Pastoral Thought--August 25

How alone are you? Notice that I did not say, “how alone do you feel?” That is a different question with a different set of answers to it. Often times, the expression of feelings (i.e loneliness) is different from perceived reality (being alone physically) that we are experiencing. . . 

So again, how alone are you?

For me that question is at the heart of a number of instances occurring in our community today. And that idea is working its way into the church as well. That question is one of the biggest stumbling blocks, or challenges, that we deal with in response to any form of suffering—covid-19 or not—in our lives. For in times of suffering, we follow a logic path in an attempt to resolve the suffering. 

First, we run to the conclusion that because I am in Christ, and because Christ loves me, therefore my perceived reality of being alone is not possible. Then, because that does not always resolve our struggle, our sadness and isolation only grow. . . We think, “maybe I am the only one who feels this way?” or "Maybe I am alone in this?” or worse, “No one can possible understands.” We might even begin to wonder, ‘Does God even love me?” In this case, the pain becomes so great, the separation so pronounced that we venture down an unhealthy pathway that often leads to more suffering. 

Many of us would answer that initial question with words like: very. . . or constantly. . .  We are very alone. . . We are constantly alone. 

If you feel this way today, or if you know someone who is suffering alone, then I want to offer you a word from the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells. In his book, A Nazareth Manifesto, he writes: 

"Us—humanity, set amidst the good creation—is the object of God’s attention, made subject in the miraculous word, ‘with.’ This is not an exclusive choice, with losers or outsiders; it is an inclusive covenant, held with fierce intensity, as if each one were the only one. And this relationship. . . is made permanent. . . God’s whole life is shaped by the permanent resolve never to be except to be with us.” 

I have read Sam’s words over and over again for many years. They help me often when I feel that I am on the outside looking in. When the suffering of my day, or the suffering presented to me by another person, seems so great that I cannot even attempt to locate joy in those moments. When I sit alone—physically or not—I try to remember Wells’s words. We are not losers or outsiders because we feel alone; because we think that no one hears or cares about our issues. Instead God’s very self is inviting us to commune together. . . human with divine. . . the one who suffers now with the one who suffered so that we might not perish. 

Sure, no human may totally understand the suffering of our days. . . but we do have someone who is there, someone who permanently resolved to be there. So that when we feel alone, when we think healing cannot come, God’s presence says that this is not so. . . in fact, God is there even when we do not think that is possible.

 

Blessings

Rev. Derek