Yes, I’ll be wearing my witch’s hat today!
Halloween is often the favorite holiday – ranking right up there with Christmas. With Christmas, however, there is common knowledge about the religious origins of the holiday. For too many, Halloween is just a dress-up-get-candy celebration.
So I am inviting us all to remember and reclaim the religious gift of Halloween. Halloween is the day before November 1, All Saints Day. And centuries before there were terrorists or suicide bombers or an economic downturn, Halloween was an acknowledgment that if the ghosts and goblins were going to be able to scare people, they had better turn loose in full force before the influence of the saints was lifted up. Because the powers of darkness knew that once the saints were remembered, the forces of darkness would be rendered powerless. The ghosts, gremlins and goblins would have to scare people while they had the opportunity: All Hallow’s Eve (All Saints Eve) was their best shot.
Isn’t it interesting that even the powers of darkness recognize the supreme superior power of God and God’s goodness when the people who follow God so often forget? In the Gospels, the demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God when the disciples weren’t so sure. (Mark’s gospel testifies to this dynamic repeatedly.)
From what I hear, I’d say that those who follow God are very much impressed by the powers of darkness. People are deeply fearful (apparently, we trusted in our prosperity more than we realized); anxious (apparently, we haven’t trusted God as much as we thought) and discouraged (apparently, we have seen the storm more than the Savior). No one has to explain to me the reasons for despair. The ministry of superintendency brings me face to face with harsh, discouraging realities daily. I understand completely the temptation for negativity to creep into shaping my attitudes and encounters. Our culture is drowning in negativity, fear and anxiety.
That’s why Halloween – All Hallow’s Eve—can be such a transformational day for us. And no, I don’t mean a costume. Halloween is the day when Christians laugh in confidence in the face of fear and evil. Halloween is the day when Christians affirm that the ghosts and goblins and gremlins had better fly around and do their worst because once All Saints Day dawns tomorrow – once we put our minds on the goodness and faith and encouragement and light we have received from the saints—the forces of evil have no power over us. Halloween is the day for us to say to the forces of evil: Give it your best shot. You will still fall short once the power of God is lifted up in the lives of godly people. Halloween is the day when we LIVE the words Martin Luther penned in his majestic hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”:
“And tho’ this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim: we tremble not for him His rage we can endure. For lo! His doom is sure. One little word shall fell him!”
This fearful, negative world of ours needs us to give witness to the true meaning – the original meaning of Halloween: Christians need not be afraid of anything. We have an unshakable confidence—characterized, because it is a gift of God, by humility and peace. God has won a cosmic victory over evil in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and this victorious God dwells in us. We should gladly affirm today that God’s goodness is the ground of creation and that we are creatures made in the image of God.
I have just finished reading Bishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter, Mpho Tutu’s book: Made for Goodness and Why This Makes a Difference. I encourage you to read this deeply spiritual testimony. As you know, they have personally faced some of the world’s deepest powers of darkness in the brutal racism of South Africa. In this life-giving testimony, they write: “God does dwell in us. This is the essential truth of who we are. We are creatures made in the image of God. At the core of our being is goodness. That is not to deny the reality of sin. Sin is real. Depravity and cruelty are real. Evil exists. But sin, cruelty and evil are not our essential nature. They are aberrations. What is normative is goodness. Wrongness runs against the grain of creation. Evil is so contrary to our nature that we must construct justifications to allow ourselves to do what we know to be wrong and cruel…Cruelty and spite are not the essential qualities of human beings. They are departures from the human norm.”
Oh, that this Halloween could be the day when we face fears, anxieties, and the evil in this world with the light and victory of Christ who lives in us. What cause for celebration when we fix our mind firmly on the goodness of God and God’s triumph over every evil. To personalize the celebration, on Halloween, let us draw up a list of saints of our lives—those who have shown us God’s love and encouraged the best in us. We are not denying the harsh realities of life or the evil of this world – just celebrating the victory of God and putting evil in its rightful, secondary place. Restoring God’s goodness to its rightful center of our hearts can make all the difference. Happy Halloween, indeed!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Finally! The answer to a nagging question
Finally, I have figured it out!
