Glimpses of Light

Many are experiencing and discussing the difficulties common to a world under pandemic and quarantine - loneliness, anxiety, desperation, etc. In own church we've just started a new series focused on building resilience, focused on how believing the gospel and building virtue on top of virtue, following the model given in 2 Peter 1:3-11. The general tone of folks I've talked to is upbeat about it, that it matches what they feel like they need. Even in the church we're not immune to fear or despair at the broken state of the world and our lives; if anything, the picture of eternal perfection given in the Bible should make us more world-weary in times like this, wishing we could just be done with it and get to the good part. Isn't that understandable?

Unfortunately we're not promised the early exit we desire. If anything, the way Jesus and the apostles talk about life between the ascension and the second coming asserts that we should prepare for difficulty, uncertainty, and not knowing when the end will come - we have to be in for the "long haul". In the privileged West we didn't have as much experience with trudging through months or years of toil until recently (though certainly some individuals or groups of people have been oppressed or suffered tragedies). And the problem with resilience is that it's most often formed, rather than appearing instantly. So we shouldn't be surprised that we're unprepared when the world quickly goes from affluent and enjoyable to isolated and miserable. The series my church is starting, and what many other experts are discussing, is meant to play "catch up", to try to build resilience up in the midst of dealing with the consequences of not having it in the first place. This is no small task.

So far the focus has been on truth - grounding our minds and hearts in the hope of the gospel and in the promise of transformation it presents. This reminds me of the parable of the builders in Matthew 7 - laying a foundation on top of which to stand firmly. I think this is good, but as I've been thinking through the practical mechanics of that - how it would work and help me day to day, I'm not sure that will be enough for me, personally. That's not to say that the teaching is deficient, just that I need something on top of it due to my personality and heart.

Maybe a year ago our pastor, Nic Gibson, gave a model of 3 different ways people tend to be inspired. First, some people are motivated by knowing the truth - as they examine it more deeply, they are spurred to action. For others, stoking their emotions and seeing other people's passion is what gets them going. The third category of folks are motivated by opportunities to help or connect with people. Contrary to what those who know me well might expect, I align most closely with the second category - for me what has always built up my faith and inspired the most change in me is experiencing the emotions of God toward me and others, and encountering him through prayer and worship. It's this that heals me, that gives me joy and peace when everything practical is going wrong and seems unfixable - I get a foretaste of heaven and a respite from what is hard.

In a world that is darker than usual and that seems it will stay that way for a while, we all need occasional glimpses of light to stoke the fire of hope and passion in our hearts. For me, that means that I need more time with God so that I stay in tune with His emotions toward me, His compassion on the world, and the pleasure of His presence. That's how I stay connected to the hope of eternity, by escaping with God and experiencing it for even just a moment. Others will find this respite and escape through reading the Bible and others' commentary on it - truth itself is strengthening for them because it reminds them of the perfect ideals of God and that eventually "truth will out". Still others need personal connection, which is unusually tough to safely get on a consistent basis right now. Those folks will likely need to find dedicated friends or family to meet with, in addition to adjusting any roles they serve others in. They will need to find ways to keep in their mind and heart the hope of perfect, wholesome community.

Resilience for each of us will be built slightly differently - all of us need a foundation of truth, some measure of time with God, and to help others with their needs, but the specific ratios will vary and the ways in which we each need to be disciplined will, too. The beautiful thing about practicing discipline in the things that are most helpful for us is that's it's self-encouraging - when I have the little bit of discipline to spend some time in worship before bed or in the morning, I remember why it's so beneficial for me, and I want to do it again the next time. 

I pray that you find your ways to catch glimpses of light that strengthen and encourage. God is not unmerciful in his use of trials to grow us - he has promised to give us everything we need for abundant life and Godliness, and he hasn't left us alone but rather filled us with His Spirit. He will give us an escape from our present when that's what we need, and will open our eyes to see more and more consistently what is worth hoping in and for.