Miss Me?

Hello Emmanuel,

Did you miss me?  I know 3 of you did.  For those of you who didn’t notice, I did not type an MMP last Monday.  It was Labor Day.  I was resting.

Aside from the fact that at least 3 people read this, I truly like typing the MMP.  I would probably do it even if no one read it.  It’s a form of journaling that I used to do way back in my college days… back when we used paper and pencils.

But I was resting.  It felt appropriate the day after I preached about Holy Rest.  It was a good day..

So perhaps you missed me and perhaps you didn’t.  I’m okay with it either way.  My ego isn’t so big that I would be appalled that you wouldn’t miss me (though my wife and my counselor is convinced I have narcissistic tendencies.  I’m not sure whose opinion bothers me more).  And my ego isn’t so small that I would be shocked if you missed me.  The fine line between humility and self-confidence is one I walk most days.  If clergy were honest, they would all say the same thing.  If they don’t, then I’d watch out for them.

So if you missed me, then I appreciate that.  Feeling missed is a good feeling.  It means I have a significant place somewhere in the expectations of your day.  Consider who else you might miss.  Certainly there are those we miss that have passed on from this life.  But are there others who you miss who have not?  Have you told them that you miss them?  Why not?

Letting know someone is missed is a form of love.  It lets them know that they are accepted and even expected to be a part of your life.  And since we are made to be in community and not isolated, feeling missed gives us a sense that we are doing what we are made to do. 

Sometimes church doesn’t do a good job of this.  It isn’t always someone’s fault, especially when church grows and multiplies.  There are various reasons why someone would not be missed on any given week.  However, I invite you to be observant of your surroundings, whether it be in worship, small groups, outreach events, etc.  Do you miss anyone?  Will you let them know?

Another aspect of missing people is knowing people.  While not every one of us seeks out numerous relationships to establish and nurture, the more people you know, the more likely it will be that you miss others…. And others will miss you.  While the church can do it’s best to connect with you, nothing can beat you making the effort to connect with others.

And when we love one another we will miss one another when there is an absence. 

Does God miss you?

God is Good,

Pastor Joe