Kelly - Malachi 1

"Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors..."v. 10

It is better to give up entirely than to do a half-xxxed job? If you can't give everything, give the best of what you have, put God above all else all the time, then it is better to just shut the temple doors?

The prophets are wearying. I can't imagine living with this level of extreme devotion all the time. I have lived through spurts of it, retreats and weekends and even months at a time. But my faith is often more like a marathon than a sprint. The prophets seem to be demanding a full-out sprint non-stop.

I'll admit that there have been times when my offerings have not been the best. I have taught Sunday School classes where I was less than fully prepared, for example. I have preached sermons that I knew hadn't quite clicked yet, that needed more flushing out.

In the Methodist ordination service, all pastors are asked the following questions:
"Are you pursuing perfection?" and "Do you expect to achieve it in this lifetime?" "Perfection" is a loaded methodist term just like "justification" or "grace" is in the ELCA - "Perfection" relies on the work of the Holy Spirit within us - to make us fully into what God created us to be. But that doesn't change the fact that the entire congregation has to suppress a little giggle when these questions are asked (Just as we suppress giggles when candidates are asked if they are indebted - a question with historical roots that is a little ridiculous in light of current seminary costs.)

If we are not "going on to perfection" then what are we doing? If we are not pursuing perfection, what are we about as God's people? And if we do not trust in God's grace to bring us to that place we are created to be, then what can we trust God for?

But still, it is exhausting. I pray God's forgiveness for my half-xxxed offerings. And I rely on God's grace as I go on to perfection.