The Disciples Remember Words from Micah:

Written and adapted by Lloyd Gilchrist

One day the disciples sat together around a fire. It was at the end of the day. They had been walking with Jesus, teaching about God's love. Now it was time to rest. They held their hands out to warm them. They gave a big yawn and settled comfortably on the blanket.

First disciple: Friends, it is good that we are Jesus' helpers but I have a question: 'How do we know that we are doing what God wants? How do we know what God wants'"?

Other disciples: Hmm, that is a good question.

Second disciple: We all want to show our love to God. How do we know what God wants?

Third disciple: I know. Do you remember hearing the words of the prophet Micah? He shared some ways for us to live God's way.

Fourth disciple: I remember. Micah said that God wants us to treat each other fairly.

All disciples: Yes, we can do that!

Fourth disciple: And Micah said that God wants us to be kind and loving to each other and to care for God's earth.

First disciple: And one more thing....Micah said that we must think always of God.

All disciples: Yes, we can do that!

Second disciple: If we can do those three things, we will be worshipping God with a big heart!

All disciples: Yes, we can do that!

Third disciple: (yawning) I'm tired; let's go to sleep.

All disciples: Good night, .....

Two thousand years later around a campfire in Manitoba several campers are discussing the disciples in the above scene.

Camper 1: You know sitting around a camp fire has always made me feel extra close to the people sitting with me. In fact I even feel a special bond with Jesus' disciples even though they lived so long ago. Just imagine they sat around a fire relaxing just like we're doing right now.

Camper 2: Yes, I know what you mean. When I'm sitting around a fire I seem to focus on the really important things in my life. Looking into the fire is very comforting and looking above into the vast heavens always gets me thinking about God. All those stars and galaxies and how they're all connected...and how I'm part of God's immense creation...it's pretty mind boggling, isn't it?

Camper 3: It is kind of humbling isn't it. It's quite spiritual and it makes me wonder if I'm doing my part in this world as God meant for me.

C1: That's probably similar to how the disciples were feeling so many years ago too. They said that there were three things for us to do to live God's way. I wonder how we're doing those three things in modern times right here in Manitoba?

C2: Well, the three things were: God wants us to treat each other fairly, to be kind and loving to each other and care for the earth, and to think always of God.

C3: Well, like I said when I sit around a campfire I always think about God.

C2: Yes, but is that you only time you consider God? Don't you consider God's wishes for your life every day and in all circumstances?

C3: Well, I have to admit that isn't always the case, but what about treating each other justly and being kind and loving towards all people? I think that is where we could be really focusing our attentions in this modern world.

C1: I certainly think there is a great need. There are lots of examples of injustices and we need to do a whole lot to eliminate them. Just the other day I was reading some accounts from Derwin Kitch of how the tsunami had affected Sri Lanka where he is now living. He talked about a government official who was stranded on a mountaintop along with several other people after the tsunami. Nearby, there were some children stranded on a coconut tree while the waters swirled beneath them. The government official used his cell phone to summon a helicopter to get him. When the helicopter arrived, the politician pushed the others from the mountaintop away when they wanted to enter the helicopter. He ignored the stranded children in the tree and told the pilot to take off. No, we don't treat others very well, do we?

C2: Yes, but that's half a world away.... What can we do about injustices and mistreatment so far away? It really isn't fair, is it? First of all those people had to suffer the devastation of the tsunami, and then they have to suffer at the hands of there own government. It's the real insult added to the injury. It really makes me feel helpless and pessimistic about what's going on in this world.

C4: I heard another story from Derwin Kitch. Many parents were faced with a terrible dilemma.... Which of their children they would hold onto to keep the safe from the water surge. Almost always the parents held on to their youngest hoping and praying that the older children would have a better chance of surviving on their own. I'm sure glad I have never had to make a decision like that. And yet there were miraculous happenings too. One father was playing on the beach with his two young daughters when the surge hit. The only thing he could do was grab onto his younger daughter and climb a coconut tree. The wave picked up his older daughter out to the ocean right in front of his eyes. Miraculously, the next wave brought her right back to him and he was able to grab her and hang on to both his daughters. Unbelievable, isn't it?

C3: Well, I guess it's obvious one way of being kind and loving to each other is to give what we can to the tsunami relief. That devastation will take many years to rebuild.

C2: Yes, but I've heard that the governments in those countries are so corrupt that much of the monetary aid is going to line the pockets of the government officials. In Sri Lanka there was hope that the common goal of rebuilding the country would unify

and strengthen the nation. But, that doesn't seem to be happening. Even though most of Sri Lanka is Buddhist, there are also a good number of Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. But there seems to be a trend that rich Christians are helping only Christians, and rich Hindus are only helping Hindus and so on. Now Sri Lanka is being split along religious lines.

C4: Three cheers for religion once again!!!!

C1: It is so exasperating, isn't it. When we look at the world's major religions, they have so much teaching in common. Yet the differences in religion are what dominate and our human interpretations of them lead to so many wars. Say, we're getting off topic, aren't we?

C2: No, I don't think so at all. I think what we're doing is only illustrating why the three requirements mentioned in the Micah passage are so important. We can certainly see from those examples in Sri Lanka that those three requests of God are not being done in those circumstances.

C3: Yes, but that leaves me in a quandary. How can I give when I don't know if my money goes to where it is needed?

C4: There are no easy answers and probably no guarantees, but there are ways to minimize the risk. Donating to trusted agencies that already have a presence in those countries goes a long way to assure that our money goes to where it is needed. Agencies like the Red Cross, UNICEF, the Mennonite Central Committee, and our own church's mission and service fund are good examples of organizations with maximum efforts to see our money goes where it is directed.

C1: I don't think it's a good idea not to give at all because we're afraid our money won't go where it should. Just think; if everybody thought that, nothing would get done. Sure, I guess there will always be some risk and there will be some abuse, but we have to think of the overall picture I think. We can't let a few rotten apples spoil the barrel for everyone. It is certainly one way we can show kindness a love to each other.

C2: It's easy to talk about things so far removed from us, but let's face it. What's even more important is how we serve God right here everyday in our local community. Can we think of examples of things that need doing right here locally? Can we think of any injustices that need rectifying? Can we think of instances where people have served God and produced some great results. I know Kathy had something to tell us about.

Kathy H:

C2: Thank you Kathy and now Mary Ellen.

Mary Ellen:

C2: Albert is a member of the board of the food bank. Perhaps there are ways we can help the food bank provide for those who need food in our local communities. Albert.

Albert:

C1: Thank you Albert. Are there any other members of the congregation who would like to share their experiences or knowledge of needs at this time?

Congregation:

C1: Thank you. Well, fellow campers...this campfire certainly has been enlightening, hasn't it? I think I do feel closer to you all now and I feel closer to God. These campfires are a real spiritual aid, aren't they? Let us say a few words of prayer together.

All campers: Loving and challenging God. Thank you for giving us simple and clear direction through your prophet Micah. Help us meet your challenges in everyday life. Help us use the messages we received here today to treat each other fairly, to be kind and loving to each other and your earth, and to think of your messages for us always. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.