Hello all you folks of good will! Hope the dog days of summer are meaningful for you (I actually learned from one of the local meteorologists where the phrase “dog days” comes from – look it up sometime if your one of those folks who like to know things!) As many of you are aware, one of our dear young people here at Calvary has had a terrible swimming accident and is now fighting to recover and restore all the use of his body – many have prayed and shown great love but none more than his mom and dad. We all are looking forward to his healing……..on a similar note of sorts – this Friday marks the anniversary of the collapse of the 35w Bridge here in Minneapolis. If memory serves me 13 people were killed and many injured, some very severely. Their journey’s of full recovery continue…..
As people of faith I write simply to remind you that the scriptures are full of stories of grief and lament – an entire book is called Lamentations; “For these things I weep”…there is a certain fellow we all have heard of – Job - and then of course there is our Lord who weeps at the loss of his friend and whose body his mother weeps over after the empire of his day determines he is too dangerous and must be silenced. These are but a few examples… I have my own – as I am sure do you - and have been working while wearied by a blend of many things lately. As a result – but not a justifiable excuse in the least – I belittled the belief and faith of those who believe that all of life’s happenings are directly related to God in my sermon on Sunday. I clearly crossed a line and felt terrible later in the day. All this just one week after preaching Matthew 7 – “Judge Not”………. For this I apologize.
A friend of mine recently sent me a sermon by Walter Brueggemann who he knows is one of my favorite theologians. In the sermon he states that the book of the prophet Isaiah chapter 1-39 is all about grief and loss and brokenness due to the greed and corruption and injustice of the city of Jerusalem – “a failed urban economy”. He then says clearly that there is no hope unless you grieve….that we must enter it in order to find hope…(sometimes for a long time – the next section which is all about hope comes many years later (chapters 40-55)… 3 things about this hope – 1.) it is born in the words of God; “Fear Not” – Do not quit or give in – why? Because “I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine! When you pass through the waters I will be with you….there are futures yet to be entered” (43:1-2) Brueggemann states that people who are afraid have no energy! He also says about hope that it is found by challenging the false gods of the empire and their intimidation and seduction – they cannot give life or safety or joy – he calls the false gods of our society consumer militarism. (we could add to the list) Then Isaiah reminds us of the heart of God – “It is I who have made you, I will bear, I will carry and I will save even to your old age when you turn gray” (hey wait a second I am gray!) Hope is found in the One who has true power! and lastly he reminds us of the promise of newness that accompanies us when we “Depart the empire” (Isa. 52) in order to be a person of faith again – one who organizes their life around their true identity that is found in the departing….. and when we have been set free at last – “we shall go out in joy, be led in peace and the mountains and hills shall burst in song and the trees of the field will clap their hands!”
Grief and uncertainty are real and so is HOPE! Brueggemann at nearly the end of his sermons states “God doesn’t need anymore critical, despairing, indifferent people – he needs dangerous people to help in bringing about newness! (our life vocation) The new bridge here is just about finished. Many have labored long and hard to see it happen. There will be great celebrations and fan fare I am sure. Gabe is laboring long and hard to move his hands and feet again and I know one day the mountains of Costa Rica will break out in song and the trees along Columbus Ave will clap their branches to see their son home!! And for you and I – here’s to living dangerously for Jesus!
I cheer you all on in the faith – for I am one on the journey with you………and I have hope!
Pastor Jeff
