A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sermon by Rev. Cheryl Foulk (May 5) - "Facing the Future"


 
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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