Most of us probably left work early on September 11, 2001.

Most of us probably left work early on September 11, 2001.

In shock we were eager to get with our families and we were glued to the news, afraid of what might happen next.

Construction on the new house going up beside ours had cut through our cable so we had no television reception. Possibly a mercy.

Fifteen years later, I wonder how I might be different. How might we all be different? How might the Church of Jesus Christ in our nation be different?

This week at the Gathering Church we will look at how Jesus has called us to live in the world. In Christ we have been given a new identity as described in 1 Peter 2:9,10. I sometimes think that we should review these verses annually.

Salvation includes a calling, a purpose that has the potential to affect everything in this broken world. Although, our calling starts with an irony: first we have to become aliens in our own world. To love and serve the world best we must first know that the world is no longer our home.

We have been called to be priests to the world on behalf of Christ. Appointed priest before everything else.

Christ is the hope of the world.

But, we are the hope of Christ in the world.

What a calling.

May we experience this Sunday a renewed since of urgency as we come together.

Hope to see you there.

Mark