Bible Text:

“Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’”                                                                                            (John 12:35-36)  

I recently read this statement: “Live your life every day in a way that would make God smile.” Is this not a worthy goal for the New Year? Might this not even be a worthy New Year’s resolution? Live your life every day in a way that would make God smile. 

Meister Eckhart, a 13^th century Christian mystic wrote these words:

“When you open yourself to God’s divinity, and allow the reality of God to enter you, God illuminates everything. Everything tastes of God and shines forth God. God continually shines in your heart.” 

Let me suggest some things that you can do in 2004 that might bring a smile to God’s countenance. 

ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT JUSTICE 

The first one might surprise you. We make God smile by getting more enthusiastic about justice. I am more convinced than ever that God has a passion for justice, and we are the instruments. Is there risk here? Yes, there is. Are justice issues controversial? Yes, they are. But justice is God’s priority, not mine. 

I have just bought two new books that I hope to read in the next two weeks. Both are by William Sloane Coffin. I also have a short videotape I hope to watch. Coffin is a contemporary prophetic voice. I want to immerse myself for a few days in his themes of justice. 

If we work for justice, God smiles. Annie Dillard wrote these words:

There is always an enormous temptation in all of life to diddle around making itsy-bitsy friends and meals and journeys for itsy-bitsy years on end…I won’t have it. The world is wilder than that in all directions, more dangerous and bitter, more extravagant and bright. We are making hay when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus. There is something deadening about going through life cautiously.[i] 

God is bigger and greater than all of our fears and cautions. Make God smile with some enthusiasm for justice. 

ACTS OF KINDNESS AND COMPASSION 

A second way to make God smile is to offer some acts of kindness and compassion every week. Perhaps this was easy to do during the Christmas season. But when the world settles in for the winter, we usually become less proactive. It’s a hard thing to do all year ‘round. 

In the Book of Acts we are told that Jesus went about doing good. At first that sounds a little simplistic, but in truth it is God’s model for daily living. 

The season of Epiphany opens up this week. Epiphany marks the visit of the Magi to see the Christ child. W. H. Auden wrote a Christmas oratorio entitled “For the Time Being.” In that piece, each of the three Wise Men gives a reason for following the star. 

The first Wise Man says, “To discover how to be truthful now is the reason I follow this star.” The second Wise man says, “To discover how to be living now is the reason I follow this star.” The third Wise Man says, “To discover how to be loving now is the reason I follow this star.” Then the three Wise Men say together in one voice, “To discover how to be human now is the reason I follow this star.” 

To make God smile is to be human—to be compassionate and kind. One writer says it this way:

“The message of Christmas is not about charity. It is not about feeling guilty for being comfortable. It is about change. It is about ordering our lives differently, whether anyone else does or not…” 

John Wesley pointed out that such change is easy to put off or ignore. We can take on a lot of challenges in the Christian life, but we tend to ignore compassion and justice. “Therefore,” said Wesley, “make compassion and justice a higher priority in your daily walk.” I think Wesley knew that to do so is to make God smile. 

HONOR GOD WITH WORSHIP 

Thirdly, we make God smile by honoring God with our worship. Again, John Wesley said, “Worship weekly unless prevented.” It is more than an obligation. It is even more than a “holy habit.” It is more than an occasional thing. 

A man came through the line to greet the preacher after a Christmas service. The minister said, ”I don’t think I’ve seen you for quite a while.”  

“Well,” replied the man, “actually, I’m in the ‘secret service.’” 

Marcus Borg writes,

In my judgment, the single most important practice is to be part of a congregation that nourishes you even as it stretches you… Participation in worship is vital for Christian formation.[ii] 

Being in worship does not get you into heaven. But it does say, “God, you are important in my life.” Worship by God’s people makes God smile. 

GIVE OF YOUR SUBSTANCE 

A fourth thing that makes God smile is when you and I give of our substance—whatever that substance may be. Giving is not payment of dues. Giving is not deduction on a tax form. Giving is not a duty. Giving is a living, breathing, joyous act of self. Giving makes God smile. 

A colleague of mine wrote recently:

People have a genuine spirit of generosity. Our nature is generous because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Our spirit of generosity is a gift from God. When we live forward to our best true selves, we share life with grace and generosity. 

Giving from your substance makes God smile. Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous person will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” 

Generosity makes God smile. 

ESTABLISH A DISCIPLINE 

And then finally, establish a discipline for all of this. Establish something to help you make it happen in your life. Find a discipline for justice, for compassion, for worship and for generosity. 

For me, that discipline has been Covenant Discipleship for almost 20 years. Someone once said, “Bad habits are an undo it yourself project.” I only know that holy habits require work and effort. Good habits make God smile. And those good habits require discipline and loving encouragement. That’s why I am encouraging you to consider Covenant Discipleship as part of your journey today. 

Recently an article in the “Christian Century” caught my attention. The article was about why so many African-Americans are turning to Islam. One of the key reasons given was this: “African-Americans have found in Islam a rigorous call to discipline.” 

Then somewhere else I read this: “Muslims have a discipline of praying five times a day. Those prayers together take about forty minutes."  This particular writer then asks, “How would we as Christians be different if we spent forty minutes a day in prayer?” 

Again, Marcus Borg writes this: “There is a great value in establishing a regular daily practice, specific time set aside each day for paying attention to God.”[iii] 

Methodism found its energy here, and still does. Methodism found its energy in the power of God’s Spirit alive in us, and in a call to disciplined living. Disciplined living makes God smile. 

What will the New Year bring? What will 2004 bring? More terroristic threats from Iraq or El Qaida or North Korea? Will the year bring a seemingly endless bogging down with military forces in so many places around the world? Will you and I feel less security at home? Will we feel financial stress or uncertainty? 

We step into a New Year where nothing is safe or certain except God. 

Give yourself without abandon to God in this New Year. Work for justice. Practice kindness. Worship eagerly and expectantly. Live a bold generosity.  

And do it with discipline and firm resolve. It will make God smile!