Each time we gather in our Poplar Springs Sanctuary we see the light of the sun bending through the large stained-glass window in the balcony. This is the “Trinity Window” in our church, and it represents the triunity of God: The Father and his creative presence, The Son giving his life as a lamb for sacrifice, and The Spirit coming to bring God’s peace to our lives and our world. As I have noticed this window across the past months, its depiction impresses me with the Good News that God is always “reaching” – reaching toward us:
- We see God reaching via the creator’s hand in the center pane reaching down toward the earth and its inhabitants.
- We see God reaching via the Spirit’s descent to fill us with his power as depicted in the stage right pane.
- We See God reaching via the unfurled banner of the victorious Christ obviously moving forward, wind in his face, in the stage left pane.
Yes, God is always reaching toward us and for this, we are a thankful people!
God’s reach is declared to us in scripture: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten, one and only, Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17). He’s reaching and he has called us to extend his reach through our interaction with the people we meet. As Paul writes to the early church, “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us!” (2 Cor. 5:20). Our Trinity window is a great and regular reminder of this dynamic in our walk of faith – through us, God continues to reach to the peoples of the world!
When the Nazis took France in 1940, the French people were allowed to govern themselves but with fascist principles at the forefront. Most towns complied with this regulation but not the mountain town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon and the town’s pastor, Andre Trocme. Trocme was convinced and convicted that God wanted his church and its school to reach out to all people! He preached saying, “We shall resist whenever our adversaries demand of us obedience contrary to the orders of the Gospel…without fear, without pride, and without hate.” Their school had no flagpole, and no fascist salutes were offered before it. The school had 18 students in 1940 but by 1944 there were 350 students enrolled. They welcomed all – even the Jews! The French Governor went to the school to attempt to force them to comply and was met by a ceremony during which the students presented him a letter which read: “We have learned of frightening scenes in Paris when Jewish families have been arrested and taken to Auschwitz…. We feel obliged to tell you that there are among us a certain number of Jews. But we make no distinction between Jews and non-Jews. It is contrary to the Gospel to do so. We have Jews. You’re not getting them.” Trocme’s wife asked him, “How did you make this decision?” And he replied, “There was no decision to be made. Do you think we are all brothers or not?” (See Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants, p. 266)
Yes, we are all brothers and sisters in this world of ours in that God is constantly reaching out to love us, save us, and empower us to be the people he made us to be! That being so, let us look this week for the people God wants to reach through us and share with them the love of Jesus so that no one misses out on God’s grace!
In the Love of Jesus,
Tony Tench