Worry

I’m good at worrying. At night, sleep eludes me as I conjure up scenario after scenario. What if this happened? Or that?  I’m like a dog chewing at a bone, a relentless and determined worrier.

            Friends tell me to “let go and let God.” I know that’s good advice, but it’s not easy to follow. How can I trust God? God has given us the gift of free will? Free will means that my loved one can refuse God’s help. What then?

Because we love, we envision chaos that may never happen. It’s hard to accept the fact that we can’t make all the decisions for our precious child. When children are little, we can rush in and fix things.  Once they are teenagers, our fixes are unwanted. Teens, in their desire for independence, can be cruel as they reject our well-intentioned efforts. They leave us with no alternative but worry. But we don’t have to worry alone.

            I get up in the middle of the night, harassed by my fears and write a letter to God. I dump on God all my worries and all my wise solutions. The page full, I sit quietly waiting, waiting for help. It amazes me that God always answers. I hear. “Keep on loving. Love that child or friend, no matter what. You may have to declare some behaviour unacceptable, for it won’t help to be walked on. Still, keep on loving. Entrust the future to me, your God. I have a plan. Trust in me to work out that plan. I will never leave your loved one.” So I return to bed. In the morning, I may pick up that worry once again, but at least for a few hours, I have received God’s peace.

I give thanks to God that my worries draw me to prayer. The cycle of worry-prayer-peace has value for it keeps me in contact with God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Under Construction

Winter brings relief from the constant road construction that slows down our journey. We want the convenience of smooth, uncongested roads without the frustration of time consuming delays and the vast expenditures of tax dollars required.

            The Advent scripture readings begin with the prophet Isaiah saying, “Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Remove the rough spots, the places where you step away from God. Remove the hatred and the prejudice that have become mountains between you and others. Fill in the valleys of greed. Accept the freedom to share your bounty with others. Smooth out the rough road of busyness and dissatisfaction with prayer and gratitude. Put your life under construction.

Yes, construction is expensive. Changing your life requires energy. You will have risk looking at your dearly held prejudices. Lay them down to love and accept all people. You will have to receive the wisdom that comes from holding out your hands in forgiveness to those who have hurt you. You’ll have to open your eyes and hearts to the pain of others. Your family and friends may lose patience with you. Construction is like that.

This Christmas season, instead of crying out to God to smooth out your life, listen to the prophet Isaiah. Begin your own construction company. Believe you can do it because of God’s promise to love you and support you. God will provide the friends, the bulldozers and the strength you need to get the job done. This Christmas, be ready for the birth of the Christ child in your own heart.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together.  (Isaiah 40:1-5)

The Right Brand

            Today society says “your brand is everything.” Even cities hire marketing experts to give them just the “right brand,” so tourists will flock to their attractions and hotels. A well-known brand is more important then the value or even reliability of the goods and services.

Experts tell me I need to develop my brand, so I can sell my books on the internet. Much thought has left me with words like gentle, new perspective, Good News. None of these will sell books in this society that wants desperate tragedy, extreme sports, all the right answers. My reputation as a caring pastor won’t do it, nor even my record of having sold books to satisfied readers in the past. I have to have a “brand” that will catch the attention of the public.  

            In some ways, “Christianity” is a brand that represents those of us who follow Jesus. The problem with this brand is that it has lost a lot of its original meaning. Too often, people hear the word “Christian” and think bigoted, judgmental, or exclusive. Jesus commanded his disciples to love God and love one another. Christians are called to be loving, giving, caring people committed to serving as the hands and feet and heart of Christ in this world. . As the song tells us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That is a brand that sells well but is hard to live.

It is easy to be like the student who heaved a great sigh as he read the bonus question on his sociology exam.

What is the name of the custodian who cleans your residence building? This man has provided faithful service to you and your fellow students all year. Appreciation and respect for those around you is one way to make a difference in this world.

The student pictured an older man pushing a broom up and down the halls. “He always smiled and spoke to me, but I never stopped to talk. He didn’t even exist for me.”

             Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?

             The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
             Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”    (Matthew 10:36-37)