I have never learned how to reconcile the difference between the very plain teaching of the Bible and the opposite behavior I see too often in church people. When church people are angry, their actions often don’t resemble the Golden Rule, the Great Commandment, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, admonitions to work for unity in the Body of Christ or anything else in the Bible. Forgiveness? Forget it. Kindness? You’ve got to be kidding. Mutual love? Not on your life. Telling the truth? Oh, please! Loving friends is formidable…loving enemies? Impossible. Don’t even mention it. When people get their feelings hurt, I have had the idea that the life, teaching and example of Jesus goes out the window.
For the longest time, this has upset me.
Now, I believe I have figured it out.
There is another ancient manuscript that people give allegiance to. That has to be the answer. It’s the only explanation I can think of. I have not seen the written manuscript, but I have seen the lives of those shaped by it vividly enough to reconstruct it. Like the book of James or I John, this is a powerful, but not a long text. From what I see, this is how the sacred text reads:
Chapter 1:
There is nothing more important than your opinion. When someone disagrees with your opinion, you should mow them down no matter who gets hurt in the crossfire. You need to be heard. When your feelings are hurt, that’s an injustice that demands attention. Do not hesitate to speak up, do not take time to choose your words carefully, do not worry about who will be affected by what you say. Remember: there is nothing more important than your opinion. Write that reality on your heart. Do not stop attacking and complaining until you have consumed the attention of everyone around (and I do mean EVERYONE).
Chapter 2:
Talk ABOUT people instead of talking TO them. You will find that your cause is stronger if you only talk about people instead of wasting your time talking TO them. Don’t worry about having your facts straight or acknowledging that there may be more to the story than you know. You know how you feel. And remember, there is nothing more important than your opinion. You have been hurt and if others get hurt in the crossfire, that’s just the price that has to be paid for the transgression. Maybe people will think twice before doing that again. Remember, if the others hadn’t hurt your feelings, all this would never have happened. So, if people get hurt, it’s not your fault.
Chapter 3:
Remember that blaming is a very effective way for people to see how deeply you have been wronged. People won’t be galvanized to support you unless they see you have been wronged. Tell your story with passion and tell it to as many people as possible. Don’t get sidetracked by the facts and don’t spend your time with people who dare to question your version. You must get attention to your cause. Remember, this is all about you.
Chapter 4:
And, in addition, it is all about your family. Family is important. So if anyone in your family gets their feelings hurt, that’s the same as hurting your feelings. It doesn’t matter whether the family member was right or wrong, if somebody hurts their feelings, they have hurt your feelings too. Remember: speak up, blame others, spread the word about the injustice, don’t feel the need to stick too closely to what actually important. Feelings got hurt. That’s what really matters. Family is important. Don’t let people get away with hurting your family’s feelings.
Chapter 5:
When the problem is about something at church, be sure you tell everyone how many years you and your family have been members of the church. That’s how people will know what a serious problem this is. And don’t stop complaining with the people directly involved. Register your complaint with every church official you can think of. Remember, what could be more important? Wrongs must be righted! This is especially true if your preacher has done something to hurt your feelings. Hurting your feelings is a terrible violation of the minister’s purpose to make sure everyone is happy. Such a transgression cannot be ignored—especially for someone who has been in this church as long as you have. There’s always hope that if you can be successful in stirring up enough dissatisfaction, you have a chance of getting your preacher moved. That will teach everyone the consequences of hurting your feelings.
Chapter 6:
Finally – and of great importance—remember that your allegiance to these sacred texts supercedes any other teaching! Some people will try to appeal to other sacred texts – don’t get sidetracked! This is the supreme sacred text and don’t you forget it. And don’t let anyone else forget it. Amen
So here it is: the manuscript of the ancient sacred text. I am pretty sure I have written it out accurately from what I see in the lives of its faithful followers.
I have never learned how to reconcile the difference between the very plain teaching of the Bible and the opposite behavior I see too often in church people. When church people are angry, their actions often don’t resemble the Golden Rule, the Great Commandment, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, admonitions to work for unity in the Body of Christ or anything else in the Bible. Forgiveness? Forget it. Kindness? You’ve got to be kidding. Mutual love? Not on your life. Telling the truth? Oh, please! Loving friends is formidable…loving enemies? Impossible. Don’t even mention it. When people get their feelings hurt, I have had the idea that the life, teaching and example of Jesus goes out the window.
For the longest time, this has upset me.
Now, I believe I have figured it out.
