promises, promises

I apologize for my lack of blogging. It is harder, not to mention more expensive, to find an internet connection over here. I just arrived in Rome but I wanted to reflect on my time in Moscow. After visiting Voronezh, I spent two days in Moscow. It was a really important time. I had a chance to meet and speak briefly with the United Methodist bishop of Russia, along with a couple of pastors in the region. I visited the United Methodist seminary in Russia, visited a class, met ALL of the 7 students, and had time to sit and talk with the director of the seminary. I then visited several important Russian Orthodox churches in Moscow.

But it was one church that really made me think. Called the church of the Assumption, this beautiful Russian Orthodox sanctuary sits in the shadow of the old palaces of the tsars and emperors inside the Kremlin walls. It was here that each new ruler would be coronated. Walking in is an experience in and of itself. With no pews inhibiting movement (they worship standing up) one can walk all around. And you must. For all around the walls, columns, and ceilings are frescoes of icons that are hundreds of years old.

As you turn to leave, there is an enormous fresco above the door depicting Jesus at the last judgment. Below him is a serpent, on one side images depicting hell, on the other side heaven. Intrigued I ask my guide about the painting. She explained to me that when people come to church, they usually do two things. The first is people pray to God with thanksgivings and petitions. The second is they make promises to God, commitments of some sort. “God takes our promises seriously,” she explained. Therefore the fresco above the door reminds people that they ought to remember there promises, not just inside the church, but especially as they leave.

What powerful words. As I left, indeed for the rest of the day, I thought about the state of the promises I have made. Ones made to God, to my family, to my church, to myself. As you read I hope you reflect on the state of your promises. After all, God takes our promises seriously, and so should we.