We can get news 24 hours a
day- world events, or happenings with our friends. We don't have to wait
for a certain “news hour “; we get get
updates and breaking news continually. We also can access our worries and our
concerns throughout the day and night!
Sometimes I wake up around 2am and I think about things. Perhaps you do
too.
When people are asked what
concerns them, they will mention:
Money/financial security Health/ healthcare Getting older
Work
stress/job security Debt Violence/unrest Family members/friends
I
think about the known and the unknown. I
wonder what the next month or the next year will bring. I wonder what will
happen that I am totally not expecting.
Edward
Grinnen is the editor in chief of Guideposts Publications and lives in New
York. He writes about the day Sept 10, 2001.
The day before the date of 9-11. He describes Sept 10 as a perfect late summer
day. Life went on in NYC as normal- he
and a friend ate lunch together to celebrate her birthday, and without
trepidation he made plane reservations for the next week. But then life changed on 9-11. He reflects “Since then nothing has been
quite the same. But on that Sept.10- on any day of my life, really- I could not possibly have
known what the future held, I am not given that knowledge. That's what stays
with me about this day ... the complete uncertainty of tomorrow. Yet I am given
knowledge far greater than the ability to see the future. I know...that
whatever unlooked- for events the next day
may bring, God is with me, today, tomorrow and forever.”
“God
is with me” is not a flimsy cliche but
is at the center of Jesus' teaching.
Our
Gospel passage from John recounts the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the evening that he is arrested. That meal
we will be remembering later as we share in communion. As part of the
evening Jesus told his disciples the disheartening news that he will be leaving
them. Their future is uncertain. And so he offers words of encouragement that they could use as a guide
when they are on their own. The evening progresses, and the tensions in the
room increase. One disciple Judas is
leaving to go betray his teacher and friend, Jesus, and another disciple Peter
, even though he proclaims his loyalty, will soon deny that he even knows Jesus. At this dinner where there is division, and mistrust and fear, Jesus talks to them
about peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not
let them be afraid. “
Their
world is coming apart and Jesus tells them not to be afraid. How is this possible? How can they not
be troubled ?
Jesus
wants them to see what their lives could
be like at the other end of “what
if.”
Even when life is turned upside down, they can
know the presence and the power and the peace of Jesus. Amazingly, peace can
coexist with trouble and heartache.
What
is this elusive peace? When I say that I
just want “some peace and quiet” I
probably mean I want some down time with
no distractions. No interruptions. That is one definition of peace.
We
also speak of peace as being the absence of something: no commotion, fighting, disagreements, no
conflict.
Peace
stands on its' own as a gift from God, as a view of the future with eyes of
trust. It is the prospect that somehow
we can keep our footing even when the
path is rough. It is a peace that will answer our fears about the darkness ahead, and assure
us that we are not alone. The presence of this peace enables us to live faithfully in everyday
life.
In
another community where we lived, I visited an older couple who had a variety
of struggles with their health and in maintaining their home. They were a very
congenial pair and enjoyed sharing funny stories about
themselves. Their home was inviting and
brightly decorated. In their
living room was a painting ,that in contrast ,was composed of drab colors of
grey and blues. It didn't seem to fit with
everything else.
The
picture was of a stormy sea pounding against a block wall .Black rain clouds
filled the top of the canvas. In an
alcove of the stone wall, a small bird slept safe and dry in her nest ,snuggled
safely in the rocks. I got a different
impression of the painting when the lady that I visited explained to me
that this picture was her favorite! She said that the painting gave her such a
sense of peace. It captured for her
God's abiding presence regardless of the circumstances.
This
promised peace of God does not take away the difficulties of life. This peace clarifies that our sorrows cannot
be the final word on who we are and on the possibilities of what may lie ahead.
Rick
and Tracy Lischer went through the devastating experience of the death of their
son Adam when he was 33 years old. Adam
was an attorney, and he and his wife
were expecting their first child. For three months after his diagnosis, Adam and his wife and
his parents fought against the disease with all they had. Treatment was not
successful and so quickly he was gone. It has been 8 years now since Adam's
death. His father who is a Lutheran pastor, has written a testimony (Stations
of the Heart) that is a reflection on what it meant to take that
journey with their son. Adam spent those last weeks of his life in caring
for and being with his family, in reading Scripture and in
prayer, in worship,in preparing gifts
for his unborn daughter. Adam was asked what he wanted most from God. His reply was “healing “ and that his two
large dogs could visit him!
He
was asked again ,”If his first desire
could not be ,what did he want second? “ His request was for peace for
himself and his young wife. I believe that he
was given that peace. God's presence
was obvious in Adam's choices, his outlook, and his faith
that not only carried him through his suffering, but also carried his
parents.
Dr.
Gregory Jantz has worked with people
about overcoming anxiety and worries concerning the future. I think these questions that he poses are
helpful: “ If the worst you can imagine
were to happen, what would that mean? How would your life go on? What would you
do? What would your life be like? You need to know there is life at the other
end of your fears, even your greatest ones. You need to know you have resources
and help available even if the worst thing were to happen.” p. 125
His
statement reminds me that there is support and we are not alone as we face the
future. The instructions that Jesus shared with his disciples so long ago still
speak to us when our dreams are not realized and our lives are sharply altered.
Jesus
has given us one another and has given
us his Spirit to be our advocate ,our comforter, the bringer of peace. The Holy Spirit has been described as being
like a prompter in a play whispering lines to our hearts in case we
forget.
Let
us hold on to the precious gift of peace especially during our 2 am worry
sessions. Let us ask for and cherish this peace which gives us strength and
perspective to face tomorrow.
“Now
the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
II Thessalonians3:16
Books
cited:
Overcoming
Anxiety, Worry and Fear: Practical Ways to Find Peace by Gregory Jantz
Stations
of the Heart: Parting with a Son by Richard Lischer
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