was a sacred effort.”

Fast-forward almost 141 years to find this pastor on the couch, comfy, basking in the glory of some much-needed President’s Day time off. I was watching as the true story you just heard unfolded before me, trickling down through the decades via television documentary.

I really hadn’t thought much about our Presidents this past Monday. I’d taken care of errands that had been put off. I’d tried to catch up on the tv shows that have been sitting on our DVR since before Christmas. I’d been generally, wonderfully, worthless for the day.

Then, I was caught flat-footed by this amazing encounter from our history. Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, one on one. Two of our greatest Americans, catching a quick word at a cocktail party. Two of our greatest orators and statesmen, one elbowing the other to say, “Well, did I do ok?” It’s an amazing moment to glimpse, but even more amazing was Douglass’ response.

"It was a sacred effort."

I don’t think there’s a much higher compliment any of us could ever hope for.
If something is sacred, it carries an element of the holy. It is set apart for a particular purpose, somehow giving reverence and honor to God himself.

"It was a sacred effort." If our epitaphs are one day bound up by that simple statement, how blessed we would truly be.

But what are the odds that any of us will ever give a first, much less second, inaugural address?

Not real good.

What are the odds that we will ever issue an “emancipation proclamation” or preserve the Union, or write great works of civil rights, or change the very fabric of our nation?

What does it take for something to be sacred?

Well, it doesn’t take greatness. It takes intention. It takes purpose. It takes faith.

Getting up and going to work tomorrow can be a sacred effort. Changing those diapers and making those bottles can be a sacred effort. Acts of patience and kindness for your aging parents are sacred efforts. Having that conversation, smiling at that child, boosting someone’s confidence, helping someone even just a little, all of it, is nothing less than sacred.

I am thankful for the great people who have gone before us. I am grateful for those who have led us in great and powerful ways, and for those who have become highly acclaimed and widely renowned for all that they have done.

But I’m also thankful for my childhood Sunday School teachers. I’m thankful for all the folks who were my coaches through my childhood, for my mentors, my family members, and for those who have shaped who I have been and am becoming.

I’m thankful for the folks who do their jobs, whatever they might be, with dedication and responsibility, even though no one will know their name or thank them for what they have given. I’m thankful for the infinite and sacred acts of life that are committed all around us, every single day.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

Tomorrow, let’s tell jokes. Let’s cry if we need to. Let’s help each other. Let’s pray. Let’s work. Let’s rest, and eat, and sleep and love and live the life that God calls us to, whatever it might be.

Whatever it is, we will do it for God, and so...it will be a sacred effort.

Grace + Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

Ready to pull some hamstrings and tear some rotator cuffs? That’s right, it’s softball season again!! We need all interested softball players to e-mail us at : sandi@sothumc.net a.s.a.p. so that we can begin putting together our roster and get registered in our local league. Depending on who is interested, we will be forming a men’s or co-ed team. All men and women are encouraged to play, with games beginning March 6th. Look for more info via SOTH e-mail tomorrow.