One of the absolute truths about life in our contemporary world is that frustration is rampant. Everything is nuts! And, if you listen closely, so is everyone you know!
Part of the problem, of course, is the massive uncertainty.
We humans like for things to be predictable and plannable. We want to know that things are going to be just like the last time we did them, but perhaps with a few flourishes thrown in.
Like school shopping. Do you really need a new backpack for junior or don’t you?
Most of us can deal with some uncertainty. We may not love it, but we can struggle through. And a few of us are wildly creativity and so enjoy the change, but even then, within certain limits. But very few of us are dealing well with the world we live in today!
Struggling with uncertainty takes a toll. It depletes our energy. It makes us wish for a different time when things seemed simpler, even if the reality wasn’t that simple.
Sue and I used to laugh at our neighbor DiDi Reynolds who lived across the street who seemed to repaint the whole interior of her house each year.
But she didn’t take the whole house apart. That would have been too much to handle, just like the “too much to handle” we are dealing with right now as we try to negotiate the massive scale of changes that are upending life.
COVID, race relations, politics, fake news, schools reopening or not, unemployment, people unable to pay rent and mortgages (individuals and businesses) stores going out of business, and travel restrictions, and so much more, all while the normal everyday challenges of life continue.
It’s too much all at the same time, and it has left us grasping for comfort as we search for answers. We are frustrated, and angry, and scared. Fear is at an all-time high, and because of it, we see people treating each other in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
The hope is that somehow it is all going to go back to normal.
But, of course, it isn’t. Yes, somethings will. Just like after every national crisis, somethings go back. But they don’t go back all the way because some things have changed forever. And thought that leaves us breathless.
Some people will work from home from now on. Some people will order online because the stores they once bought from aren’t there.
And relationships?
Yes, they will go back, but only if we stop now and look around and make sure that our frustration doesn’t cut off friendships with people we care about because we have decided to take out our confusion and anger on them.
We need to deal positively with our frustration. And we need to see the frustration of others for what it is, a reaction to a crazy, dysfunctional world.
We need to listen to others with grace and love, we need to share as best we can what we have including our emotional energy, and we need to be very careful we don’t push others out of our lives right now, because we may need them and their energy, intelligence, imagination and love farther down the road.
Now, to be clear, frustration and anger are part of the human experience. We all feel both of them, yes all of us! Even Jesus!
Yes, Jesus got frustrated, today’s scripture is a great example. And he got angry. Check out the story of the flying tables in the Temple Courtyard or that poor fig tree that forgot to have figs.
In those stories we are reminded that Jesus understands our frustration and anger, our fears and our troubles too! But Jesus also invites us to do something about them that is meaningful and constructive so that those emotions don’t take over our lives and instead, peace, and joy, and grace, can take root.
Last week you may remember we left the disciples Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Now further in Luke’s gospel we are off the hill and back with the twelve. And Jesus is confronted with a crowd and some real frustration!
A man yells to Jesus about his son who is demon processed and then adds “I begged your disciples to force out the demon, but they couldn’t do it.”
Remember, these are the same disciples who went out on a mission trip for Jesus and healed people and cast out demons! But now, these disciples seem to have forgotten who they are and what they are supposed to be doing while Jesus was away!
Unlike us.
No, we who are angry, scared and frustrated have not forgotten that we are the children of the Most High God, empowered with the Holy Spirit, fearless in the face of whatever we face because we know God has us here and now for a reason!
Well maybe we have forgotten a little!
And Jesus said to them, “You people are stubborn and don’t have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you?”
Now you can read this as Jesus being frustrated at his disciples and that’s okay! Or you can think that he is frosted at the people gathered too. Jesus was certainly capable of being completely human, and feel our human emotions.
But I suspect it was more a response like what happens when I say to my grandson Noah, “Why are you eating sand! We’ve talked about this. Sand is not for Noah to eat! Don’t eat sand. Sometimes little guy, you make me crazy!”
As in Jesus saying, “Yo disciples! We talked about this. You have the power over demons! But for some reason you still don’t have the kind of faith that can move mountains. I’m not going to be here much longer. Y’all need to get it together!”
Yes, Jesus was frustrated! The disciples were growing in faith, but so slowly. They advanced one day and retreated another and time was running short.
Because you know when we really need our faith to be fully formed? Do you?
Strong, resilient, prepared, dynamic faith ready to hit the ground running? When do we need it? In the midst of the storm!
In the midst of this storm! Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next year. Not on our death bed. Today.
So that as we meet friends and relatives, and folks at work or in the neighborhood or even online we can be the ones who bring the loving, calming, healing presence of Jesus to folks who are scared, and frustrated, and angry, in the midst of all this craziness!
It turns out that we too are disciples, learning the ways of Jesus.
But make no mistake, we are also apostles, everyone of us, sent to bring the good news of Jesus, the peace that passes understanding, to this frustrated world.
Go, in Jesus name!
Amen.
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