The Search for Meaning

Public Address

(Delivered at Brazil SDA Dedication Weekend Vesper Service)
One interesting way Jesus taught when he walked upon earth was the provoking way in which he questioned people. Jesus had this particular knack for asking hard questions and forcing people to think more than they planned to or were accustomed to. Hear Jesus one day:

What do you think? A certain man had two sons. He said to the 1st go work today in my vineyard. He said I go sir but did not go. The 2nd said I will not go but later repented and went. Which of the 2 did the will of the father? Immediately you think you know the answer. But please, don’t be too quick to voice it.
Because, just like the people in His time you soon realize that you can’t answer it properly without 1st answering what really is obedience. Or, are there degrees of obedience? And if there are what is the most important part of obedience? Then you suddenly realize- for you to adequately answer the question; you must also think about the way you interpret life and the way you look at life.

If you believe the big secret in life is to make people feel good by telling them what they want to hear; then the 1st guy is your guy. Like the 1st guy there are a lot of people who talk their way through life. Their rule of thumb is: It’s not what you do; just agree with what people expect and you’re cool. Why be stressed? Just say what important people want to hear so we can all go home and all get along. (Except of course, actions do matter a great deal. Because if you say you’re going to be here to tie the steel or pain the church for dedication and don’t show-up someone else will have to do it or dedication will have to go on without something done that could have been done.

If however, the great principle in life for you is: it’s not what you say but what you do. Then the 2nd guy is your guy. Like the 2nd guy a lot of people who live by the notion that it’s not your words, but your actions that count in life. So you can say whatever you want because at the end of the day it’s your actions that ultimately matter.

Of course if you’re someone who lives by the principle that you must both say what you mean and mean what you say- neither of the 2 sons will be your guy.

But remember we are still talking about Jesus and his approach to questions as a means of learning. To me the most gripping type of questions asked by Jesus’ were ones that forced individuals to reflect on their emotional connections to issues or events. “Let’s look at the crowds that went to hear John the Baptist” Jesus said one day. Locate yourself as a person in that crowd and ask yourself the questions. What made me go out there? What did I really go out there to see? Could you answer that question for me in the quiet chamber of your heart?

The notion of forcing people to emotionally give an account for their involvement in an event is a particularly intriguing line of questioning. It is a unique way of imposing personalized soul searching on group activities and events. Many times group effects and club-like behaviors dominate our thinking to the point where there is no sense of personal awareness. Why am I engaged in this or that event and where do I fit into the scheme of things happening around me are questions we seldom pause to ask ourselves. You see, group inclusion or clubability is a compelling human phenomenon.

 As I thought of this weekend dedication celebrations at Brazil with it string of ceremonies stretching from Friday evening to Sunday grand stone unveiling. I couldn’t help but wonder: How do present and past members of Brazil Church feel? What significance does this occasion hold for you as an individual person? What type of vibes are you experiencing and how emotionally connected are you with all that’s going on around you? 

How involved have I been and how involved am I planning to be in the future? How involved am I allowing others to be so that they could share the joy of engaged fellowship that I feel and the sense of accomplishment that I often glory in?

Dr. Raymond S. Edwards
President/CEO, MOHDC
http://www.mohdc.com
Raymond Edwards, Ph.D. Organizational Psychologist & Minister of Religion: is an international development consultant and executive Leadership behavior specialist.