When I collect shells, I pick up a shell, examine it carefully, because I like the unique ones, those with funny shapes or oddly colored, yes I even collect the broken ones. Shells that have been worn by the repeated waves until they are as smooth as glass, or those that are still new and rough, the ones with funny crevices, the ones I keep are not like all the rest, the ones that make the trip back home are distinctively different. Last year, as I went through this beachcombing shelling sifting process, a thought struck me, “Why is it that we search for the unique in life, yet we seem to discount people who are different? Why do we spend so much time and effort trying to fit in, to be just like others – to dress like them, look like them or act like them, yet when we collect our treasures we look for the unique?”

I wonder if God collects people the way that I collect seashells. Do you value your uniqueness or try to be like someone else? Do you treasure the uniqueness in other people or wish that they were more like you? While God calls us to be “Christ-like”, He doesn’t call us to be Jesus. God desires that we use our own uniqueness to build up “the body of Christ” in the world. God has created me to be “Rhonda Kay Hobbs” – unique, different, and for unique purpose. No one else has the exact same genetic code, no one else has the same thumbprint, and no one else has had the same life experiences. In the same way, God has created YOU to be YOU. No two people are exactly alike – not even identical twins.

Do you know the story of Rabbi Zusya who lived in the 1700’s? One day he said, “When I get to the heavenly court, God will not ask me, ‘Why weren’t you Moses?’ Rather he will ask me, ‘Why were you not Zusya?”

Who are you?

Why are you here?

You really are God’s gift to the world.

~ Shalom Rhonda

For it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; (Psalm 139:13-14a)

I do not understand the crucifixion of Jesus. Yes, I know intellectually Christian doctrines and how our theories of atonement, sacrifice, and substitution developed, like the way I know how babies are born. But, I have born a child, the “knowing” of giving birth goes much deeper. Infants are born with great pain to their mothers, yet I understand their tiny scarlet faces beam of new life. But, why the cross? For the last several Lenten seasons, the crucifixion seems to loom over me haunting my spirit – the cross, death-dealing, sin-bearing, hate-filled, murderous cross.

Why? I think the crimson cardinal is my glimpse of God’s response, a suggestive image of why. It is as if, the blood of Jesus against the gray-brown cross, shouts a resounding “No!” to death. “No!” to despair. “No!” “No!” “No!” He is our crimson hope. Hope for new life, a sign that in the midst of a dreary world, there is a crimson hope that the renewing life is at hand.

In the midst of the dreary days of winter, we have hope. Hope that all things are being made new. Hope that death does not have the final word. We have victory and eternal life through the Crimson Hope of Christ. Share this good news with someone struggling to find hope today!

Shalom!

Rev. Rhonda

Discipline doesn’t always feel good. Ask anyone who has successfully undertaken a healthy lifestyle of eating and exercise.

This New Year’s Eve as you make (once again) that resolution to transform your body into a healthy, lean machine you know intellectually that it’s not enough to join the gym. Right? In order to become a healthier person, you have to actually go to the gym and workout. You have to discipline yourself not to eat that chocolate cake. Ow. Ow. Ow. Now that hurts, but if you are committed,

persistent, tenacious, and endure some short-term, temporary pain, you begin to form strong healthy bones and muscles, and lose flabby, useless fat. However, if you just join the gym and never actually go or if you do go to the gym but spend all of your time visiting with friends, your body is not going to be transformed and this time next year, you will be in the same shape you are now. Nope, you have to do the hard work, it takes discipline. Ow.

Since the signs were in a church yard, they must not have been referring to physical discipline. Certainly spiritual discipline can make us say “ow” as well. Being a follower of Jesus’ way of living isn’t for wimps or the faint-hearted. Joining a church is one step to being a follower of Jesus, but just like joining the gym won’t get you in physical shape unless you do the exercises, joining the church alone won’t transform your life. You have to do the spiritual exercises. To be spiritually fit requires regular disciplines of prayer – ow, study – ow, fasting – ow, silence- ow, solitude – ow, self-examination – ow, ow, which leads to conviction and repentance – triple ow. Of course like a massage after a tough workout, there’s the soothing effects of forgiveness which help our souls to relax. But before your spiritual muscles become limp, you hear that inner voice say, “and you must also forgive your enemies.” – ouch. Discipline ow is right.

Well you may have already figured this out, but when I was headed back to the interstate, I read the sign again except this time, I figured out that they were promoting a class “Disciple Now”. Either way, I got the message.

Happy New Year!

Rev. Rhonda

“Rejoice in this, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials … you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

I Peter 1:6-9, NRSV

When I reached the first park bench, the lady was sitting there, again resting after she had walked the next section of the track. I smiled and said, “I sure could use another one of those cool refreshing breezes.” She smiled back and said, “I’m in my eighties, and I’ve learned to pace myself. You just have to know what stage of life you’re in and go accordingly. Don’t give up! Instead, adjust to where you are in life!”

She’s in her 80’s and walks two miles every day! How does she do it? She has learned how to pace herself. What wonderful advice! Not only for doing physical exercise, but for our spiritual lives as well! How are you doing in your spiritual walk? Are you a new Christian, taking baby steps – even if you’re in your 80’s? Are you working up to a triathlon utilizing prayer and fasting, meditation, and regular study of the scriptures? What stage of life are you in spiritually? Wherever you are in your walk with God, the Holy Spirit provides those cool refreshing breezes to encourage us along the way! Just don’t give up!

Blessings!

 Rev. Rhonda Hobbs