Thoughts from your Regional Minister Article
Published in May 2023 Kansas Messenger
Written by: Rev. Ken Marston, Co-Regional Minister
At the last regional board meeting I shared a passage of scripture from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It comes from the fourth chapter verses 1-5. These verses say:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life
worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit –
just as you were called to one hope when you were called –
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.”
Throughout human history there have been forces at work to divide the human family – forces that try to get us to see those who are different from us as “others” and something to fear and exclude. When this happens then hatred and exclusion and destruction become the outcomes.
I believe this is contrary to God’s will. In fact, I believe Jesus came to show us a different way of life – a life that nurtures the life around us and leads us to life that is full of life.
Paul points to the key to this way of life when he writes there is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” When we see God in all that exists, we realize that different is not something we need to fear or exclude. Rather it is something we can embrace and be enriched by.
So, look for how God is present in the life you encounter today and see if it doesn’t change your life.