What’s With the Orange?

It was just a simple orange.  What was it doing on the pulpit?

Regrettably, I don’t remember the sermon that day.  But I remember the orange. I wondered. “What’s with the orange.

Months later, my family visited the same church while visiting family.  Again, we attended worship at the same church.  There it was.  The orange was sitting in the same place.  On the pulpit.  Time had taken its toll.  The orange had shrunk a bit.  It was somewhat withered and sported a few brown spots.  It was still recognizable.  Its color was still vibrant.  It was easily recognizable.  Perhaps even edible.  “What’s with the orange?”  Why was it on the pulpit?

More months went by.  Again, we visited the church. There sat the orange.  Smaller.  Its skin a bit faded.  Definitely more wrinkled.  It didn’t look all too appetizing.  Yet, there was no mistaking that it was an orange.  The question lingered, “What’s with the orange?”

A year passed.  We took our annual trip to spend a few days with family.  Again we worshipped with the same congregation in the same sanctuary and there lay the same orange.  Shrunken. Brown.  Hard.  Obviously quite dead! Certainly inedible. 

“What’s with the orange?”  I finally took a moment to question the pastor.

A year earlier, the pastor had placed the orange on the pulpit.  A sermon illustration.  The question asked, “What happens when we are disconnected from the church?”  When we try to go it alone?  No fellowship.  No Communion.  No accountability.  No encouragement.  No sharing.  Nobody to prop us up.  What happens?

Considering that orange, the answer was tangible. 

We might be able to make it a go for a while.  For a time, we might get along pretty well.  But without being connected, what becomes of our faith?  It begins to dry up.  Withers.  Shrivels up.  Loses it taste.  Fades away.  Dies. 

I don’t remember the sermon, but I remember the orange.

And I am grateful!  I’m grateful for God’s gifts!  Grateful for my Baptism.  Grateful for the weekly reminders; I am a baptized child of God.  Grateful for Holy Communion. Jesus Himself coming to me.  Forgiving me.  Making me “one” with Himself and with fellow believers.  Grateful for His Word.  Grateful for His love and forgiveness spoken into my life.  Grateful for His “Church”.  Grateful for YOU!  Grateful that He keeps me connected, healthy, and strong.

“[I] give thanks to God always for all of you, constantlymentioning you in [my] prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”     1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Thanking God for you!

Pastor Tim

• How connected are you?  Is there some way we can help you get more connected?
• Is there someone you have been missing?  What can you do to reconnect with them?
• Who do you know that needs some connections?  How can you connect with them where they’re at?