There is another ancient manuscript that people give allegiance to. That has to be the answer. It’s the only explanation I can think of. I have not seen the written manuscript, but I have seen the lives of those shaped by it vividly enough to reconstruct it. Like the book of James or I John, this is a powerful, but not a long text. From what I see, this is how the sacred text reads:
Chapter 1:
There is nothing more important than your opinion. When someone disagrees with your opinion, you should mow them down no matter who gets hurt in the crossfire. You need to be heard. When your feelings are hurt, that’s an injustice that demands attention. Do not hesitate to speak up, do not take time to choose your words carefully, do not worry about who will be affected by what you say. Remember: there is nothing more important than your opinion. Write that reality on your heart. Do not stop attacking and complaining until you have consumed the attention of everyone around (and I do mean EVERYONE).
Chapter 2:
Talk ABOUT people instead of talking TO them. You will find that your cause is stronger if you only talk about people instead of wasting your time talking TO them. Don’t worry about having your facts straight or acknowledging that there may be more to the story than you know. You know how you feel. And remember, there is nothing more important than your opinion. You have been hurt and if others get hurt in the crossfire, that’s just the price that has to be paid for the transgression. Maybe people will think twice before doing that again. Remember, if the others hadn’t hurt your feelings, all this would never have happened. So, if people get hurt, it’s not your fault.
Chapter 3:
Remember that blaming is a very effective way for people to see how deeply you have been wronged. People won’t be galvanized to support you unless they see you have been wronged. Tell your story with passion and tell it to as many people as possible. Don’t get sidetracked by the facts and don’t spend your time with people who dare to question your version. You must get attention to your cause. Remember, this is all about you.
Chapter 4:
And, in addition, it is all about your family. Family is important. So if anyone in your family gets their feelings hurt, that’s the same as hurting your feelings. It doesn’t matter whether the family member was right or wrong, if somebody hurts their feelings, they have hurt your feelings too. Remember: speak up, blame others, spread the word about the injustice, don’t feel the need to stick too closely to what actually important. Feelings got hurt. That’s what really matters. Family is important. Don’t let people get away with hurting your family’s feelings.
Chapter 5:
When the problem is about something at church, be sure you tell everyone how many years you and your family have been members of the church. That’s how people will know what a serious problem this is. And don’t stop complaining with the people directly involved. Register your complaint with every church official you can think of. Remember, what could be more important? Wrongs must be righted! This is especially true if your preacher has done something to hurt your feelings. Hurting your feelings is a terrible violation of the minister’s purpose to make sure everyone is happy. Such a transgression cannot be ignored—especially for someone who has been in this church as long as you have. There’s always hope that if you can be successful in stirring up enough dissatisfaction, you have a chance of getting your preacher moved. That will teach everyone the consequences of hurting your feelings.
Chapter 6:
Finally – and of great importance—remember that your allegiance to these sacred texts supercedes any other teaching! Some people will try to appeal to other sacred texts – don’t get sidetracked! This is the supreme sacred text and don’t you forget it. And don’t let anyone else forget it. Amen
So here it is: the manuscript of the ancient sacred text. I am pretty sure I have written it out accurately from what I see in the lives of its faithful followers.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Needs next door
I was broken-hearted to learn this week that my next door neighbor had been in the hospital for over a week. I was sad that he had been hospitalized...but, even more so that I hadn't known he was there. I would have gone for a visit, sent flowers, checked on his wife -- something.
I love my home. But my neighbors have made my life such a joy. They are thoughtful and helpful and friendly -- really special people. I am so grateful for them.
I was reminded of something important. There is always more going on than we know -- even with those nearby.
When I served a local church, I always knew every Sunday that people were sitting next to people who had struggles/challenges that were not yet public. At times, I cringed when I heard careless, casual comments that cut others to the core. Those comments -- which people often thought harmless, made it harder for people to share their hearts and deep struggles.
Pastors are often advised to speak in conversations as if everyone in their congregation is related. Many times, most people are related! But, even if they are not, it is so wise to speak thoughtfully! We never know the burdens people are carrying on the inside.
How much more loving we might be--better neighbors and better Christians-- if we remember that there is so much more going on in the lives of those around us than what we see from the outside.
I love my home. But my neighbors have made my life such a joy. They are thoughtful and helpful and friendly -- really special people. I am so grateful for them.
I was reminded of something important. There is always more going on than we know -- even with those nearby.
