As a pastor and as a human being
I get to experience in the lives of others and in my own life
occasions when it seems like life is bringing more of a load
than others or I can bear. I am aware of the much used slogan, "God
doesn't give us more than we can handle." I have
never really liked that saying very much and do not put much
stock in it. Maybe God doesn't give us more than we can
handle, but life certainly seems to bring many people to a breaking
point. Even if I change the slogan to "God doesn't
give us more than we can handle if we work together," I
still have to confess that even with God's help there are
times when life's situations seem to be unbearable.
The loss of a loved one can be one occasion that causes us
to wonder if we can continue. The loss of a job can be devastating.
Having to battle overwhelming debt as well as the frustration
of not being able to find appropriate work can be more than some
can manage. Knowing we are facing a major illness that will be
painful, costly and seemingly without end is difficult to do
even for the most courageous among us. Attempting to overcome
addictions and having to admit there is something beyond our
self-control requires that we reach a place that is deeper than
pride. Wondering if our bad luck will ever change when we are
facing a series of setbacks can cause us to become pessimistic
to the point of even being suicidal.
What is amazing in all of the above as well as other similar
situations is that the vast majority of people seem to eventually
move forward and even prevail. Is this due to dogged determination?
I suppose it can be. In some instances a few people manage to
catch a break that allows them to regain equilibrium. Having
family, friends and others who encourage and love us can also
make a major difference. Sometimes it seems there is really little
choice but to just keep putting one foot in front of the other
while trudging our way through the muck and darkness.
There is also one other thing to consider. It is called faith.
Of course faith can mean many things. As I intend to use it here
it is a personal belief that ultimately things will turn out
positively because of a belief in a God whose love and power
are greater than anything that seeks to undermine or overwhelm
us.
Paul Tillich, a well-known theologian, writes in his book,
The New Being, "Faith means being grasped by a power that
is greater than we are, a power that shakes us and turns us and
transforms us and heals us. Surrender to this power is faith.
The people whom Jesus could heal and did heal are those who did
and do self-surrender to the healing power in Him."
In our Gospel story today Jesus is teaching His disciples as
they travel together toward Jerusalem. He has shared how the
Law must be kept and how His followers must care for those around
them. They cannot be the cause of someone else's difficulties.
They have to rebuke sin in others and themselves and then turn
around and offer forgiveness when it is requested even if the
request comes several times because of reoccurring errors. Faced
with what must have seemed like impossible expectations of themselves
the apostles said to Jesus, "Increase our faith."
Some scholars believe that these disciples were asking for
the power they saw in Jesus that allowed Him to do miraculous
things. Given their circumstances I think these disciples were
asking for the ability to simply make it through the day. Sometimes
facing the daily challenges common to many is more demanding
than handling so-called spectacular situations. We seldom hear
of the very common heroes and heroines who are somehow holding
things together in the face of overwhelming difficulties but
that is where many people live.
The faith Jesus seems to be describing in this story is not
about quantity. The disciples seem to be saying, "If we
just had more, we would be fine!" That thinking sometimes
creeps into our lives. "If we just had more _________
we would be fine."
"When it comes to faith," Jesus says, "a
little will be just fine as long as it is real and is used as
it is supposed to be." Faith here seems to be an ability
to say with certainty, "I know God exists and God loves
me. I know God is concerned for me and is with me sharing my
life's experiences whatever they may be. I know that ultimately
God's love will prevail over everything else in my life
as long as I give myself into God's keeping."
Even some of the strongest characters in Scripture had to be
reminded of this. When we have to walk on water or ride out the
storms of life, we sometimes forget to stay focused. We sometimes
fall back on just our own abilities and resources only to discover
they are not always adequate. Sometimes we rely too heavily on
others for things they cannot provide.
We sometimes even get our relationship with God confused. In
prayer we join the Psalmist and cry out, "Why are you not
listening, O God?" The necessary question ought to be, "What
am I not hearing?" We want God to change things when we
should be presenting ourselves to the transforming power of the
Holy Spirit in order that we can be changed.
It is not a sin or lack of faith to be afraid. It is not a
sin or lack of faith to get frustrated when everything seems
to be going wrong. What I hear Jesus telling the disciples and
us is to remember that God is on our side and to trust the love
and power God provides. Faith is the ability to move forward
when there is little or no evidence things will improve yet somehow
still believing they will. |
