|
Discouragement and fear are part of being human. Those feelings are sometimes what propel us forward to make the great leaps that we need to make in coming closer to wholeness and then in turn being able to walk closer to Jesus. By nature, we humans are creatures of comfort. Not because we are bad, but because predictability gives us a sense of security. When we are secure we can go about the tasks of living (being parents, grandparents, doing our jobs, living our lives). Living in a continuous state of fear traumatizes people and then sometimes incapacitates them. So some security in life gives us a sense of mastery and a sense of being able to cope.
But inevitably, there will be a curveball. Sometimes it comes so fast we didn't see it coming. And sometimes we see the crisis coming, but the whole situation feels like Jell-O slipping through our fingers. Nothing we can do will stop it. It could be a death, financial problems, problems with your spouse or children, or a job crisis. You name it. Because all of us have been there. You all know what I'm talking about. We've witnessed each other’s trials. Your first question will probably be, "Why God"?
“Am I not a good person? Did I not pray hard enough, God? God, Did you not hear my pleas? Are you there Lord? Remember Me?”
“Ooh Oh. You’re mad at me God, aren’t you? I knew it.” (That’s my usual question, because I know I can be exasperating.)
Who really knows? I don't know about you but sometimes I never really know why. That makes me nuts? I bet I'm not alone. Maybe if we could fly above it like an eagle or see it from God's perspective we would understand it. Maybe it is safe to say that there are some things in life we never fully understand. Through much struggle, prayer, and wrangling the healing comes. The faith returns, but sometimes it takes a very, very, very long time.
One of the most important things I've learned in my work as a counselor is that sometimes healing and peace take its own course and cannot be rushed. Faith comes from the little miracles that occur, the loving people who serve as the body of Christ’s love and the fact that we may have merely survived the situation. And then the next step is using your pain and difficulty to give love and support to others. We help each other heal, which in turn heals us. I think of that as evangelism and ministry. What do you think? Maybe it is the best demonstration of Christianity.
Many people have shared such stories with me. And I have to say that I’m eternally grateful when I hear one. A friend of mine told me her story of losing her husband and being without money and needing to make an income. She then developed her own business. She gives great business advice now.
Another friend of mine struggled with breast cancer. She has used her experience with cancer to pray for others with cancer and keep them in the minds and hearts of others. My husband has used his struggle with polio and his work as a psychiatrist to help people with their emotional struggles. And another dear friend who had unbearable shame after an abortion she had as a young adult used this pain to do post-abortion support groups to help other women reconnect with God after similar experiences.
I have heard many other stories like this and they are a blessing. You may not know this, but your stories inspire the rest of us. So please keep telling them. Don't keep them to yourself. They are precious gifts.
So let us go back to the scripture in Luke. Wow! Jesus and the disciples were on a high. Jesus had been healing the sick, raising people from the dead, feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes. Peter, John and James witnessed the transfiguration of Christ. I imagine this cemented their view that they were in the midst of the presence of God.
Then in the blink of an eye there is a road block. Jesus reaches the Samaritan village. The people there didn’t want anything to do with Jesus or his teachings. He was rebuffed. Can you imagine the frustration and the disappointment James and John were feeling?
Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever felt like things were going great only to get stopped dead in your tracks? This is only a small example. Some of our trials feel much bigger. For Jesus it was no big deal, because he could see the larger picture. In Luke chapter 9, Jesus sends out the disciples to heal, preach and drive out demons. And Jesus instructs them "If they don’t welcome you shake the dust off your feet and move to the next village." But being human, Their first response to the rebuff is "Do you want us to do something drastic like bring fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
Can’t you just imagine this playing out? I can. How many times after a tragedy do people file law suits, stop what they are doing and get so embroiled in the problem that they can’t see the forest from the trees? In our humanness we do stop. We stop to try to make the situation fit into our perception of how things should be. We struggle and wrangle. Just like James and John, we stir around in it. We often come up with a less than adequate solution. Taking Jesus’ solution to heart doesn't seem natural. It seems odd. Maybe for us it comes after a long period of searching. The disciples didn't get it at first - making detours and seemingly wrong turns. It is not as easy as the Nike commercial says, "Just do it." Jesus didn't tell the disciples they were fired. He just sort of chastised their backsliding and went forward, showing them a different way.
But Jesus lays out his wish for us. Take the experience and move forward. Shake the dust off your shoes. Be willing to risk. Leave the stuff of the old and make way for new. The passage is harsh. "Let the dead bury the dead. Ouch. Bring about the kingdom of God. I think He's saying "Don’t let the stuff of life stop you. Make service to God your first priority.
Jesus even goes as far as to nail us hard in the end of this passage. When Jesus says, "Come follow me", one of the men says, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family." Jesus’ response is painful. He says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." That phrase is frightening and it makes me very uneasy. It would be easy to say, "Well, I’d never pass that test, so I might as well just quit here." But looking deeper into the message, I get this take on it. When you start a job, be it the job of healing, survival, or service, keep your eyes forward. Focus on God’s purpose.
It is not to stay where you are, but to look forward and to move forward. The road may be excruciatingly painful, but keep your eyes focused ahead. Keep them focused in front of you. Not behind you. God has your back, front, and sides. That is how in the end, after suffering, you can move forward with your plow.
To summarize, here is my message in 5 brief points:
- 1.) Life is hard and sometimes we are stopped in our tracks. Most probably it will take time and healing. You may get discouraged. But, The time will come to move forward.
- 2.) Read Psalm 77 again, and remember the times God has shown you his presence to get you through the tough stuff of life. When you are in despair remember God has been with you before, and though God may be silent now, God will not let you go.
- 3.) Walk Humbly with God and Share your miracles and stories of difficulty and resurrection to others. It may inspire them to have hope. And it may help you to heal as well.
- 4.) Remember to allow yourself to suffer and grieve over your difficulties. Don't deny your feelings. It will make you feel crazy.
- 5.) When the time is appropriate (and it may take quite a while), shake the dust off your shoes. Move forward in service. If you aren't quite ready when Jesus calls, get on the path when you are ready. God will be waiting for you with open arms and open doors.
May God bless all of you in your times of trial and give you the strength you need for resurrection. Be kind to yourselves and others. And know that God will not let you go.
Amen
Marcie O’Neil, MSW, LISW
Lay speaker and member of Blue Ash Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sermon for 06/27/04
Contact number: 513-395-8930
E-mail: moneil7974@aol.com
|
