Pastoral Thought--November 5

While some of the results from Tuesday’s election are still unclear, one thing that I think is clear, relates to how we process information that we may not agree with. How do we address the issues and how do we be with other people when things feel so topsy-turvy. 

One solution that I know about involves creating an entire belief system, or worldview, that supports and uplifts our individual feelings. We don’t have to agree with anyone and so we do not dwell with them either. Using the election as an example, it is interesting how quickly our minds begin to justify and rationalize our unique beliefs with the information that we hear, read, or see. They must be wrong—not us. They don’t have all the facts—we do. We knew what was going to happen—they are late to the party. But notice also how isolating and separating that feels. Do we not need community in times like this and not division?  

In a book that I was given recently, Rusty George writes these words that I think are helpful in times like this. When we begin to create either elaborate, or simply, constructs to justify our singular perspective, Rusty’s words provide a bit of honesty that helps us reflect, and hopefully change as we grow. He wrote:

“It’s amazing how much sense our nonsense can make when we’re all alone in the courtroom of our mind."

Now while you might believe that I am speaking sarcastically, because I started off with a nod to the election, I am not. The chapter where this quotation comes from addresses how anxiety, in this author’s mind, is best combatted together. When we are alone many of us build systems to support our opinions, By doing so we become paranoid. Our service stops. Our thoughts that are directed toward the other person become less frequent. We exist on an island that we created and that we rule. 

But by living and thinking in this way, by making our work world where we dwell alone, we neglect the call of God to gather together and “be” the church. Part of “being” the church means gathering for worship, practicing listening to each other, and praying for what we we hear and what God reveals to us. It means neither isolating ourselves or isolating the community because we do not agree or are discouraged by what we witness. In fact, the more we do not agree, the more touch-points we can find for ministry. 

I hope today, and throughout the rest of your week, you will find some space to be together with people. . . Be with the people you agree with and the people who stretch you. Dwell with them. Pray with them after you listen to them. By doing so you are participating in the work of God that is needed and necessary in time.

Blessings

Rev. Derek