Psychics, Pigs and Pharisees

Today's readings from the Daily Lectionary were a riot. All full of colorful characters.  From Acts 15, Peter and the Jerusalem Council, where Peter basically tells the Pharisees to get over it where God's grace is concerned.  From Mark 5, the story of the Gerasene Demoniac, where Jesus heals a man by casting his occupying evil spirits into a herd of swine. And last but not least, from 1 Samuel 28, the story of Saul - who had just thrown all the psychics and wizards out of the land, consulting (in costume) a psychic - known in Biblical lore as "The Witch of Endor." This was way too much fun to read. (And I commend them to you for your reading - but you must read ALL of them together for maximum impact!)

If there were psychics and wizards back in Old Testament times, why do we tend to freak out over them today and believe that they can no longer exist? If there were demons and evil spirits in Jesus' time, why are we surprised when we encounter them now? And what - there were gatekeepers in the church, who tried to separate the worthy from the unworthy? No!! Impossible.

But put them all together, and here's what I get:  God will use what God will use: pigs, psychics, Pharisees, you name it. Saith Peter:  "Why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

God will use what God will use. Mad dogs and Englishmen.  Even Missional Presbyters. Even alcoholics, people with terminal diseases, pregnant mothers, one-legged Ph.Ds, retired pastors, grieving widowers, two teenagers and their parents. All God's children got a place in the choir. How dare we test God by trying to restrain God's grace - by trying to put a yoke on that which is freely given to us.

As my friend Tom said yesterday, "Isn't it funny how pastors use the language 'seeking a call,' when really it's God doing the calling?" God's gifts are just that: God's gifts, freely given. Our job is to suit up and answer when they come, say "thank you" even if it doesn't seem like a gift at the time, and then put that gift to use. It's been done by psychics, pigs, and maybe even Pharisees - it's the least we can do.