Whoop, Whoop!

I spent the last few days in Virginia preparing for a wedding.  Most of the people involved either graduated or attend Texas A&M. The bride and groom are graduates.  All the bridesmaids are graduates, and one of the groomsmen will graduate this fall.  There were also a large number of the friends in attendance who graduated from this university, and many of the parents did as well.  I am just guessing, but maybe two thirds of the guests went to this school.

This is a unique group of people. When they talk about their experience at Texas A&M they speak of the many traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. They have hand gestures, calls, songs, and rites of passage that they all share.  Several times at the reception they would break into their school song, gather to take a photo, or circle up for a cheer.

These were kind people.  They also had strength of character that you noticed as soon as you began to talk to them at any length.  The women are strong, confident, and feisty.  They men are honorable, chivalrous, and capable.  It was great to spend a few days with them in preparation for the wedding and reception.

One of the other things they all share in common, at least those who have graduated or have nearly graduated, is that they wear a gold ring that marks them as an Aggie.  Except for the date, this ring is the same for each class.  It serves as a common link for former students.  Whenever an Aggie sees the ring on another Aggie’s hand, an instant reunion takes place.

Since I have been here, I have heard multiple stores of how wearing the ring has caused another graduate to pay for dinner, offer a place to stay for the night, or even take up a contract dispute and win the case.  The ring marks you as part of a family that takes care of one another, even if they have never met before.  This happens because they have a shared history, set of values, and core commitments.

To witness this draws you in.  You wish you had attended the school.  You wish your children had chosen to go there. Even though you did not even buy your class ring from the university from which you graduated, you wish you had the right to wear theirs, because it means something significant.

It struck me as I was experiencing this community over the past few days, that is exactly how the church is supposed to be.  After all, those who believe are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  It may not be as immediately visible as a gold ring, but it should be just as symbolic of who were are and how we are to interact with one another.

Maybe it would be easier if we all wore rings, but then again that would leave people wishing they had somehow earned the right to be able to wear it.  Instead, the seal we receive is given to us freely.  While it does set us apart, it is not intended to create a division between those who have it and those who do not.  In fact, it is supposed to do just the opposite, it is to be something that draws others in and enfold them into the community we share.

This is where I see the Aggie community being able to remind us of how we are supposed to be as the community of the church.  They are generous, kind, and loving towards one another.  If someone has a need and an Aggie can meet it, they do.  There is an unbreakable bond between them.  Their traditions, calls, and songs unify them.  They are always excited to see one another, especially if they have never met before.  In short, they are a community centered on Texas A&M and all that it stand for.  This has a very profound effect on how they live.

We, who make up the church, are a community that is centered on the person of Jesus Christ, and it should have a very profound effect on how we live.  This reality should conform us into His image.  We should become like him; generous, kind and loving.  If someone has a need and we can meet it, we should do it.  There should be an unbreakable bond between us.  Our psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs should unite us.  We should always be excited to see a brother or sister in Christ, especially if we have never met them. 

I want to be part of this kind of community and I believe others do as well. That is why when you experience an expression of that kind of community; you want to wear their ring. 

What would it be for the church to be the kind of community it is called to be?  What would it look like for us to act like people who, do not wear a ring, but have been sealed by the Spirit of the living God?  What influence would this have on the people around us?  What influence would it have on us?

I do not know about you, but I am willing to go to school to find out.

Whoop, whoop!

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5: 19 & 20