When I served a local church, I always knew every Sunday that people were sitting next to people who had struggles/challenges that were not yet public. At times, I cringed when I heard careless, casual comments that cut others to the core. Those comments -- which people often thought harmless, made it harder for people to share their hearts and deep struggles.
Pastors are often advised to speak in conversations as if everyone in their congregation is related. Many times, most people are related! But, even if they are not, it is so wise to speak thoughtfully! We never know the burdens people are carrying on the inside.
How much more loving we might be--better neighbors and better Christians-- if we remember that there is so much more going on in the lives of those around us than what we see from the outside.
Friday, September 23, 2011
I Love Lucy
Anyone who has a wonderful mother has a lifelong blessing. I am one of those people. Every day, I thank God for my remarkable mother, Rosalie DeYoung Shepherd.
Not only did I have the most amazing, loving mother. My mother’s lifelong best friend doubled the blessing. Eighty-nine years ago today, the gift of another wonderful woman came into the world. Today, I am thanking God for my “second mother”, Lucy Brooks.
Lucy and her husband, Irvin were members of Cooper Memorial Methodist Church when my father was appointed to be the pastor there in 1949. Their first child, Terry, was born on Christmas day of 1949. I was the firstborn in my family 6 months later. The four of them became fast friends. After my parents moved from Louisville, the friendship continued, deepened and grew. It was no ordinary friendship.
Every single week, my mother wrote a letter to Lucy about our family. Every week, Lucy wrote my mother a letter about the Brooks family. Oh how I have wished that they saved those letters! That would be the complete, unabridged history of our families.
Even though the firstborns have grown up in different geographical places since we were 2 years old, there was a common denominator in the love Lucy had for both of us. Every year on May 28 –every single year—I have had a birthday card from Lucy. “Love you much” has been her signature “sign off” to cards and phone calls and visits.
When my mother had surgeries in the two years before her death, Lucy was on my “first-to-call” list along with mother’s blood sisters. She and my mother were sisters of the heart. They had a special gift of loving each other…and loving everyone in their lives.
Lucy has given me that precious gift of unconditional love that is so rare for humans but so typical of God. Throughout my life, I have always known that Lucy loved me…loved me unconditionally. Could I have disappointed her? Yes, I’m sure that was possible. She has very strong principles. Lucy was a teacher and she spent her life building up the character of children in the classroom and everyone she knew. But I have had the treasured experience of knowing that nothing – absolutely nothing—would keep her from loving me. Her husband, children, grandchildren, friends who live closer to her experienced it even more. That’s a God-love. And an indescribable blessing.
Lucy is 89 today. I don’t need a special occasion to be thankful for her life. But on this day of her birth, I am especially grateful. “I Love Lucy” is more than a funny TV show of my childhood. It is the affirmation of my heart. Love you much, Lucy. More than you will ever know, your love has made a difference in my life.
Not only did I have the most amazing, loving mother. My mother’s lifelong best friend doubled the blessing. Eighty-nine years ago today, the gift of another wonderful woman came into the world. Today, I am thanking God for my “second mother”, Lucy Brooks.
Lucy and her husband, Irvin were members of Cooper Memorial Methodist Church when my father was appointed to be the pastor there in 1949. Their first child, Terry, was born on Christmas day of 1949. I was the firstborn in my family 6 months later. The four of them became fast friends. After my parents moved from Louisville, the friendship continued, deepened and grew. It was no ordinary friendship.
Every single week, my mother wrote a letter to Lucy about our family. Every week, Lucy wrote my mother a letter about the Brooks family. Oh how I have wished that they saved those letters! That would be the complete, unabridged history of our families.
Even though the firstborns have grown up in different geographical places since we were 2 years old, there was a common denominator in the love Lucy had for both of us. Every year on May 28 –every single year—I have had a birthday card from Lucy. “Love you much” has been her signature “sign off” to cards and phone calls and visits.
When my mother had surgeries in the two years before her death, Lucy was on my “first-to-call” list along with mother’s blood sisters. She and my mother were sisters of the heart. They had a special gift of loving each other…and loving everyone in their lives.
