Master of Detours

Download: Audio

Scripture:  Acts 1:15-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said… Read more...

Looking to Sunday

by Elaine Poproski

This past February, I and many other Christians were disappointed (devastated? horrified?) to learn that Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche, an international network of communities in which people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together, sexually abused at least 6 women over a period of 35 years. Vanier wrote a lot of books about living in community and about our human responsibility to care for each other. He was respected and influential. World renowned Christian and author, Henri Nouwen, was shaped by his experience living in a L’Arche community. I own at least a couple of Vanier’s books, have read them more than once, and have always been deeply impacted by his words. But now…

Now the words ring hollow. Now I wonder what to do with the books that somehow lack integrity.

Vanier isn’t the first of Jesus’ followers to disappoint. Nor will he be the last. But I don’t think that ever makes it any less devastating.

Can you imagine what it was like for Jesus’ first disciples when Judas betrayed Jesus – sold out his location so Jesus could be arrested and crucified? How does someone who walked with Jesus turn around and betray Him? How does someone who’s served Jesus for a lifetime, simultaneously use his power and influence to harm people? It is the nature of temptation. It is the destructive reality of sin in our world and in ourselves that brings down men and women of faith regardless of our best intentions or good works.

But God is bigger and more powerful than even the worst of us. God is about the business of birthing and growing His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and there is nothing we can do or say or not do or not say that will stop Him from accomplishing His purposes. We’ll see that truth in Sunday’s Scripture reading from Acts 1:15 – 26.

As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps read these verses. Note the loss of Judas among the apostles and the provision of Matthias to take his place. Consider the humble beginnings of our faith, the incredible story of Jesus’ gospel, and the apostles’ testimony of His death and resurrection. Consider the presence of Jesus’ Body (the Church) spread all over the world today. Give thanks that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by our weakness or our sin. Take heart that neither you nor I nor Jean Vanier nor anyone else in all the world can stand in the way of God’s kingdom.