(Each Saturday, a faith leader offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
Several years ago, my family traveled to Walt Disney World in Florida. Even though it was considered a “low time” in terms of attendance, there were people everywhere! One evening, on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom after a parade, we found ourselves trying to go against the rush of people. We were trying to make our way out of the park while everyone else was trying to jockey themselves into the best viewing spots for the nightly fireworks. Trying to go the opposite way against this crowd was a daunting task. Finally, we reached a point where Disney cast members were directing people and this helped to thin out the crowd, but still people pushed and crushed in on the sides. We were surrounded by people, so imagine my surprise when I heard a woman behind me loudly saying, “EXCUSE ME!” I thought there was an emergency, or that she was trying to get someone’s attention, she couldn’t be bold enough to be trying to get through the crowd. Even though the whole sea of people was moving in the same direction, she was tapping people on the shoulder, pushing people out of her way and boldly demanding that people get out of her way. I watched as she made her way through the crowd, parting the sea of people like Moses. Then I watched as she brazenly walked into the Candy Shoppe and started picking out candy. I found myself thinking things like “Who does she think she is?” and “Why does she think that her mission to buy candy is more important than my mission to get back to the hotel?” I found myself getting angry. Once we had managed our way through the throngs of people and were on the bus back to our hotel, I found my thoughts drifting back towards this woman, and then I realized that I too was being self-centered and ridiculous.
Who was I to think that I was more important than her? Who was I to be so ruffled by another person’s inconsiderate actions?
That is what sin is really about — a self-centered thinking that doesn’t allow us to think or look beyond ourselves. We don’t talk much about sin. At least, we don’t talk about our sin. We are usually quick to out the sins of others, but we don’t want to talk or even think about our own sin. Whether it is gossip, or lying, or even not keeping the Sabbath, the root of turning away from God is usually found in a turning too far inwards. Sin happens when we take our focus from God and turn it instead on ourselves. Sin begins that moment when we make ourselves the center of our own universe.
Jesus clearly tells us that we are called to be humble, to put others ahead of ourselves. The way Disney controlled the crowds was to have the people on the sidewalks walking in one direction and the people on the street walking in the other direction. In the middle were cast members who stood, arms out and encouraging people not to push, reminding them that there was plenty of time to get where they were going. These cast members offer direction, guidance and help.
As we enter the period of Lent, we have the opportunity to remove ourselves from the push to go in one direction or the other, and instead to stand firm, with arms, minds and hearts open, offering encouragement, direction and guidance.
The Central Congregational Church of Orange, a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC), is located at 93 South Main St. We currently offer three opportunities for worship. The first is a video worship service posted at 10:15 a.m. on YouTube, our church website, CentralChurchOrange.com or on our church Facebook page. We offer a drive-in style worship at 9:15 a.m. in the church parking lot and a 10:15 a.m. service in our sanctuary (masks required). Our Cellar Closet Thrift Shop is now open Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, please call 978-544-6895, email Revmegan@aol.com and be sure to like us on Facebook.