According to Google, “rhythm is a pattern of recurring elements in time.” Rhythm is probably most often associated with music, but it also applies to language, nature, and the human body. For me, rhythm also expresses a harmony that creates a pleasing sensation that all is according to how it should be.
In the creation story, the Garden of Eden offers a glimpse of God’s intentions for humankind. There was harmony between God and God’s created. Unfortunately, sin entered the world. So it wasn’t long before arrogance erupted into violence. The rhythm created by God was no longer harmonious.
You and I can feel when the rhythm is off, even if we can’t put a name to it. We sense that there’s disharmony in our nation as the U.S. drifts further from its democratic roots, grounded in mutual love for God, one another, and our planet. Our leadership is quickly moving toward policies that favor the wealthy and use cruelty as a main tool.
We’re a bit like a wall that isn’t quite plumb. It’s clear that something isn’t right, and it’s not safe.
The Prophet Amos had a vision in which he saw God standing beside a wall. “Amos, what do you see?” God asked the prophet. “A plumb line,” answered Amos. God wasn’t happy with the rhythm.
Nicolas Iglesias Schneider, in a reflection on Amos’s visions, reminds us that Amos’s visions remain relevant today as we confront ecological crises and deep-seated social injustices. Millions of people are exploited, displaced, and unable to live with dignity. Nicolas, a social worker for The Methodist Church in Uruguay, concludes, “Amos’s world and our world are both systems built not on love but on calculating the usefulness of others and the planet to serve oneself.”
As our rhythms crumble, so does our sense of well-being. We often drift aimlessly. And before long, we feel lost. But we’re not lost, we’re just out of rhythm or at least the world around us seems to be.
Luke tells us that one day, when some Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling about the way Jesus would eat with people they considered to be bad company, Jesus shared stories that were sure to cause reflection.
It was common for Jesus to tell relatable stories about ordinary people and circumstances. We often refer to His stories as parables because His stories offered illustrations into the heart of God. His stories continue to impact lives centuries later, even though the specific stories are less relatable at first glance.
One of His parables came up in the first chapter of our companion book for this series. A co-worker, Edie, handed a manila envelope to Lucille as the story began. One page of the envelope’s contents was immediately recognizable. It was a copy of the official adoption certificate for her son, Ron. “Who are you?” she asked her co-worker.
Have you ever experienced a coincidence that felt less like chance and more like a well-orchestrated plan?
Lucille began working for Trinity Broadcasting Network three months earlier, answering the phone and praying for callers. She had no idea that she was working next to her son’s biological sister. What are the chances?
She and her brothers had tried unsuccessfully for ten years to get access to the sealed records. Edie decided to try one more time and was able to convince a person working at the children’s home to allow her to copy the adoption records.
Lucille’s adopted son, Ron, grew up without knowing his biological family. His parents tried their best to help him find them, but to no avail. Ron felt like he was out of rhythm. However, when he finally met his long-lost family, he discovered that some of them lived nearby.
When his sister, Edie, arrived at their home, she shared the Parable of the Lost Coin with her brother’s adopted family before revealing their connection to her brother. Like the woman in the parable, Edie searched for her brother, who had been lost from her family.
Luke tells that Jesus told the parable in response to criticism levied against Him for associating with people whom His listeners condemned. Jesus didn’t try to defend their actions, nor did he condemn or even disagree with His critics. Jesus told stories.
“Suppose you had 100 sheep and one of them was missing. A woman had ten coins and misplaced one.” Surely, His listeners could identify with one or both of these stories. “You would go and search for the lost sheep, wouldn’t you? The woman celebrated finding her lost coin.” Of course, she did.
Jesus drew a parallel between searching for something of value that is lost and how God doesn’t give up on any of us when we’re lost. Of course, the word “lost” can describe a wide range of possibilities. The word is the past participle of the word “lose.”
But if we lose our job or a friend, we know where the job is or isn’t. We know if our friend died or moved away, at least in most cases. However, if we lose our keys, we may have clues like where and when we last saw them, but if we know where they are, they’re not lost.
Similarly, the lost Jesus is referring to a relatively wide range of possibilities. Lost persons don’t necessarily know they’re lost. For example, I suspect Jesus could see that His critics were a bit lost. Oh, they thought they knew exactly where they were. Yet, they didn’t seem to know who was speaking to them or whom they were complaining about.
Jesus searches for the lost until they are found. God never gives up on any of us, even when we have given up on God. Eventually, we are found, and if we are fortunate enough to be discovered while still alive on this planet, we find joy in knowing who we are and whose we are.
Suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them. What does she do? In the same way, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:8-10
Once we allow Jesus to find us, our rhythm is restored. We can feel the harmony even when the world around us is off-key. Poet David Wagoner, in his poem Lost, advises, “Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here.”
You are not lost, but you could be a bit off rhythm.
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This is a reminder that we publish a weekly newsletter called the Circuit Rider. You can request this publication by email by sending a request to FlintAsburyUMC@gmail.com, or let us know when you send a message through our website. We post an archive of past editions on our website under Connect – choose Newsletters.
Pastor Tommy
Our series was inspired by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, LeAnn Thieman. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers: 101 Stories of Hope, Miracles, Faith, Divine Intervention, and the Power of Prayer. Cos Cob, CT: Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2011.
Nicolas Iglesias Schneider. “The Justice of Reconciliation.” The Upper Room Disciplines 2025. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2025, Pg 374.
David Wagoner. Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems. © 1999 by David Wagoner.