Super Bowl of Presence

On a Sunday morning in church, the actual church building, I am there.

On a Thursday night, huddled around the little table with the dancing flames of the candle that is lit, with you, I am there.

During the most chaotic time of your life, I am there.

In those moments when you get goose bumps because you have heard something profound, I am there.

When you smile because of good news you have received, I am there.

As you sort through all those tough questions about where I may be and even when you know for sure I am not there, I am there.

At a packed football stadium in Miami, I am there.

In the middle of the devastation of an earthquake, I am there.

In the house jammed packed with 25 students and some older folks, I am there.

Jesus once said to those who were following him that, “Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of you.”

Sometimes we may need to look a little harder than other times, but no matter what we are doing or where we are, God is in the midst of it. In our laughter and in our tears, in our chatter and in our singing, in our groaning and in our smiling, God is present with us. This was evident this past Sunday night as we gathered.

Many people gathered with their closest of friends the other night to watch a football game. It was the ‘game’ of the year some say. In fact it in so influential in our society and culture, there is a move to get the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday off and make it a “National Holiday”. I even saw one person’s Facebook status say, “If Martin Luther King Jr. was still alive, he’d have a dream to have the Monday after the Super Bowl off.” This sporting event shapes our culture if not because of the event itself, than for sure the commercials and entertainment they provide for us. Either way, whatever your reason may be as to the reason you watch, you gather with others to do so and in that gathering, with the TV up loud, the dip falling off the chip and on to your white t-shirt, and the drink that was just spilled, God is there.

Imagine watching the game alone this past Sunday? Would you have had the same experience? Would you have been as involved in the game if you were alone? Sad you not come, Katie Duncan would not have one the quiz with her 11 out of 14 correct answers and Graham Duncan wouldn’t have anyone to tell how he almost guessed to the exact what the combined score would be. He guessed 47 and the actual score was 48. Or what about the dance party which happened after the start of the second half? Would your moves have seemed as cool, and perhaps as lame, if you did it alone? You wouldn’t have had the laughter you had without the others doing the sprinkler, the running-man, and lip singing to Miley, would you? Then there is the football game which broke out during the game in the house! Two of our KFC’ers started their own game after their interest in the one on TV dwindled but what was fascinating about their game, and more entertaining mind you, is their field wasn’t 100 yards long, played on soft grass. No instead it was played on staircase: one end zone at the base of the stairs and the other one, one top of the stairs. The miracle, no one got hurt!

Then there is the table and how it hosted a great meal provided by our host, Kim. The spread was great: chicken wings, chips and dip, vegetables and fruit, cold beverages, and candy. How good it was to see us with plates in hand and empty cups, come to the table to be filled not only with food and drink, but with good conversation with our good friends. In that moment, in those moments where we sat eating together, talking, giving thanks, and enjoy the game, a holy moment happened. Even if it was just a second long, we sat, worried free except for who would score next and what the next commercial would be, and we were gathered together, in a home, breaking bread. Sounds familiar doesn’t it as we approach this Lenten season.

Peacefully you gathered too. It is said you can’t have a party with people too different from each other. You guys the other night proved you can. Despite being junior high and senior high, despite being from different schools, despite many things, you guys came together and lets be honest, partied! To see you interact and to see you converse with each other brought much delight to me. For the most part, your inclusion of everyone was inspiring and your ability to adapt is always remarkable. Yet what gets me every time is your creativeness and making sure you keep things interesting. Your care free spirits, along with your good willed attitudes facilitates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Sometimes it is hard to see God’s love in the world, let alone in our own lives. But that night, I had no problem seeing Christ’s face in the 25+ of you who attended our party. Your laughter, your conversations, your presence is and was proof alone God is with us. The fact of the matter is, there was lots of fun happening and a fair amount of jocularity, which provided a great sense of peace that night and which carried into the start of the week. Incredible you are.

Friends the next time we gather, look closely, listen intently, and simply pay attention to the faces of one another. And when you do, you too will see proof of Jesus’ promise to us that he is there with us, when a few have gathered or when an entire stadium of people are together, Christ is in our midst.

Peace to you until we gather again.