Lucy has given me that precious gift of unconditional love that is so rare for humans but so typical of God. Throughout my life, I have always known that Lucy loved me…loved me unconditionally. Could I have disappointed her? Yes, I’m sure that was possible. She has very strong principles. Lucy was a teacher and she spent her life building up the character of children in the classroom and everyone she knew. But I have had the treasured experience of knowing that nothing – absolutely nothing—would keep her from loving me. Her husband, children, grandchildren, friends who live closer to her experienced it even more. That’s a God-love. And an indescribable blessing.
Lucy is 89 today. I don’t need a special occasion to be thankful for her life. But on this day of her birth, I am especially grateful. “I Love Lucy” is more than a funny TV show of my childhood. It is the affirmation of my heart. Love you much, Lucy. More than you will ever know, your love has made a difference in my life.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thanking God for the gift of grandchildren!
There are so many reasons in life to be discouraged. That's more true in this ministry than any other of my life.Balance is precious...and nothing is a more powerful balancer than the pure love of grandchildren. And no one has more adorable grandchildren than I do!
The world is so full of things to be discouraged about. No matter what the job, negativity is everywhere. God has given us an abundance of things to be thankful for...but those are not the things that ordinarily make the headlines to draw our attention. The dramas of work are often penetrated by negative situations and people. So I am not only thanking God for the extraordinary gifts of unconditional love....and letting that love give fresh eyes for the less obvious -- but richly present positive balances God builds into every day.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Living Psalm 23
After church today, a man told me he was very impressed that I could recite Psalm 23 without reading it. Being able to say the 23rd Psalm isn’t the fruit of laborious memorization. I’ve read it so many times I can’t help but know it by heart.
I’ve not just read the 23rd Psalm. I’ve lived it. This morning, I shared with the congregation one experience of living Psalm 23:5,6 in one appointment. A man in my congregation was not happy about having a female preacher. It wasn’t personal because he was mad about it before ever meeting me. But he didn’t stop with grousing about having a woman as a preacher. The better things went in the ministry of the church, the madder he got. He did everything he could to stir up criticism and opposition to me. He told lies about me and constantly looked for something to criticize. He sat in worship arms crossed on his chest with a frozen scowl on his face every Sunday. And, just as often, I lived the truth and beauty of the psalmist’s affirmation: “Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over.” Each Sunday, God gave me the gift of a message, the high calling of the ministry and a full cup of love and assurance.
Before I left the lunch after worship today, one man stopped me and asked me if that man in my sermon ever changed his mind. Although my pastoral life is filled with precious experiences where people (male and female) DID change their mind, this isn’t one of them. “No,” I said. “As far as I know, he never did stop opposing me.”
But, quickly, I realized that answer was incomplete. “The important thing is that his hard heart didn’t harden mine.” Was it hard to face the constant undermining, the relentless negative presence? Yes. Only God knows how deeply that hurt me. But God’s provisions were deeper. The ugliness of the other person didn’t turn into ugliness in my own heart. Even though he did not live up to his Christian commitment or his membership vows, I did not fail to extend Christ’s love to him or pray for him. The real danger of evil, as I see it, is that, in their pain, the patient, innocent wounded become like the very evil that hurt them.
This is precisely where the grace of God transforms. “Love your enemies”, Jesus teaches. “Pray for those who despitefully use you.” And, in excruciating pain, Jesus lived what he taught: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Just before He was about to be crucified, Jesus told his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation, but do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.” When the resurrected Christ found disciples who had deserted and denied him, his first words were “Peace be with you.” Jesus lived out of the great resources of God’s love.
God’s Word doesn’t tell us that we will be exempt from the valley of the shadow of death or the presence of enemies. The consistent witness of Scripture is that the resources of faith are stronger than the harsh realities of the world. Are the disciples in a storm? Yes. But Jesus is with them. Are there enemies? Yes. But God prepares a table. Is there a valley of deepest darkness? Yes. But God’s presence fortifies against all fear. Over and over, God’s people are invited to turn to provisions of faith in the face of painful realities.
If the 9/11 remembrance brings forward any challenge to Christians, it is the teaching of Jesus to love our enemies. If the pain of 9/11 brings a danger, it is to let the hatred of others make us haters, too. If the national tragedy gives us a spiritual challenge, it is to be more compassionate than cynical, to be more faithful than fearful – to live out of the rich resources God offers instead of living out of the shallow responses of wounded hearts. “I will fear no evil…” Ancient words, but a great testimony for ever-new challenges in today’s world.
