So two preachers are in their place on Sunday morning (the names have been withheld to protect the guilty!). The hymn begins to play. It happens to be that great hymn of faith (All Creatures of Our God and King!) The hymn celebrates the majesty of all creation. Then it happens.
A wasp has decided to join worship. Now I often wonder if these creatures who decided to worship with us randomly are God sent or demon sent. Did the wasp suddenly feel the urge to identify himself/herself with the leaders of worship? Has this wasp been waiting to answer the call to ministry? Is there a wasp committee (which would have to be Methodist as we have such an affinity for committees) that sends out missionary wasps to worship? "Go see what the Methodists are doing and report back to us!"
Or perhaps there is a demonic side to this creature that has motivated its sudden appearance. Is it a martyr wasp that is sent to do harm to those who would lead worship? Are there cells of demonic wasps just waiting to invade UMC worship and attack its leaders?
Anyway, the wasp showed up. It is hard to identify whether a wasp is friendly or not. I imagine it the same for the wasp.
The sudden appearance of these wonderful creatures of God in worship has great impact upon those who find themselves in close proximity. One can react without thinking. Such is the case.
Preacher one found himself holding a cross. Preaching two and Preacher one were silently contemplating their options when said wasp lit upon or in very close proximity of Preacher one. There should be a pubic notice somewhere in the wasp colony that warns them: Do not land near preacher holding a cross. Without really thinking, preacher one smote the wasp with the cross! Yes in the holy of holy, with a cross, he smote the creature of our God and King! Let us pray.....
Now I am not sure what theological implications there are for such action. I am sure there is no disciplinary actions that are necessary. And I am not sure what happened to the remains of the wasp that dared to show up for worship. However, I am sure that preacher one and preacher two continued to worship God in the fullness of creation with a sigh of relief. But maybe there should not be too much comfort for these two as there ARE other wasps in this world.
Strangely enough, the apostle Paul reminds us that the cross is the central event in the life of Jesus that does protect us. We speak in the faith of taking up the cross and carrying the cross. When we find ourselves at a loss for what to do look at the cross. Hold the cross in your hand and in your heart.
Sometimes there is more going on in worship that one realizes.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
Dr. M. Jack O'Dell
www.midweekmanna.com
www.stlukesimpson.org
Funny!
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