First Notes: Life Doesn't Always Make Sense

Dear First Baptist Family, 

For a lot of people, the world doesn’t make much sense right now. Politics, the economy, global affairs…it’s a long list. 

But just for fun this week, I’d like to recognize some lesser-known items in our culture that don’t make sense. For instance….

The word "abbreviated" is pretty long. For a word that means "to shorten," it sure didn't take its own advice. Meanwhile "long" is ironically short.

We park in driveways and drive on parkways. Whoever was in charge of naming these had one job and somehow did it completely backwards.

Silent letters. Why is there a "k" in "knife"? It's just sitting there doing absolutely nothing. The "p" in "receipt" is equally useless.

Saying "I slept like a baby" means you slept well. Have you met a baby? They wake up screaming every two hours, need someone to help them go back to sleep, and often have accidents. That's literally the opposite of sleeping well.

There’s a lot that just doesn’t make sense. Much of our lives fall into that category. The older I get, the less I seem to understand. 

I’m OK with that. I hope to mature in a way that comes with greater peace, love, and grace for myself and others. 

I also take comfort in the gospel of Jesus’ kingdom. As I have been preaching on the idea of “blessing” our neighbors, I was struck this week by how Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t often make sense. On the one hand, what He taught and practiced comprises the most logical, loving, and lasting way of life. On the other hand, it was completely upside-down from what most people expected. Jesus turned every human assumption on its head.

“The first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16, NIV).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the persecuted…” (Matthew 5:3–12, NIV).

"Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, NIV).

This is the opposite of how the world works. For the human mind, power, position, and payback make sense. But a kingdom where the humbled are exalted and the strong are weakened? That’s utter nonsense. Unless, of course, the true rules of reality come from somewhere beyond human comprehension.

Jesus came to proclaim a kingdom beyond our sight. He said that is the true nature of God’s creation, one that will ultimately be restored from all of the brokenness and dangers and disappointments that resulted from the fall of humankind. 

What can we do to experience more of that kingdom and see it grow? We make it our daily aim to “BLESS” others. Beginning with prayer for our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. Listening well to others to get to know their story. Eating together — that’s where conversation happens and friendships develop. Serving with love so the lives of others are improved. Sharing the story of Jesus and the difference He has made. 

It’s simple, right? But also kind of upside-down. It takes intentionally to not live for yourself, but for Christ and others. It means dying to yourself every day and living for Jesus. 

This week is Friends and Family Sunday. It's a great opportunity to put your faith into action. Plan to invite someone/a family (or more than one) to join us for worship and the fellowship meal to follow. All are welcome. Let’s pray God would give us a great time of gathering as we extend God’s circle of grace.

With love,

Pastor Brent McDougal