At one point in the Gospel of Mark (chapter 10:35-45), James and John ask to sit at Jesus’ right hand or his left hand in his glory. They were asking for positions of power, privilege, and status. On the surface, their request seems a little arrogant or grasping – but deep down, it reveals the depths of the hope these men had to be a part of something great – something lasting – to have made something of their lives. And that is something I think we all want on one level or another. 

However, it is almost like they didn’t hear Jesus, or didn’t understand him when earlier he invited them to pick up their cross and follow him and in following to find not power or prestige or status, but something greater…

I remember years ago at a church I was serving, a young doctor from our congregation came by to see me. He said, “You know Joe, I’ve achieved every goal I ever set for myself. I have a home on the golf course, a thriving practice, a beautiful wife, healthy kids, and more than enough… So why is it that I still feel mostly empty inside?”

On a personal note, one of the things I enjoy most in life is surfing. Being out on the water in God’s creation gives me a sense of renewal and joy. But I have also found that surfing alone is not enough to give life meaning or depth or purpose. Surfing alone is not enough when those difficult moments in life come.

Sometimes people will tell me, “I worship God out in nature. I worship God while I’m on the water, or hiking in the mountains, or walking in the woods.” And I get it. I sense God’s presence in a very deep way in the midst of creation. But the times when I’ve grown most in my life, the times when I have felt most fulfilled, and times when I’ve experienced Christ’s presence in the most profound sense, have not been in moments of achievement, not necessarily in moments out in the beauty of creation, nor in moments of sheer enjoyment. No, it has been in moments when I’ve surrendered something, given something, or done something for someone else.

Maybe that’s what Jesus meant, at least in part, when he said: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it…” (Mark 8:34-37) 

Let us pray: We thank you, gracious God, for the desire to do well and to make something of our lives. We do humbly ask that you would meet us in our achievements, meet us in our enjoyment of life, and meet us even in the midst of our everyday tasks. And all along the way, Lord, help us not to cling too tightly, to surrender easily to you, and to give freely to those in need; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today let me say how grateful we are to those who make gifts to the Dial Hope Foundation that enable this ministry to touch so many. Your generous support is a real Godsend.

Some of you may remember Jimmy Stewart. For a time he was one of Hollywood’s most loved and respected actors. By all accounts, Stewart’s character and integrity were influenced by his parents. He once wrote of his father’s wise advice to him before he went off to fight in World War II. In a letter, Alex Stewart wrote, “My dear Jim boy, soon after you read this letter, you will be on your way to the worst sort of danger . . . I am banking on the enclosed copy of the 91st Psalm. The thing that takes the place of fear and worry is the promise of these words . . . I can say no more . . . I love you more than I can tell you. Dad.” 

Psalm 91 reads in part:

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust… Those who love me, I will deliver… When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble…”

Trust is the antidote to worry and fear. No doubt we live in a troubled world. The issues we face are complex. But, God has promised to be with us no matter what the future holds. God is our refuge and our fortress. No matter what burdens you may be carrying; no matter what sort of danger you may be facing, may you take these words to heart.

Trust God.

Let us pray: Loving and gracious God, We pray today, especially for those who are in the midst of the real danger. We pray for your protection, mercy, and deliverance. Grant courage and hope to those who need it most today. And we pray that you would hasten the day when wars will cease and your peace reign. May that peace reign even now in our hearts. Amen.

The great preacher and scholar Fred Craddock once told about visiting one of his students after graduation. This former student was married and had young children in the house. Before dinner, Fred watched the kids roll around on the floor while playing with the family dog – a huge sleek greyhound. The father told him, “That’s a full-blooded greyhound there. He once raced professionally down in Florida. Then we got him. Great dog with the kids, that Greyhound.” 

Later in the evening, after the parents excused themselves to put the children to bed, Fred sat in the living room alone with the dog. As he looked over at the dog, his imagination got the better of him, and he swears the dog turned to him and asked, “This your first visit to Connecticut?”

