Challenging Moments and How They Shape Us - June 3
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84; Deut. 16:18-20, 17:14-20; 2 Cor. 8:1-16; Luke 18:1-8
Someone I care about deeply and have known for most of my life has a certain outlook that I have struggled with lately. They seem to believe the world is against them. This person doesn’t say that explicitly, but it seems to be their approach and understanding to life. Nothing ever seems to work out for them and even moments that are worthy of celebration in her life and the life of others is an opportunity to critique and grieve. Everything is tougher for her than it is for everyone else. In all fairness, for this person, some things have been more challenging than they have been for many others, and I do grieve for her and the struggles she has endured.
In our relationship, I have noticed two outcomes that are causing me to pause and reflect. First, I have a desire to spend less time with the person than I would like. I have known them most of my life and yet I do not find much joy in our relationship. Joy should not be the only reason we have friendships and relationships, but I wonder about the lack of joy in this relationship and if there is a role I can play in improving our relationship.
The second is more troubling. After spending some time reflecting on a conversation with this person, I found myself sliding into the same trap in my own life. As I struggle as a priest and Rector of an Episcopal Church to make the best decisions for our community as we come out of this pandemic, I found myself saying some of the same things my friend says. I found her approach of “Woe to me” becoming my approach.
Grief, trauma, and hardship are real, but I am inspired by Paul’s reflections on the churches in Macedonia in his second letter to Corinthians. The Macedonian church has experienced a “severe ordeal of affliction” and their joy in Christ has caused them to become more generous. This is exactly the opposite of what we expect. We expect the community to hunker down and become the recipients of help and aid from others, but Paul remarks on their generosity out of poverty. He is so inspired he uses their joy as a model for the community in Corinth.
Everyone is entitled to handle life however they please. And it’s ok to be sad and angry. But God (and Paul) offer us a new way to look at things. If God is making all thing knew, that in our baptism the Resurrection of Christ is made manifest, that the Spirit of God that touched the lives of the Church on Pentecost is made alive in each of us, well – “Woe to me” shouldn’t be our whole identity. It at least shouldn’t be mine. And I’ll try to do better.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: How do you handle hardship? What is constructive and helpful? What is not helpful. How much time do you spend doing the things that are not helpful?
Daily Challenge: Think of the most challenging moment or event of the past year. Name one or two things you have learned about yourself through this that is helpful or hopeful.