Brothers and sisters of the congregation
Today, sermon is called rave in the wasteland
Now when I say wasteland
I'm not talking about some barren desert
or some foreign land, no
I'm talking about that interior wasteland
I'm talking about that place inside
where we are most terrified
I'm talking about that place
where we are most confused and disillusioned
That place we slip into when our lives fall apart
That place where we least trust God
When I say rave in the wasteland
I'm talking about a new way
to be with our adversities, obstacles, and challenges
I'm talking about a new mindset toward these hard times
When I say rave in the wasteland
I'm talking about conjuring the spirit of joy
in the face of our greatest difficulties
When I say rave
I'm talking about looking into the eyes of the dragon
and say, "Not today"
Brothers and sisters
let us call forth the energies of gratitude and celebration
And I say, my beloveds, let the rave begin