To many people, Jesus is a role model, a teacher, or a comforter. They don’t seem to realize that he is much more than that. Think of this: Every week in church we recite the Apostles Creed, but does anyone actually think about its meaning? Or do they just silently think to themselves, “Who are these ‘Apostles,’ and where do they think they got permission to write a creed?” If you take the time to look it over, you’ll find it’s a statement you are making that says you believe Christ was fully human, fully God, and fully divine all at once. Not 1/3 of each, but rather 100% divine, 100% human, and 100% God. That’s a lot to try and understand. Then you get into what he’s done; total sacrifice for everything. He never thought of himself. You can read the whole Bible cover to cover and never find a time when he says,” I deserve this” or “ I deserve that.” Jesus is definitely a role model for us. Unfortunately, it is very hard to even comprehend living a God-like life. As a matter of fact, I can bet that a bunch of you will go home today and not think twice about anything you’ve heard here this morning until next week when you remember you’re supposed to come back. I know, because I’ve definitely been guilty of it. If you remember, a few weeks ago Bishop Snyder was here. He gave a sermon that dealt mostly with the topic and concern of doubt. I find myself doubting a lot. Whenever I am told of anything, I try to see how it works or where it comes from to better understand it. Unfortunately, it is basically impossible to be able to explain the logic of God, but that is what faith is: being able to believe in something without reasoning. As for me, I don’t understand half this stuff. When I get to heaven, I’m going to have a book of questions 5 million pages thick, but that’s what it’s all about. Jesus makes you ponder many things, but he is an encyclopedia of wisdom. That is what Jesus means to me.
How have I grown in God’s Grace These past Few Years?
I’ve been coming to this church for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’ve been here just as long as Pastor Gysan. I was the first baby he ever visited in the hospital as Pastor of this church. From then on, it was sitting in the pews, looking at the back of the one in front of me, because I wasn’t tall enough to see over the pew yet, while quietly eating some hard, loud, honey-nut cheerios and enjoying the sensation of being lost in my own little world. That was the life. Since then, I’ve been through at least eight years of Sunday school. In the lower grades, I remember Sunday school as being a place to play with glue and eat goldfish. Being just a little kid, Christmas pageants were right there with it: Go to church, sit around in an itchy sheep and/or Joseph costume. Slowly, I started to realize these lessons we were learning had meanings. Just this last summer, I went to work camp. You probably hear this from every confirmation student who’s ever been up here, but it really was a great experience. Before we left, I thought it would just be some churchy event where we would go work, pray, and sweat a lot. Now don’t get me wrong, we sweated a lot on that trip, especially the guys I was with. The thing is, it was the first time I felt anything really special about the meaning of the church. That feeling has continued to grow since then from being involved in other church activities. As for Confirmation, it’s has been a big history class. I’ve learned so much more than I thought possible, but it just brings me one step closer to fully understanding God.
Why do I wish to affirm my Faith in Baptism at This Time?
I’d like to begin this portion of my faith statement with a story. My great-uncle Charles Brown always had wanted to be confirmed. It was something he had wanted to do all his life. When everyone else was being confirmed at our age, he had a sickness and was unable to participate. He was finally confirmed at the age of 90. I find it a little ironic he only died about six months afterwards. Was God trying to tell me something? I think being confirmed is something everyone needs to do in their lives. I feel I am ready now because I have a much better understanding of the Bible and my faith than ever before. I have matured in many ways since beginning lessons and feel I am ready to take on my own responsibility for it now. Not only has confirmation increased my knowledge of the Lutheran view of Christianity, but it has also interested me in learning about and understanding other viewpoints. I am ready to progress to the next step in my faith experience.
How am I and How do I Intend to use my Gifts, Talents, and Abilities for the Ministry of the Church?
I really enjoy music, and find that it is a wonderful way to be able to help the church. Currently, I participate in the adult choir, accompany the children’s choir, have cantered, and played music during the offering. I love music and plan to continue spreading God’s word through it. In addition, my family has made it a point to train me in many construction trade skills. I expect that I will also find many ways and opportunities to utilize these talents and abilities for the ministry of the church. Besides this, I have been to work camp and participated in multiple church programs and fundraisers and plan to continue with them for the good of others.
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