I’ve not just read the 23rd Psalm. I’ve lived it. This morning, I shared with the congregation one experience of living Psalm 23:5,6 in one appointment. A man in my congregation was not happy about having a female preacher. It wasn’t personal because he was mad about it before ever meeting me. But he didn’t stop with grousing about having a woman as a preacher. The better things went in the ministry of the church, the madder he got. He did everything he could to stir up criticism and opposition to me. He told lies about me and constantly looked for something to criticize. He sat in worship arms crossed on his chest with a frozen scowl on his face every Sunday. And, just as often, I lived the truth and beauty of the psalmist’s affirmation: “Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over.” Each Sunday, God gave me the gift of a message, the high calling of the ministry and a full cup of love and assurance.
Before I left the lunch after worship today, one man stopped me and asked me if that man in my sermon ever changed his mind. Although my pastoral life is filled with precious experiences where people (male and female) DID change their mind, this isn’t one of them. “No,” I said. “As far as I know, he never did stop opposing me.”
But, quickly, I realized that answer was incomplete. “The important thing is that his hard heart didn’t harden mine.” Was it hard to face the constant undermining, the relentless negative presence? Yes. Only God knows how deeply that hurt me. But God’s provisions were deeper. The ugliness of the other person didn’t turn into ugliness in my own heart. Even though he did not live up to his Christian commitment or his membership vows, I did not fail to extend Christ’s love to him or pray for him. The real danger of evil, as I see it, is that, in their pain, the patient, innocent wounded become like the very evil that hurt them.
This is precisely where the grace of God transforms. “Love your enemies”, Jesus teaches. “Pray for those who despitefully use you.” And, in excruciating pain, Jesus lived what he taught: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Just before He was about to be crucified, Jesus told his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation, but do not be afraid. I have overcome the world.” When the resurrected Christ found disciples who had deserted and denied him, his first words were “Peace be with you.” Jesus lived out of the great resources of God’s love.
God’s Word doesn’t tell us that we will be exempt from the valley of the shadow of death or the presence of enemies. The consistent witness of Scripture is that the resources of faith are stronger than the harsh realities of the world. Are the disciples in a storm? Yes. But Jesus is with them. Are there enemies? Yes. But God prepares a table. Is there a valley of deepest darkness? Yes. But God’s presence fortifies against all fear. Over and over, God’s people are invited to turn to provisions of faith in the face of painful realities.
If the 9/11 remembrance brings forward any challenge to Christians, it is the teaching of Jesus to love our enemies. If the pain of 9/11 brings a danger, it is to let the hatred of others make us haters, too. If the national tragedy gives us a spiritual challenge, it is to be more compassionate than cynical, to be more faithful than fearful – to live out of the rich resources God offers instead of living out of the shallow responses of wounded hearts. “I will fear no evil…” Ancient words, but a great testimony for ever-new challenges in today’s world.
Friday, September 9, 2011
I will fear no evil...
Before the intensified attention to 9/11, I had already been feeling the vulnerability of life. Everyone knows in the back of their minds that life is short, that the world is dangerous and unpredictable, that things can dramatically change in a heartbeat. We don’t usually dwell on these realities. By the nature of our work, pastors are acutely aware of these stark truths about life.
Most people have had the experience when the reminders of life’s fragility ganged up in the calendar and the heart. That’s what has been happening to me in the past couple of weeks: the sudden, unexpected death of a dear friend just my age, the news of the recurrence of cancer with another friend, the death of a like-my-mother precious presence in life all within a week. So I didn’t need all the stories of 9/11 to remember that we never know what a day will bring. I don’t need the talk of 9/11 to remember that evil is real and that good people—innocent people—suffer in this fallen world. I don’t need news stories to tell me that life can turn upside-down in a heartbeat. Those realities did not (or end) on September 11, 2001.
Exactly at this point of painful reality, the rich resources of faith makes a difference. The 9/11 experiences of life – those gut-wrenching, life-changing, cut-to-the-core experiences—send us frantically scrambling for a sure foundation. And, no matter what has happened, the dependable, strong, redemptive love of God is always there. “I will fear no evil” we all learned to recite from the beloved 23rd Psalm “for thou art with me.” It’s in the 9/11 times, the true, dependable, unstoppable source of security emerges. We see how much we have trusted in things that will pass away. And, at our best, we put our pain to the good work of establishing/re-establishing an anchor of life that will never fail us or let us down: the love of God.
