Time for a Tune-up

There is an old expression that says, “When things get tough the tough get going.” I’m not sure that’s the greatest tenet to live by, but maybe we could adjust the saying to something like this: “When things get tough, and when times are hard, bring your problems, fears and anxieties to God’s garage. Allow God to tinker with, fix and tune-up your soul.”

In our reading from Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah, also known as the “weeping prophet”, is a symbol for his nation and his people. He personifies the tragic events and the grim situation of the destruction of the temple, and the nation, and the deportation of the nation’s leaders elsewhere. The prophet says, “The thought of my affliction and homelessness is burdensome. My soul is in despair. I am discouraged and have no place to call home. I am desolate and deeply troubled.”

Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem.In Jewish bibles it appears beside the Song of Songs, Ruth, Ecclesiastes and Esther (known as the “Five Scrolls”). The destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BCE forms the background to the poems.
The prophet continues:

        But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
        The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
        They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
        “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
        The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
        It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Here we have a picture of a person, Jeremiah, who represents the city of Jerusalem, which on the outside is troubled, a person that has been persecuted and imprisoned. He struggles with bitterness, but he knows where his help will come from. It’s like he takes hold of his soul and says: “Soul, listen up now and get in line with my belief and my hope in God. Therefore I will hope in God. I do not have a home but the Lord is my home. I have everything I need”. It reminds me of the psalmist’s words: “I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Wait for the LORD;be strong and take heart,and wait for the LORD”. (Psalm 27:13-14)

In our second reading today from 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul, or perhaps a later bishop following in the tradition of Paul, is encouraging Timothy to rekindle the gift of God that is already within his soul, and to rely on hat power of God to do what he is called to do. Paul encourages Timothy, just like we encourage our children, that they are loved. He reminds Timothy that he is in a family that loves him, his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Some of you might not have been brought up in a family that showed you love, but we are all a church family, a family that is called to look out and to care for one another, and it should also encourage all of us not to think too much of ourselves and not to think too little of ourselves. Don’t think that you’re so special, but also do not throw yourself under the bus either. This passage encourages us all to remember the roots of our faith, and to remember those good Christian traditions and not to stray from that firm foundation. Paul says to Timothy and it is applicable to every one of us. He says, “I encourage you to stir up that special gift, that special calling that you have from God, because God has not given us a fear of timidity and forwardness, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline”.

Paul encourages Timothy with these words: : “Do not be ashamed about the testimony of our Lord, and guard the true treasure entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit who is living in you. Kindle that fire, that love gift that is within you. And finally, don’t just stir up the gift that is already inside of you, but also guard what has been entrusted to your care”. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

It’s understandable that sometimes we are tired when we come to church. We’ve worked all week, and then there are responsibilities with church and church functions, etc…, and it always seems that the responsibilities of the church fall on the shoulders of a few, especially a small church. Doesn’t it seem like that to you? There are not enough people to go around, and so everybody is wearing multiple hats. It can be very difficult and very strenuous. So what is the solution?

If we all had that attitude this would be a remarkable church. It already is a remarkable church, but it would even be more so, not thinking that we need to be served in return for what we do, realizing the servant’s heart that God has put inside each one of us, that treasure that we are encouraged to “stir up that gift that is in you”. “Stir up that gift that is in each and every one of you, the gift of God imparted by the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit that resides in you, in this church and in this community”.

“Rekindle that gift so that you may serve your brother and sister, knowing what the true treasure is. In other words, always be available for an attitude adjustment. And, that adjustment is this: “The true treasure is Christ within you, the hope of glory”. “The true pearl, the pearl that is beyond price, is the Living Christ. True treasures are built on relationships, beginning with a right relationship with God, with each other and with all things. True treasures! Where your treasure is there will be your heart also”.

Then we can say along with the weeping prophet:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
        they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
        “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
        The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
        It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD

Amen