And Joshua said, "but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." We join the people of Israel in this text to hear some of Joshua's closing words as he nears the end of his life. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge by this time in the history of God's chosen people. We have followed them through their wilderness wanderings … they have survived much: thirst and hunger, backsliding, fear and doubt. We watched as Joshua was chosen as the leader to succeed Moses after proving his abilities – scouting the promised land and going against the majority who said it would be impossible to conquer the promised land. It was Joshua who led the people across the Jordan River into this land and helped the Israelites settle into their new home. Now, at the end of his life he issues yet another challenge to the people of Israel to declare again where their allegiance lies – will they stick with their covenant cut between them and God, remembering to whom they belong?

In this challenge he asks them three times about their covenant … first drawing them to remember in a "once upon a time" way: "long ago your ancestors lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods … I took your father Abraham and led him … and made his offspring many." Then in their remembering the people are pressed to make a decision. Which gods will they serve? In a story that is reminiscent of the exchange between Peter and Jesus at the Galilean lakeside, the people readily answer that of course they will serve the Lord their God who brought them safely to this time and place. Peter did the same when asked by Jesus: "Peter, do you love me?" Of course. The answer is given quickly. It is cheap and easy. As we read today, and know from the exchange between Peter and Jesus, once is not enough as the challenge of the question is laid out. Peter is pushed to the point of irritation when Jesus asks again and yet again, "Peter, do you love me?" The people of Israel, represented by their elders are warned about what serving God will mean for them. Other gods had crept back into the lives. Joshua is warning the people it is not enough to simply assent to this covenant and then go on doing what they want. Once having said yes, the door to God is wide open and there is no going back: "If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then God will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good. Finally after being challenged three times, and warned of the consequences, the people of Israel give their final assent: "The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey."

"Choose this day whom you will serve." That challenge from Joshua is our challenge as we continue the faith story begun in those long ago words. The introduction to this week's reading from "Cultivating Fruitfulness" describes well the living of this challenge. On intentional faith development, Bishop Schnase writes: "Intentional refers to deliberate effort, purposeful action, and high priority. Growing in grace does not come without purposeful commitment to learning the faith and cultivating our love for God." (Cultivating Fruitfulness, page 43) Schnase seems to continue in the three-fold approach as he calls us to a life of growing in love of God: effort, action and priority. In the past few weeks I have done three weddings. A LOT of effort goes into making sure the day is perfect … but if the relationship is given no more effort, action and priority after the wedding day, the relationship dies.

In our faith life we are given many ways to live out that three fold challenge. I think of the most obvious – a baptism. Time and effort are put into that moment … invitations are issued, bulletins are printed for the baptism, in some cases a party is given … and promises are made. As I meet with families I ask them how they will live out such promises. On Sunday morning we hear the simple assent to the questions. But really what we are asking goes something like this: Do you promise to get this child up and out to church for the next 18 years even when you've had a long week and want to sleep in, or there is a soccer match, or when this cute infant has grown to be a teenager with major attitude? And when as a congregation we say yes to supporting this family what we are really saying is: We promise to follow this family, calling them when they don't show up, knocking on their door to find them so they and we can live out the promises we made. If there is nothing beyond the initial effort … that is if no action is taken, no priority given, then the initial promises grow very dim.

Most of you have by now received a letter regarding our annual stewardship campaign that contains your estimate of giving worksheet. It is the challenge to live out what is now our five-fold membership promises of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Next week we will celebrate commitment Sunday as we give thanks for the pledges received and renew our membership vows with a litany recently written for congregations to add this new membership promise to our faith-living. Again, the three-fold challenge is present. It is one thing to fill out the estimate of giving, declaring our financial support to the church. It is another thing to write out the check and keep up with your responsibility week after week, particularly in these days of financial uncertainty and when finances are stretched so thinly. This commitment too takes effort, action and priority in the ordering of our lives.

The development of our faith, our journey with God is never (thanks be to God) over. We do not simply say yes to God in however which way our journey begins and think we have arrived. To do that is something like finishing kindergarten and say we are done with learning. This deepening relationship is a life long process and there is always something more. As one of my favorite hymns rehearses our life with God and has this verse describing us as we near the end of our days: "When the evening gently closes in and you shut your weary eyes, I'll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise." Yet another reminder that there is always more to know as we learn to love God more fully. I guess the bottom line way to say it is that we never reach the place in our faith development where we can say: "been there, done that."

Effort, action and priority is our life calling as we say yes to God. The Good News is that we are called to such a life by the love God has for us … and God comes to us again and again offering a chance for new beginnings, new possibilities and always "just one more surprise." Even when we fail to live up to our promises, God is faithful and offers us the chance to begin again. This day then, let us commit ourselves anew to the promises and choices that God sets before us, and declare with Joshua: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."