As with every tragedy, the most important thing is not the shock of what happened. The defining dynamic is what we do with the tragedies that life brings. On September 11 (and every anniversary day of other tragedies), some will be bitter, angry, depressed or crippled with sorrow. I understand. No one should condemn others for the deep emotions of loss. At some point—some life-giving turn—the bigger question emerges: What am I going to do with this unspeakable tragedy that has happened? That’s the defining question. Will the tragedy define life? Or will the tragedy of life turn us to the unfailing resources of God?
In a devotional book I have been reading, Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23 by Jan Johnson, she points out that the verse I have always loved “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” (Psalm 23:4) literally means “Yea though I walk through the valley of deepest darkness…” That includes all of life’s bitterest experiences. Followed by the great affirmation I invite us all to make: I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Evil is present in the world, but it is not feared. What a great witness our faith has to offer to our anxious, insecure, dangerous world!
Looking back across the last 10 years, I am looking at life with this question: How has 9/11 (our national tragedy or your personal 9/11 experiences) shaped me? Am I more cynical, bitter, angry, insecure, resentful, closed to others or God? Or am more trusting in God, more loving, more forgiving, more merciful, more peaceful and committed to living in peace with others? Does tragedy in life shape me or, by God’s grace, am I transformed?
Long ago, I made it a daily practice to read Romans 12. This weekend, as our nation walks through the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I am adding a daily text-- the 23rd Psalm-- at the beginning and the close of the day. The only way through the valley of deepest darknesses...the only way to fear no evil is through the security greater than life--the security of God's dependable love.
Most people have had the experience when the reminders of life’s fragility ganged up in the calendar and the heart. That’s what has been happening to me in the past couple of weeks: the sudden, unexpected death of a dear friend just my age, the news of the recurrence of cancer with another friend, the death of a like-my-mother precious presence in life all within a week. So I didn’t need all the stories of 9/11 to remember that we never know what a day will bring. I don’t need the talk of 9/11 to remember that evil is real and that good people—innocent people—suffer in this fallen world. I don’t need news stories to tell me that life can turn upside-down in a heartbeat. Those realities did not (or end) on September 11, 2001.
Exactly at this point of painful reality, the rich resources of faith makes a difference. The 9/11 experiences of life – those gut-wrenching, life-changing, cut-to-the-core experiences—send us frantically scrambling for a sure foundation. And, no matter what has happened, the dependable, strong, redemptive love of God is always there. “I will fear no evil” we all learned to recite from the beloved 23rd Psalm “for thou art with me.” It’s in the 9/11 times, the true, dependable, unstoppable source of security emerges. We see how much we have trusted in things that will pass away. And, at our best, we put our pain to the good work of establishing/re-establishing an anchor of life that will never fail us or let us down: the love of God.
As with every tragedy, the most important thing is not the shock of what happened. The defining dynamic is what we do with the tragedies that life brings. On September 11 (and every anniversary day of other tragedies), some will be bitter, angry, depressed or crippled with sorrow. I understand. No one should condemn others for the deep emotions of loss. At some point—some life-giving turn—the bigger question emerges: What am I going to do with this unspeakable tragedy that has happened? That’s the defining question. Will the tragedy define life? Or will the tragedy of life turn us to the unfailing resources of God?
In a devotional book I have been reading, Trusting God for Everything: Psalm 23 by Jan Johnson, she points out that the verse I have always loved “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” (Psalm 23:4) literally means “Yea though I walk through the valley of deepest darkness…” That includes all of life’s bitterest experiences. Followed by the great affirmation I invite us all to make: I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Evil is present in the world, but it is not feared. What a great witness our faith has to offer to our anxious, insecure, dangerous world!
Looking back across the last 10 years, I am looking at life with this question: How has 9/11 (our national tragedy or your personal 9/11 experiences) shaped me? Am I more cynical, bitter, angry, insecure, resentful, closed to others or God? Or am more trusting in God, more loving, more forgiving, more merciful, more peaceful and committed to living in peace with others? Does tragedy in life shape me or, by God’s grace, am I transformed?
Long ago, I made it a daily practice to read Romans 12. This weekend, as our nation walks through the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I am adding a daily text-- the 23rd Psalm-- at the beginning and the close of the day. The only way through the valley of deepest darknesses...the only way to fear no evil is through the security greater than life--the security of God's dependable love.
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