Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum

 

Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum 

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

 “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. (Acts 9:10-19 NLT)

Being back in Texas to spend some time with Mom for a few days has reminded me of three things:

1. I loathe big cities…

2. I loathe traffic…

3. I loathe the “Mix Master.” 

Now, if you’ve never seen or driven through the mix master in DFW (and the spider web of cloverleaf exchanges the different roads offer) well, let me tell you - when you first experience it you will say within your heart - “There is no way out of this!”

It is much the same with us during our everyday lives. We encounter moments in our lives - sometimes daily - when we don’t see a way out.

“How am I going to pay this bill?”

“I wonder what news the doctor will give me?”

“They are probably going to fire me for that…”

“Why does God not answer my prayers?”

“Will people ever love me for me?”

We are human. Our thoughts are human. Our feelings are human. Our perspectives are human. 

We can only react as we have been created to react.

 And often, we react as if we are stuck on the mix master and don’t know how in the world we are going to get off or make it out. 

This had to be similar to the feelings that both Saul and Ananias had some 2000 years ago.

Saul, who was on his way to continue to disrupt and destroy the “Way” is struck blind and has to be led to the home of a stranger. Ananias is hiding to keep from being arrested and imprisoned by Saul…and yet, God commands him through a vision to go to the home where Saul is staying and pray for him so he will be able to see again.

Wow.

So, let’s break this conundrum down.

First, there is a crisis. 

Everyone of us encounters crisis moments. Sometimes, multiple crises at once. Some minor, some major. Some easy to handle - others life altering. Often, we find ourselves in full blown crisis mode.

Second, there is confusion.

We don’t know which way to go. We can’t figure out what is the first step. No one seems to understand. We are stuck - because our crisis has caused confusion.

Third, there is commitment. 

We make a decision. We become resolute in what we are going to do. We’ve determined to do what needs to be done.

Fourth, there is a conclusion. 

The crisis has come. Even in the midst of confusion, of what to do, you become committed to a way of dealing with it. Thus, the matter is concluded…

The only thing left? 

Living with the consequences.

In our story from the Acts of the Apostles we have Saul and Ananias. Both are experiencing a crisis. Both are confused as to what to do within their respective crises. Both make a commitment to do the next thing. This brings about the conclusion of the matter: God sends Ananias to bring Saul’s sight back; then God sends Saul to open the eyes of the world to the good news of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Speaking of consequences - both of these seemingly random crises, consequently lead to the gospel of Jesus Christ being proclaimed and shared throughout every part of the world.

If you are reading this - these two crises and their resolutions are the reason that you are even remotely interested in what we have to write. They are the reason you have purpose today. They are the reason your past does not dictate your future.

What about you? What crisis are you in right now? Know this - you are not alone. And, your crisis and its resolution may be what somebody else needs to hear about in order for them to make it through their crisis. 

After all, that’s why they call it “testimony.” 

The question? Will you stand up and testify?

Socks and Sympathy

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” - Luke 13:1-5

This past weekend Missy’s family gathered all together at Fort Boonesborough State Park in Winchester, Kentucky. This is something they have done for years during the Labor Day weekend - and boy, is camping “labor!”

I (Steve) drove back to North Carolina on Saturday for worship on Sunday. Sunday, I turned right around and drove back to a wet and muddy Kentucky.

Along the way I drove through far Eastern Kentucky and parts of the Appalachian Mountains. The drive took me through Wolfe, Lee, Breathitt, Perry and Letcher counties. These were a few of the counties utterly devastated by recent flooding.

One of the horrific images which shall be forever lodged in my mind as I was driving by Lost Creek on Ky 15 - just a few miles outside of Jackson - was the sight of bedding and clothing…15-25 ft in the air clinging to the branches of trees.

The creek, which has subsided, was gently rolling along next to the road - all while sheets, blankets, shirts and even socks were hanging from the branches directly above.

Homes, which had been removed from their foundations, were wrapped around trees, some even upside down; cars were littered across the creek. Still mourning and homeless families were standing silently or picking through rubbish trying to salvage anything from a life which no longer exists for them.

It left you feeling helpless. It made you ask, “God, where were you when this happened?”

In our scripture today we see where Jesus brings up two horrific and unfortunate events. Some had apparently been blaming the victims for what happened to them. Sound familiar?

Yet, the truth is this: things just sometimes happen. Life happens.

There is no explaining it. There is no comfort. There is only brokenness.

It is at this point that a lot of Christians - including those who serve as ministers or are in leadership positions - give only pat answers like, “I am praying for you.” Or, even worse - in the case of those impacted by the floods - “Well, they shouldn’t live by a creek…”

At best, we know that people say these things only because they don’t know what else to say. They are at a loss for words. At worst, they actually think that way and consider themselves better people than others.

Jesus, who we are called to follow, gives us a couple of questions to consider before we begin pronouncing judgment on people who are or have experienced a horrible life moment:“Do you think that these…were worse sinners? Do you think they were more guilty than all the others?”

Of course, in our feeble and self-preserving ways, we are constantly comparing ourselves with others - you know, trying to place ourselves in a better light. What better way to do that than to think others are “worse” than us.

Perhaps no one truly understood this better than Saul/Paul of Tarsus. I Timothy 1:15 has him openly declaring, “I am the chief of sinners.” The NET version pounds it home: “I am the worst of them!”

If each of us viewed ourselves from this lens there would be no need to judge another. No need to blame someone else. No necessity laid upon us to compare ourselves with anyone.

Perhaps the next time we witness something terrible befall someone the first response we should have is one of empathy. Of understanding. Of a broken heart that immediately goes to God in prayer for that person and that situation.

British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings.

A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress.

After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma.

What about you? Is there anyone you know who needs your empathy? Your sympathy? Your understanding? Your compassion?

After all, isn’t that what Jesus gave us when “While we were still sinning Christ died for us”?