- We have come to the end of our retreat but it is not the end yet. Sonny said, “If it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.”
In “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” what did each character had to “let go” in order to be free:
Grahm—hidden sexuality and guilt that he abandoned and hurt his first love
Muriel—ignorance and racism; self-worth
Douglas—respectability and absolute loyalty
Jean—resentment, anger and self-pity
Evelyn—inferiority and loneliness
Norman—loneliness and physical doubt
Madge—self-absorption
Sonny—lunacy dreams and lack of confidence especially in the eyes of his mother
- What do we need to “let go?” These could be physical things as we shared on Sunday night—not used clothing, too many things, superficial collectibles, etc. These could be emotional things as we shared particularly through the movie: self-pity, lack of self-worth, troubled past, guilt, anger, unhappiness, etc.
Put this “let go” thing on this piece of paper. You might be able to be specific or you may still be unsure what that might be. For some of you, it may be as “present” as letting go of your job since retirement is around the bend. Put this “let go” paper in this bag and we’ll throw it away symbolizing that these things are now behind us and we are going forth.
Pray for the “let go” things for how they have served us in the past for good and for bad. But it’s now time to go forth.
- Now that we have let go of the things that have imprisoned us, like Jean holding up in the hotel like she was a bird until she decided to free Douglas as well as herself by returning to England. Or like Grahm saying that he who put people in prison put himself there until he let go of his judge/law practice by saying “This is the day.” and became freed both from his past, his identity, and ultimately from this world in death. The white crane flying away from the hotel symbolizes the freedom that we all can have.
Acts 2—When the disciples were afraid, the HS came like a rush of a violent wind and filled the entire house. The HS gave them the ability to speak. Peter spoke about sons and daughters shall prophesy, young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams. The people saw this and became an empowered community devoted to teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers. Miracles of healing started to take place.
What is God “filling you up” with to do?
- How long will your “Fill Up” take you? When you fill up your gas tank, would your car take you 200, 300, 400 miles? In time, would that be 3, 4, 5 hours of driving until you would need to fill up again?
How many more “fill ups” is there still in your life? How many more years do you expect to still live? Might this be 20 years? Last night, we talked about the meaning of “vocation” to be “a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.” What might your strong impulse or inclination to be for the next 20 years?
In God, “We are most ourselves when we are closest to God in whom image we are made.” We are created by God in God’s image for a purpose because we still have creative work to do in the next 20 years. By remembering whose we are, we would know what to do next–“If it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.”
Share what I’ll be doing tomorrow in Portland, Maine—God has a purpose for me.
Share what my retirement plans are…Medicare, June 2015
- What will you do next? Go back to the pastor about “What will you do with your life differently?”
Colossians 3—If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Revelations 21—In God, God us “making all things new.” Then God said, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.”
You might still think, –“If it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.” It is not yet the end for your life on earth. What will you do next? On a piece of paper, write down what you plan to do in the next 20 years. Are you willing to share this with your friends today? Is our Sojourners community of “we-ness” sufficient to hold us to our commitments that for the next 20 years, God still has a vocation for us to do?
Post the pieces of paper on newsprint and share what our plans are.
- Sing Lamentations 3:23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.