Tug of War

Based on James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Life is full of tension. We are always being pulled in more than one direction. Different demands, different responsibilities, always calling for our attention. I have some errands to run, but I want to finish this book. The budget is going to be tight this month, but they never get into the playoffs. I’ve got to go see them play now There is so much I’ve got to get done today, but I am so tired. People are counting on me, but I just can’t do it. Yes, we are pulled in many directions. Life has tension, and sometimes we get close to the breaking point.

One of the big tensions we have to deal with is the tension between two kinds of wisdom. That’s what James is talking about in this passage we heard this morning. He speaks of wisdom that comes from above and wisdom that comes from below. These two wisdoms are like two anchors in a game of tug of war. You know what I mean? Each side will have their biggest player at the end of the rope. The rope is wrapped around that person. They are the ones who do the most pulling and everyone on each side is helping that anchor pull with all their might to move that flag over the line. These two wisdoms are like that anchor. We are that flag being pulled one way or another. Which direction will we go? Will we move toward the wisdom that comes from above, live out of that kind of wisdom? Or will we live by the wisdom of the world? That is the tension that we find ourselves in all the time.

The wisdom of the world is about the way of the world. “There’s a sucker born every minute.” “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” “Never let them see you cry.” “You need to look after your own interests because no one is going to do that for you.” “If you aren’t successful, then you are a failure.” “Second place is first loser.” “New and improved is always better.” “You must adapt or die.” “Survival of the fittest.” It’s a dog-eat-dog world.”

Wisdom from above, divine wisdom, is this: “Put the interests of other above your own.” “True love is this, to give up your life for another.” “If someone strikes you on one check, offer the other as well.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” “There is freedom in service.” It is wisdom that doesn’t make sense. It is opposite of worldly wisdom or even common sense. But, after all, God’s ways are not our own ways. It is a way of living that often goes against the grain, in opposition to “how the world works.”

I was at a service once where Bishop Palmer gave the sermon. In his talk, he referenced a book on leadership written by an Anglican priest. It is a book that contrasts what the world teaches us about leadership and what God teaches. For example, the conventional wisdom for someone who enters into a new leadership position is to hit the ground running. Prepare yourself before you go in, clear about what needs to be done to move the mission forward, work with that positive feeling of the honeymoon period, move quickly. But another way is to hit the ground on our knees. Instead of coming in with your own agenda of what needs to be done, cleaning house, pushing forward, instead, enter in to the new assignment with a spirit of openness and humility, seeking direction from God, inviting your leaders to join you in a season of prayer to discover together where God might be leading.

Here’s another: conventional wisdom is that leaders should have thick skins. When you are in a position of authority, people who are hurt by a system will direct their hurt at you. People in positions of leadership are not always going to be liked and will always have their detractors and critics. So, you have to have a thick skin, to take the verbal blows so you can move forward. But maybe there is another way. Maybe leaders should have thin skins. If your skin is too thick, you throw up a wall. You are unable to be responsive to people. A thick skin is not a transparent skin. A thin skin allows for the experience of pain, makes you vulnerable, makes you human.

This is the tension: hit the ground running or hit the ground on your knees. Have thick skin or have thin skin. Which way will you go?

One time, I was at a coffee shop seated close to a couple of young women chatting about life. One of them made a statement that stuck with me. She said, “Is life about being successful, having a great career and making lots of money, or is it about how well you have loved and keeping the faith?” So well put. It crystallizes that tension we are all in. Is life ultimately about being successful or being faithful? Is it about having lots of money or is it about loving deeply? Of course, you can be rich and also deeply loving. You can have a successful career and remain a deeply faithful Christian. But in the end, what matters more? That’s the tension.

As Christians, our task, our struggle, is to submit ourselves to divine wisdom and not worldly wisdom. As we live out our lives and confront our challenges, we have to always be asking ourselves, “Which direction will I go? Whose advice will I follow?” As Christians, our desire should always be to follow God’s advice, to follow the direction we receive from Scripture, and from those who have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, who can direct us in ways that honor God.

