Zumbro Lutheran Congregation

Early yesterday morning, when it was only 80 degrees, accompanied by my son- in-law, we ventured out to the Nationwide Tour at Somerby. As we stood at the second hole tee box area, it was between golfers, and the attendant at the tee box that started talking with us. After some conversation, he said, “See that fellow over there?” and he pointed to a person holding a golf club near a small practice area. He said, “That person has been on the PGA tour, won tons of money, but in recent years his game hasn’t quite “measured up,” and, in fact, yesterday he missed the cut by one stroke.” As I listened to the story, and also watched the golfer practicing, I wondered how he feels that he no longer has what it takes, in comparison to those around him, to measure up and be out on the course in contention for the prize money and title.

This morning our text from Amos suggests we address the question, “How do we measure up?” Certainly, not an unfamiliar thought or question. That is to say, as a church we are often asked, “How do you measure up/compare to other congregations down the road or across the river?” Or, as an individual, do you think about how you compare/measure up to others? If you ask that question, then one must ask what is the criteria, the baseline, the standard from which you are making judgments? Know well that the human tendency is to compare ourselves to those who are less mature, less competent, less able, or less faithful than us – that way we look good!

That is where Amos, God, and this plumb line come in. Now I don’t know if they will be using one of these at ASP, but this is a plumb line, simply a weight on the end of a cord, and such determines a straight line.

The Lord said to Amos, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line (measurement) in the midst of my people Israel.” The plumb line would represent a divine standard/ divine measurement – in this case, the Law of God. The question was, “Could Israel measure up to the expectation of God?”

To address that question our God did not use someone with impeccable credentials or one who had a history of presenting and processing “personal and spiritual” evaluations. He called on the shepherd, Amos. However, Amos knew the critical issues. Amos knew the lack of justice and righteousness in Israel; he knew that Israel’s worship was all show and not at all heartfelt. Bottom line, it was the ministry of Amos (God’s spokesperson) to say boldly, “Israel, today you are not measuring up; you had been a built on the foundation of God’s law, but the actions of your life are like weak mortar, which cause a building to become weak and crumble.” Or as one commentator said of the Israelites behavior, “Dirt and filth of the world pushed Israel over to topple down the slippery slope to sin.”

In our culture and community we are constantly confronted with “measuring up.” Yes, even regarding congregations I hear, “Which is the best, the biggest, the most popular?” Or, in our personal lives, how many magazines and products seek to seduce us at the level of this product/behavior/article which will allow our life to measure up better? As if to say, you need to be better against the competition. Self help books are a multimillion dollar business. I mean, if you have not read, for example, Stephen Covey’s book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, you have probably not been in the work force for many years. Such book addresses characteristics to help the reader “measure up” in our competitive society.

Amos, centuries ago and today, as we live in an entertainment and success oriented culture, to be reminded “that there is a Godly standard for life;” to be reminded of our faults and failures (and even mentioning the word sin) doesn’t measure up real well either does it? It is not good news. Yet, just as Amos, we need to be reminded our faithfulness ought not be as the Israelites “show and no go.” Nor can it be “a mile wide and an inch deep.”

The Good News is, God’s gift was this: when the world was hurting the most, when humankind was not measuring up, (in the language of a golf tournament, humankind missed the cut), not living up to the standards of a great and gracious God, God did not simply evaluate, judge and dismiss or discard.

As an Easter people, we know we celebrate that Jesus was lifted up on the cross, raised from the dead – and in doing so created a new standard of measurement.

Our symbol of life and hope is not a plumb line of judgment, but a cross of reconciliation. There is no longer only judgment but mercy, not only confession but forgiveness, not only death but life. Jesus didn’t say, “I have come that I might judge you, or measure you up, but rather in order that you might have life and have it abundantly in my name – trusting, following, obeying!”

At times you or I may need to be that Amos to speak a word of truth in a world and culture that can become much disillusioned in terms of justice, compassion, forgiveness, peace, hope. But thanks be to God, we don’t need a plumb line to “measure up” others. Our task is not that of judgment. Our mission is to invite others to be lifted up by the Christ who was raised up on a cross and was raised from the dead ….. for EVERYONE who didn’t, doesn’t, and will not measure up. His love is immeasurable, beyond definition, and deserving of our faith filled and joy filled response! May our life and witness express a strong measure of such gratitude.