During the month of November we are focusing on being thankful. We did this last year, too, but last year I picked passages that specifically focused on giving praise to God. This year, I've decided to use the lectionary, and take these "everyday" passages and look at them closely to find ways to be thankful in the midst of everyday life.
Using the lectionary readings to find stories of thanksgiving has been challenging. Last week we talked about "being thankful for the small and strange." This week the focus is "being thankful in desperate moments."
The passages this week are...
1 Samuel 1:4-20
Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8
The first passage is the story of Hannah. Hannah is the very definition of desperate. The image of her desperately praying in the temple is one that is very moving to me. I realize as I read this story that Hannah is a great model for our faith. She faced a very desperate situation, and did not hide her emotions. But, she didn't waste time complaining or blaming others for her affliction. She took the problem to God. Her earnest, fervrent prayer is a fantastic model for how to deal with desperate moments. Not only that, but when she prayed she made a bargain with God. This is not a move that I recommend, but Hannah (unlike most of us) actually keeps her half of the bargain. She was so thankful, and so completly trusted in God's promises that she was able to completly give her child back to God.
The second passage is from Hebrews, and again reminds us that because of all that Jesus did for us on the cross, we can lift up our hearts and be thankful. Even more, the author seems to know human nature very well, and so reminds us that we need to remember to "provoke one another to love and good deeds." Sometimes, we all need a little help being thankful. But, as Hebrews reminds us, when we gather together, we can help one another to live out our calling.
Last, but not least, we have the passage from the Gospel of Mark. In it, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple, and the end of the world. I can imagine the shock and the horror that his disciples must have felt upon hearing this news. No one wants to imagine such horrible destruction and chaos. Yet, here is the question that I have, what does it mean that these awful predictions came from Jesus, their trusted teacher, friend, and Savior? Somehow in the very fact that Jesus predicted such awful things, we know that Jesus will be with us in these awful moments. And that, gives us a reason to be thankful.
Questions to ponder...
Where have I seen God working in the desperate moments in my life?
How do we comfort those who are going through desperate times? How do we show them that God is there?
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1 comment:
Often, it is those who have been tested and gone through a similar crisis who are best able to use that pain to comfort another by letting them know that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. I have heard small-group dynamics likened to a herd of animals surrounding and defending an injured member - we are Emmanuel in that moment.
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