Faith and Daily Life Integrating the Two

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: Eleanor Johnson, Greenwood, WI

HOW DO WE BRING OUR FAITH INTO OUR DAILY LIVES? When you go to the grocery store, do you see the items there as being examples of your faith? When you walk through the produce aisle, does the sight of the fruits and vegetables remind you of being a Christian and living your faith? Do they remind you of qualities that you need to be a leader? Let's look at a bunch of grapes to see if we can find characteristics that remind us of people who we are in contact with day after day. What are some of the unique qualities of the grape? Comes in bunches- ('community') Connected to a vine- ('Jesus') Easily bruised Thin skinned Must be treated gently They have varying degrees of ripeness- ('wisdom/maturity') They are different colors- ('inclusive') Some are sweet; some are sour- (attitudes?) Round- ('we come in all shapes/sizes') Away from the vine they will wither- ('we need the fellowship of other Christians') The vines need to be pruned to produce healthy fruit- ('the company you keep decides the kind of person you may become) Some have seeds, some do not- (some of us have handicaps/difficulties to overcome') Have essential vitamins/fiber in them They have a variety of uses (salad, juice, wine) Do you recognize any of these personality traits in the people that you work with-&endash;your family&endash;-people in your congregation? How can we work together for a common goal? How about a carrot? Does it remind you of your faith? They are rooted - (based in faith) They are not 'ready to eat' They need to be washed - (baptized?) They need to be peeled They are showy on top Tops carry nutrients to what is growing below They grow individually Some are sweet, some are bland They have a thin skin They need to be thinned for their best potential All the same color, usually Have essential vitamins in them They have a variety of uses (relish, cooked, juice) They have a central core They 'keep' They are influenced by the soil they are in Whatever we do in our lives, it should remind us of how we are to live our lives, whether it is socializing with our friends, worshipping, or shopping for groceries. We are: called to discipleship, called to ministry, called to a 'Living Faith', called to pray, study, worship, invite, encourage, serve and give. Eleanor B Johnson, Chequamegon Conference, NW Synod of WI, Greenwood, WI

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