Hurt

Alright, so this blog is supposed to be about living out a real faith in a real world.

Tonight I was reminded of something very real, something that I have been blessed in many ways to avoid recently - being hurt.

Ooooh, and tonight was a zinger. One of those that cuts to the core of you are, have been, and will be. One of those events that sends you reeling, wondering where to go next.

(This is also connected to another very real issue - disappointment! More on that another time.)

As much as we like to stay positive and see the blessings in life, it is very common for all people (including followers of Christ) to be straight up hurt. There is a moment before we think on prayer, or before the questions come to ask God when we just feel that wave of pain strike and the groaning seeps  out between our ribs.

I could take the easy way out and remind you that your faith is shown in your response. It's true. Where we turn, how we turn, and to whom we turn are all measures of the faith we possess. I would argue that our nature prompts us to raise a clenched fist to heaven at these times, but faith lifts open palms.

The maturity of this response, however, has to be learned. It has to be modeled by others who have walked a similar or the exact same journey. Tonight I was blessed to share this specific hurt with someone very close. It reminded me that some of the greatest lessons I have learned have not come from a witty sermon or an emotional youtube video, but from those who have held me up when I thought all was lost. Or from those who demonstrated strength that surpassed their natural ability. Watching these brothers or sisters respond to hurt, by leaning on Christ, strengthened my faith and encouraged my soul.

Likewise, I can say, without a doubt, that the best lessons I have taught have not come through my vast theological understanding. The greatest connections I have made with anyone have come through an opportunity to share my past hurts with them and urge them to hold on to hope through any struggle.

Hurting is a real thing. We ought not to ignore it.

I know you have been hurt. I know there are people around you hurting. Seek them out and encourage them. My prayer is that you will see the unending benefits of having a mentor through the pain and seek your own next time the wave hits.

In Response to a Broken World

Early this morning we were reminded of how far humanity has fallen.

I am saddened and disturbed to the core at how someone could make such horrific choices.

Over the next days and weeks we will hear stories of this young man's mental state and the cunning execution of his plans. We will mourn the loss of amazing daughters and sons, mothers and fathers, taken too soon. We will be lost in disbelief.

And if you haven't already, you will pray, congregated with other sojourners for some sense, a lot of healing, an immeasurable amount of peace, and an unending grace for all of us.

When the media throws around words like 'massacre' or 'tragedy' - we huddle in our local congregations in prayer, hoping God is doing something through these recent events. The humility of prayer - lifting our fellow man up with weak arms to an all powerful God - is an amazing and powerful experience that is unparalleled by anything we do as people of faith.

I want to challenge you, however, to take your response beyond the silent whispers to God on a Sunday morning. Far too often, those prayers become nothing more than an 'I'm glad it didn't / please don't let it - happen to me.' Please - send money, donate resources, memorialize the fallen - this will lend support to those directly impacted.

The challenge is this - beyond the silent debate with God (why did this happen?), wrap your arms around your loved ones and teach them. If they are hurting, care for them. If they are lacking, fill them up. If they are off course, correct them. If they are empty, replenish them. If they are leaning, prop them up. If they are happy, celebrate with them. If they sad, mourn with them. If they are struggling, encourage them.

And while your doing that (not after...after is too late), while you're doing that direct their eyes and your own to your friends, neighbors, co-workers and total strangers. Shoulder to shoulder do all of this for every weary soul you come into contact with.

Our focus shouldn't be simply avoid a 'tragedy' in our community but to be so good at taking care of those around us that 'tragedy' has no place in our lives.

Anger

My day today was just overwhelmed with the frustration of dealing with real people, with real issues, in the real world. I am surprised at how I let myself get so angry with certain situations in life. It has happened more recently than ever before...I wonder why that is.

As just about everyone I know will vouch that I am in no way violent in my anger (anyone not on that list will be surprised that I get angry). I am more likely to burst into tears than to respond with physical force.

What I find interesting though, is that my anger, the passionate fury that is new to me, is a response to people who really hit me where it hurts, so to speak. The two people that have stirred this much anger in me in the last couple years are people that hurt my church family and, worst of all, brought pain to my wife and kids.

In searching for a real world response to following Christ, I find myself longing for a practical example of how to live this out. The testosterone driven response has never been my style. I have been the doormat, but have learned to be more confident than that.

In Jesus we have both the lesson to turn the other cheek AND the clearing of the temple.

Both are responses to wrongdoing, so I'm convinced that passiveness is not the right course of action (or inaction if you will).

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ~ James 1:5


God, give me wisdom.