The Sundays after Pentecost can seem to drag on and on at times. This is where we learn again that our faith journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Sure, we’ve heard that before and maybe even could say we know it. But what does it mean?
The first thing it means is that we won’t get too far in our discipleship journey on enthusiasm alone. There will be times when we’ve hit a dry spell, or when we find ourselves in a desert. And as the examples in our chosen text, grumbling and fear will be ever around us and even within us at times.
Enthusiasm wanes and emotions come and go. It takes discipline to sustain the pace as we walk our faith journey. It takes commitment and the will to keep putting one foot in front of another. The other truth is that we are not alone as we continue along our discipleship path.
There is the ever-present Spirit of God who sustains and enlivens us the more we seek God in our daily lives, as we proceed on the long haul of faith. God is with us. Secondly, there is a community of faith that encourages us, mentors us, learns with us and even from us at times. We are in relationship with the church in the long haul.
Indeed, we might argue that the only way we can make it for the long haul is together. There’s a saying that sums it up: “if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” We are in community as we journey, especially for the long haul.
This morning, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. This sermon highlights the grumbling of those who have been in the faith for the long haul. They are complainers; they feel they deserve more than the others. They started out well but got into trouble on the marathon journey.
Come, the journey continues.