“Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so thatwe can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.”
1 Timothy 6:6-9 (NRSV)

A hot flaky biscuit smeared with creamy butter and drizzled with sweet honey topped off with a tall glass of ice-cold milk is a great way to start the morning. What happens when I reach into the fridge and we’re out of milk? Disappointment immediately overcomes me. While this seems trivial, it made me think of our recent readings in the old testament as part of our Grand Sweep of the Bible.

Are we a grumbling and mumbling people? Do we realize that God chose us for His glory? Are we ever content?

As God’s people fled captivity from Egypt, they were told of this far off glorious land flowing with milk and honey. It seems like an appropriate motivating reward for the Israelites of what is to come if only they follow God’s will. After all, they had been wandering in a desert surviving on manna from the sky, quail from the ground and water from a rock, all of which miraculously manifested itself.  The quail walked into the camp like the drive thru at Chick-fil-A. Amazing!

“And they told him, We came to the land to which you sent us; it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.”
Numbers 13:27 (NRSV)

How soon they forgot God’s covenant with Abraham. Enough just is not enough. The promise of a land overflowing with milk and honey was far better than what they had in Egypt, yet they still complained. I probably would have been one of the grumblers since I read no mention of a honey garlic butter glaze to flavor the grilled quail. It’s just not same without the honey.

Do we sometimes forget we are His people? Do we forget to give thanks for what little we may think we have?

“Then they despised the pleasant land,
    having no faith in his promise.
They grumbled in their tents,
    and did not obey the voice of the Lord.”
Psalms 106: 24-25 (NRSV)

We are His chosen people when we accept the call to salvation. His truth and Spirit go before us. We too can reap the benefits of the fruits of the land. All God asks is for our obedience to look ahead to the promised land.

We are appointed by Christ in our calling to bear lasting fruit.

^“But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sistersbeloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruitsfor salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NRSV) 

Perhaps this milk and honey represents the fertile ground that lies ahead when we fully trust the Lord with our lives. It is the sustenance of an abundant life where we grow in faith. How quick we are to complain and forget our trust. Do we complain that the milk is a bit sour or the honey is just not sweet enough? Perhaps we have soured it by our ungratefulness or made it bitter with our attitude.

 ^“So that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.”
Deuteronomy 6:2-3 (NRSV)                  

This past week Reverend Mike took us through a great sermon about fear of the unknown. He reminded us of how paralyzing fear takes our eye off the prize and obstructs us from reaching our reward or bearing the weight of glory. Just as Peter spoke about in 1 Peter 5, this type of glory restores, supports, strengthens, and establishes us in midst of our struggles to inherit the kingdom of God. “Things will not remain the same” is an understatement in this year of Covid, but even so, God’s promise remains the same.

Flowing grace abounds for those who trust in name of the Lord.

How do we process our fears and redirect them to keep moving towards the land of milk and honey?

Might it require us to be flexible and adaptable? Well, we would not have survived 35 years as a church if we were not resilient with steadfast faith. No matter the changes and challenges we have faced, we somehow seem to rise to each occasion. Might that be from our trust and belief in the Lord? Might that be our confidence that we stand on the promise of the covenant? Might that be that we know that the land of milk and honey is right here?

^“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure…”
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NRSV)

Rise indeed church. Ministry still goes on. We just launched a new ministry “Adopt a flower bed” which helps us beautify our campus grounds while reaping a savings of $4,800 annually that we can repurpose for another ministry. Two weeks ago, we held a cornhole tournament to kick off “Recreation Ministries” planned for AUMC and our community. This past week we had two Sunday school classes meet on our church campus for the first time since our Covid hiatus. One class met in the parking lot “tailgate style” and another launched our “hybrid- Zoom/live” meeting format. One small group is now meeting outside in our courtyard, “BYOCC” (Bring your own chair & coffee) style. Our HAAM fall food drive challenge kicked off with mac & cheese, next up- mashed taters. We can do it!

Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13 (NRSV)       

Joy and content fill our hearts when we point our lives to the Glory of God.

Are we much different than the Israelites back in the day of Moses? At times we tend to grumble and mumble when we believe God has not answered us or shown us the way we would like it to be. Maybe he does not want us to go back to the way we always did things. Perhaps the lesson we all need to learn is to be open to adapt to new ways and to be content.

A sure-fire cure for the grumblings is to get involved, in person or remotely, in a ministry, project, small group, or a Bible study. Check out our email blast, bulletin, and our AUMC website for other upcoming opportunities such as Family Promise. We can all learn a lesson from these special families who live out Philippians 4:12.

How do we learn to be content and be joyous in what is and what could be?

“For this purpose, he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NRSV)

Did you just hear the good news? You have been called, you have been chosen, you have been saved in the name of Jesus. That is why you are here in this place today. Trust the Lord. Have no fear. Keep the faith on the path He is taking you. Be content with all you have. Be confident to cross over to the land of milk and honey. Your life is for the sole glory of God. Pass the biscuits, please!

Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader

“He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”
CS Lewis (Weight of Glory)