On Sunday, we gathered for worship amid more heat and sunshine. The sermon was the second in this year's "Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series," focusing on the new Pixar animated film, "Brave." From this new fairy tale set in ancient Scotland, we focused on the maturing of the Scottish king's teenage daughter, Princess Merida, as she learns to balance her need for independence with her responsibilities to her family and the kingdom.
Listening to the sermon myself, I feel that I may have sounded too one-sided. In an attempt to focus on the responsibility that people have to learn from previous generations -- a responsibility described for Christians in Hebrews 11 -- I spoke very little about growing into our individual gifts. I believe both are necessary for all people, and I believe that most teenagers and young adults spend the years between age 12 and 28 learning those varied and important lessons in general. However, I worry that many Christians never really learn either of those lessons very deeply.
It is an interesting challenge for all people of faith, isn't it? How much are we to be guided by the legacy and teaching of those who came before us? And how much are we to seek out God's specific gifts and insights for each individual, cultivating them and trying to live them out fully?
If you missed the sermon on Sunday, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you would like to share it with someone, you can find an audio recording here.
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