Where are you?

"Where are you?" Coleman asked. "I'm right here," I quipped. "Can you prove it? he inquired dryly. He got me. We had had one of those typical Coleman Hamm/Jack Kale verbal volley matches. We did get together that day and made some hospital visits together. I appreciate his humor and his service. yet, more came of his little questions. As I lay in bed that night and even now as I compose this message, I am caught trying to answer the questions: "Where am I?" and "Can I prove it?"

Where are you? That is the question God asked Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden after they realized their nakedness. It is the question I have asked my children when playing peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek. It is the question Sandra has asked me when considering our finances. It is the question Coleman asked about location. It is the question we must ask about our progress in the journey of faith.

Where are you in your spiritual journey? Are you where you want to be? Are you on your way? Are you responding to your commitments to your church, your family, your community, and your nation? Were are you?

Most of you have made a commitment to the ministry of the Hartford First United Methodist Church in some form or another. Some of you have made pledges of your prayers, presence, gifts, and service. All of your have made a commitment of mind and soul, even if only through thought. In considering your commitment to the ministry of Christ through the Hartford First United Methodist Church, I ask you, "where are you?" As a member of this church you have committed yourself through your "prayers, presence, gifts, and service."

• Prayers -- Are you praying faithfully for the saints in the church as we attempt to answer God's call to ministry? Are you praying for those who do not yet know Christ as their Lord and Savior? Are you active in prayer for the sick, lonely, suffering and fearful? Are you prayerfully considering your own shortcomings and seeking God's grace? Are there 30 people who are in need of prayer?

• Presence -- Are you attending worship regularly? What is causing you to miss one of the 52 Sunday morning opportunities you have to worship with your family of faith? Is it sickness? Depression? Business? Vacation? Laziness? How can you be present for those who need a friend or confidant?

• Gifts -- Do you tithe? That is, do your contribute 10% of your income to the ministry of Christ through the Church? What percentage of your income do you give? Is God calling you to give more than a tithe? Is God calling you toward a tithe? I am convinced that God will bless us if we give sacrificially.

• Service -- How are you serving? Everyone has 24 hours in a day. How are you spending yours? Are you actively involved in missions, outreach, evangelism, or teaching? What can you offer? I have asked our people to consider 20 hours of service a month. I believe that within our ministry of this great church is a place for you to serve with fulfillment and purpose. Do you need help finding a place to plug in?

I pray that you consider Coleman and God's question, "Where are you?" But even more... CAN YOU PROVE IT?