The 911 effect
The terrible events of 9/11 had a sudden and immediate blow to the world, but some of the mental, emotional, and spiritual fallout did not become fully apparent for a year or two after that fateful day. After a rough year and a half of pandemic, lock-downs, isolation, and staggering racial, health, and political issues, some people are just now hitting the wall. All the ripple effects of loss, grief, and disappointments are sinking in as we continue to adjust to a changing world.
Stress, uncertainty, and division are taking a toll on us. Anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties. How do we relate to other human beings in such a trying time? People are getting in fistfights on the way to their long-awaited vacation. Possibly a sign of a few underlying issues that keep bubbling to the surface?
Some people have barely been touched by the events of the last year and a half. I am so glad for these folks. But don’t underestimate how hard this has been—and still is--on many of us around the world. We will be unpacking the fallout from 2020/2021 for years. How do we navigate the minefields?
Don’t rise to the bait. Everyone has an opinion and judgement on everything. I’ve never seen the Church so splintered and polarized. People criticize us for what we say. People criticize us for what we don’t say.
God is the only one who has all the answers. I try to make wise decisions based on the best possible information and withhold judgment when I am not an expert on issues (which is 99.999% of the time). We used to tell a dear but impulsive friend who lacked a filter: “Just because it’s in your head doesn’t mean it has to come out of your mouth. It IS possible to have an unexpressed thought.”
Some people think if they’re on God’s side and since you’re obviously wrong, they can be as vicious as they want because they are fighting for truth and righteousness.
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
Quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. Listen. Listen. Listen. Then, and only then, speak.
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Proverbs 25:11)
"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:19-20)
I pray that the Holy Spirit would give me wisdom and direction as to when to speak up and when to remain silent. I pray for God’s word, God’s wisdom, God’s agenda, but far too often what comes out of my mouth is just Linda spouting. So, my constant prayer is, “Lord, put Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.”
Be aware of your warning signs. For me, the past year and a half has felt like slogging through quicksand. I work twice as hard and accomplish half as much. How many of you are exhausted? The anagram HALT is a reminder to beware when we become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. I need to pay attention when I am dangerously frazzled. I need to stop, slow down, and care for my soul so I do not make decisions in a fog or a leave trail of destruction behind me by reacting instead of responding.
Grace. Grace. Grace. When the pandemic began, I saw so many acts of kindness. So many people trying to protect the vulnerable. So many people encouraging and serving others through diverse but shared struggles. We thought, “We can do this! It will only be a few weeks.” Days became weeks, weeks became months, months became years.
After a while people grew weary. Irritable. Blaming. Mean. Divisive.
We are all trying to do the best we can. We need to extend grace to others. We need to embrace grace for ourselves. We need to walk in grace to maneuver through a world in pain. We need to lean into Jesus to understand the depth and power of grace.
“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)
Study Jesus. How do we find grace to help in time of need? How do we move forward in the Church? How do we heal the rifts? Fixing our eyes on Jesus.
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
In the Tuesday night online Psalm One Bible Study, we are going back to Matthew. Instead of watching Christians, I want to study Christ. Instead of listening to the clamor of conflicting opinions, I want to listen to His words. How does Jesus handle the whack-a-mole of life? (I’m not sure the term “Whack-a Mole” is found in the original Greek manuscript, but the concept is certainly there.)
Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase sums up my current state:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
Let’s go back to the gospels and watch how Jesus does it. Let’s learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Men and women from anywhere are welcome to join us as we study Jesus on Tuesdays at 7:30pm ET (That’s Wednesday morning for you Aussies.) We’ve had people show up from a dozen states and three countries. Sign up to stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study
Fixing our eyes on Jesus,
Much love,
Linda