There once was a time that I would check my retirement account regularly. However, with the continuous doom and gloom of the recent markets and the myriad of commentators readily expressing less than encouraging forecasts I don’t even want to open the quarterly statements.
A good friend and my parents’ pastor, Rev. George Warren, recently wrote in his newsletter about the current financial woes. His article reminded me of something I read in a preaching magazine written by Timothy Merrill. I want to share it with you as Rev. Warren wrote it.
“Timothy Merrill, in Homiletics, reminds me that we might be tempted to tell ourselves to ‘Be mindful’ of this and ‘Be mindful’ of that. Yet, sometimes, being MINDful is precisely the problem. We lose sleep because our minds are so full. We’ve already got too much stuff in our heads. What we need is some new ‘Be-attitudes’—attitudes for our BEINGS (our soul). Here are a few of his ‘Be (SOULful) Attitudes’ and a few of my own.”
1. BE SOULFUL…of the Reality: It Is tough out there, and there’s no point in denying this. People are suffering; people are losing chunks of their retirement packages; some are losing their homes; others are losing their jobs. Sometimes life is NOT fair.
2. BE SOULFUL…of your Blessings: Are your basic needs being met? Food, shelter, love, friendship. If you have those things, and have nothing else, can you be at peace and experience happiness?
3. BE SOULFUL…of others’ Crises: Think of friends and neighbors who may be experiencing a different kind of crisis, or going through something similar to your own, but even more intense. It would be of huge benefit to you to find someone in crisis and do something for them, even though you yourself are in pain. Sometimes when we focus on lessening the pain of others, our own pain lessens.
4. BE SOULFUL…of the Benefits: Adversity, as uncomfortable as it is, has distinct benefits. See James 1 and other texts. Fire purifies and strengthens. Relationships can grow stronger when crises are fought together. In times of crisis, our community, friendships and family relationships are huge. Nurture those relationships.
5. BE SOULFUL…of Others’ Needs: Most of the world’s population lives at a much lower level of “economic prosperity”—which is the wrong word to chose—than ours. Reevaluate what you call “needs” and realize that these are fabulous luxuries for most of the world. That won’t help pay the mortgage next month, but it does suggest that none of us is alone in this crisis.
6. BE SOULFUL…of your Joy: Adversity doesn’t diminish true joy and peace. Just before he went to the cross, Jesus told his disciples, “My peace I give to you; I don’t give as the world gives.” Are you so connected to God that you have a peace that the world can’t give and joy in the core of your being, even when the world around you is crunching you?
7. BE SOULFUL…of the Kingdom: How might this crisis help change your vision of what God’s will is for you? Think of examples of people who, when they had reached rock bottom, saw and found a way out—a different way, one that they would have never otherwise imagined. “In all things God works for good for those who love the Lord…”
Even in the midst of difficult conditions, I pray that we remain SOULFUL of God’s will instead of focusing so much on our own comforts and security. Remember, we were never designed to take it with us.
I look forward to seeing you in the eternity preparing place on Sunday.
