If we were perfect, we couldn’t belong. Church is a place, a sanctuary, a refuge for Imperfect sinners. Just this morning, and quite regularly, I am reminded how inclusive we are at this church called Joy, and to also be sure we are not excluding anyone who doesn’t look like us. We are a spiritual hospital, doing spiritual triage. St. Paul taught his protege Timothy a profound truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”

 We are always tip-toeing along a spiritual ledge, hanging on by the last leaf of the branch of the vine. We are always tempted, sometimes prideful, impatient, intolerant, morally superior…a never-ending list, it is. But we are also capable of changing the world, one holy moment at a time.

We have a band of misfits here at Joy, not just by different denominations and parts of the country. We call benefit from step five, which is to “admit to God, to ourselves, and to another person the exact nature of our wrong”. We don’t need a confessional booth (sorry, Catholics).  God understands, without an intermediary, our individual and institutional sins, like racism. We are blessed when we remember that it it is Christ working in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, coming not just on Pentecost, but anytime we act upon our inherent holiness. Think of how much that, and the unconditional love of God, can welcome misfits and make them instant friends, brothers and sisters of Christ.

Pastor Art