On the 250th Anniversary of this country we sit with the realities of these United States of America. We are a people that rose up to fight for freedom while enslaving and annihilating residents at the same time. A country that has both been a beacon to the world and struggled to shine a light on itself. A republic that espoused economic equality in revolutionary ways and one that is embodying rapid economic inequality at an astounding rate. In short we are a beautiful and broken nation filled with beautiful and broken people.

This work of revolutionary love is not for the faint of heart. It is not about feeling like you did something. It is about sitting with hard truths about yourself. It is about stopping to love your neighbor and pick them up off the ground even when they might spit in your face. It is about the kind of deep love that can penetrate through flack jackets and melted the coldest ICE.

I hope that throughout this series you have gotten some time to think about what it looks like for you to embody revolutionary love. What it looks like for us to be a community that embodies revolutionary love. What it looks like for us to wash the feet even of those who will betray us right after we show love. I hope you see yourself taking on that work, I hope you see us supporting each other in that work. I hope you see as I do, us creating a community where people show up to or sign onto our service and think - who are these crazy people that are building the kin(G)dom of God across race and gender, language and class, sexual orientation and citizenship status. Who is this God that they serve? When I see them I imagine that another world is possible - and I think I am in it right now. That is my vision for us. Just one small group of people who are crazy enough to think that God can transform us to live on earth as it is in heaven - together.

If we can do that - we will be living the radical interdependence that the world needs right now. So I will stop my sermon there and invite you into one last act of crafting this vision. I want you to see it, smell it touch it and declare it.

Reflection Questions - Embrace the Creative Approach!

1. VISION IT OUT - It is December 2026 and we are reflecting on the past year. You are talking with someone about the ways that you have grown spiritually over this year. Where have you had breakthroughs? How has your practice grown?

2. VISION IT OUT - It is the fall and your small group is planning an offering back to the congregation and community. What are you planning? How is it a reflection of revolutionary love? How has your small group shown up for each other during the year?

3. VISION IT OUT - It is our Christmas Service and a lot of folks have shown up for service. What do they experience when they walk into our service? Think about the ways that we gather and how they are infused with revolutionary love. How are we setting an example for what is possible?