From the pulpit: Realize the power you have to affect the world

It has been a long hot summer already, even beyond temperature. The virus and all its complications, the tensions between neighbors and friends of race and politics, the continued loss of certainty and joyful events have heated us all up. All of these tensions raise our temperature and cooling off takes more than simply jumping in a pool.

Temperature-wise things are heating up in the city and undoubtedly things will heat up beyond even what we’ve seen so far. When it is this hot and hotter, we begin to realize what a tiny range of the world we live in. The percentage difference in our climate between comfort and crisis is very small. A 20 degree shift in temperature can be catastrophic and I can promise you we notice the difference between 70 degrees and 90 here on Rock Street. In reality, the range of temperature that we all live in is actually just a narrow sliver, a few dozen degrees and we freeze or sweat.

Even spiritually and emotionally we notice the vast power in tiny shifts of thinking and living. The difference between action and inaction is often just as razor thin as the few changes in degree we are talking about. We all know how significantly small words at the right time can shift our realities and relationships. If you don’t believe me walk down the street and say “I love you” to everyone you meet on that block, trust me, you will make an impact. Think about the nuances used to communicate meaning within cultures, languages, and contexts and we become aware of how very narrow our range of operation is. As vast as they may seem in comparison to the universe of expression, we live in tiny spheres of existence.

To me, the gift is we can affect our world and, in reality, are powerful beyond measure. The gift of our small sphere of influence is that we are blessed with great impact in our lives. Each of us has the ability to affect the world we live in profoundly. Each of us have the ability to make a difference to the people around us because the smallest of acts, smiling at someone as we walk down the street, or being gracious in conflict can raise the spiritual temperature just a few degrees, and bring about a real warmth that is beyond the measure of any thermometer.

This week my hope is that you will remember how powerful you are to affect your world. God has given you not only the gift of freewill, but a world in which that freewill means something. Our efforts are not an empty echo against a backdrop of an uncaring creation but they are the very purpose that shapes the meaning of creation itself. No storm, no virus, no decree and no economic reality change your agency. Every expression of love and each doing of truth brings all of us into a more heavenly sphere and even more agency, able to experience a wider and more delicious slice of our divine humanity. The power to change the temperature of our life and our city and our relationship resides with each one of us.

Rev. Andy Stinson

Senior Minister

First Congregational Church of Fall River