Fred answered, “No, I went to school up here a long time ago.”

“Well, I guess you heard. I came up here from Miami,” said the greyhound.

“Oh, yeah, you retired?” Fred asked.

“No, is that what they told you?” replied the greyhound. “No, no, I didn’t retire. I tell you, I spent 10 years as a professional racing greyhound. That means 10 years of running around that track day after day, seven days a week, with others chasing that rabbit. Well, one day, I got up close; I got a good look at that rabbit. It was a fake! I had spent my whole life chasing a fake rabbit! Hey, I didn’t retire; I quit!” 

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves chasing a rabbit, don’t we? We think that there is something out there that is going to make our life happier, better, richer. Sometimes it is more money, a better job, a bigger house, a nicer car, a new location, or any other number of things. But the truth is that even when attained, we find that the satisfaction is short-lived, and it doesn’t ultimately fulfill. 

There is an old and wise saying, “Happiness is found in being grateful for what you have.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty, and of being in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Let us pray: Loving God, help us let go of any anxiety we feel around needing a certain outcome, or something newer, or something more. Grant us a deep sense of peace with who we are and what we have right here, right now. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Psalm 40 (1-3) we read these words of hope:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
    out of the miry bog,
 and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.

This psalm reflects a person who had been in lows of human despair and heartache. He tells us he prayed for help and he cried out to the Lord. And God heard and delivered him… And as he reflects back on his life, he feels compelled to give thanks and praise… 

In his book, Walking in Wonder, (p.151) the Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue writes this: 

“In a strange way, nothing is ever lost or forgotten; everything that befalls us remains within us…. The image in nature that is really profound in relation to that is the tree; all the rings of memory enfold all the years of growing, blossoming, dying, and enfold all the elements of experience. In a similar way, within the clay part of each soul, the rings of memory are there, and you can find them.”

As I mentioned last week, it is true that a lot of the experiences that we have in the world are torn, broken, or hard… But what I’ve come to see is that we begin the process of healing what is hurting, torn, and broken within us, when we visit those places with compassion and with eyes of faith.

This is not something that can be done in the moment. It is not something that can be done in the midst of the pain. Sometimes only years later, looking back; perhaps asking a different set of questions…

I can’t help but think that is exactly what the psalmist was doing when he wrote this psalm, that he had harvested the memories of a bitter time… he was able to see something beyond the pain and heartache… that there was yet beauty.

As you reflect back on your life, may you do so with a heart of compassion and eyes of faith. And may you see that even amidst the heartache and loss, there is also great love and grace.

Let us pray: Open our hearts and our eyes, O God, to glimpse your presence all throughout the journey of life; in Christ, we live and pray. Amen.

Friend of Dial Hope, do you sometimes feel like your problems are so overwhelming that you can barely keep your head above water? In the Bible, God tells you to cast “all your care upon him,” knowing he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) 

One of the most dramatic examples in the Bible of casting yourself upon God is Peter’s attempt to walk on water. It was liquid pavement beneath his feet. When Jesus bid Peter to come to him, Peter quickly stepped out of the boat and, with his eyes on the Lord, he began to walk. But then he looked around at the heavy seas. Terrified, he began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Immediately, Jesus was beside Peter. And, arm in arm, they walked on the water to the boat. Like Peter, if you get your eyes off your source and onto your impossible situation, you’re sunk. But, if you keep your eyes on Jesus and walk arm in arm with him, you’ll be safe…because Jesus specializes in meeting human needs. Whatever is over your head in the way of problems is already under his feet. It’s in his control! Remember: “Cast all your anxiety, your care on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) 

Let us pray: God of love, who came into the world clothed in our garment of flesh and who willingly gave yourself to the cross, clothe us in your Spirit that persons will recognize you in us and receive your great gift of unconditional love and amazing grace. We remember today and this week the men and women serving our country in Afghanistan and Iraq. Surround them with your presence and give them Christ-confidence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.