But it is still a struggle. The wisdom of the world is all around us. The world works a certain way and we live in it, constantly being influenced by it. To strike out and follow God’s wisdom while we are in the world is sometimes like swimming upstream when everyone else is going downstream. It is so easy to get pulled in this tug of war towards living our lives as the wisdom of the world dictates. To go in the other direction takes effort. It takes discernment, of being careful about the advice you receive, and the influences that you allow to take hold in your mind and in your heart. It takes acknowledgement that what seems like the right thing to do may not be so, that what God may be calling you to do makes no worldly sense. You have to risk ridicule and misunderstanding by others. To submit to God’s way and not to the way of the world is always a struggle.

But it is the right struggle. It is the good fight. That fight is to have pure heart, a heart in which we will just one thing. That’s what an undivided heart means, to will one thing. And that one thing that we are to desire is to submit to God. We want our will to be God’s will. Our only desire is to know and do God’s will. We remember the story when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. And he cried out to God in prayer, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.” As Christians, we want to give our hearts, completely and without reservation, to God. This is the goal, the struggle, the good fight, in which we are all engaged as Christians.

And so, as we draw near to God, as we submit to God, to following God’s way and not the way of the world, we find that we must resist the devil to do so. We must resist the influence that the devil would have on us. By submitting to God, we must resist envy and selfish ambition, the two ways in which the devil often tries to influence us. Envy and selfish ambition, by the way, is the foundation for much of what passes for the wisdom of the world. I want what they have. I’m going to knock them down so I can get my way. I have my goals and, if it means using other people to get what I want, so be it. If it means climbing over people on my way to the top, well, it’s just business, nothing personal.

We discover that as we draw nearer to God, there is less incentive to be envious of others. As we draw closer to God, we find that our own selfish ambition loses its pull. The more we fall in love with Jesus, desire only to worship, be devoted to, and follow our Master, it does something to our hearts. It does something to our felt needs and desires. We look at our situations in life, perhaps look back to all that we fought and stewed about when we are younger, before we had drawn closer to God, and we ask ourselves, “Why was I fighting? Why did I let that person get to me? Why did I think that fight was worth fighting?”

See, the closer we draw to God, the less envious we become, the less attractive or meaningful becomes our own selfish ambitions. We discover the secret of peace, of joy, of contentment. Paul speaks of how he has had much and he has had little, but in every situation he has discovered how to be content. Paul knew that the things of this world, and the standing a person has in the world, are all temporary and can be taken quickly. But God is eternal and unchanging. God’s love and acceptance is unbending. The only security that can be truly had is the grace that God offers us. God’s love endures forever. To be with God, to keep the faith and love deeply, that is enough. To get to that place in life is a peaceful place to be.

Life will always have tension. We can resist the devil, as James tells us. But the devil, like the anchor on the other end of the tug of war rope, is persistent. To draw close to God and away from the devil is an ongoing and never-ending struggle. Sometimes we are going the direction we want to go. Other times, we get tired or distracted, and before we know it, we are moving in the wrong direction. We keep going back and forth. The good fight is ongoing. But our home remains in God. For we know that the fight is already won. It was won on the cross. Our choice is whether we will pull with God, and see this fight through to the end.

Speech is Powerful

Based on James 3:1-12

Speech is powerful. To have the permission to speak should not be taken lightly. There’s a reason why the first amendment in our bill of rights refers to the right of free speech. To speak is to have influence on the people who hear your voice. When you speak, you are impacting the people that hear you. They may not understand what you are saying. They may not agree with what you are saying. But the words you say still gets in their brains. They are not the same once they have heard what you said. Maybe you have heard this phrase, “You can’t unsay something.” Once it is out there, you can’t take it back. Speech can change views or reinforce views. Speech can stir up emotions or calm people down. Lives can be changed through speech. To speak is to use power.

Speech has the power to inspire. Some speeches have become legendary because of their power to inspire: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Reagan’s “Morning in America” speech, Kennedy’s Inaugural speech where he said that classic line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” These and many other speeches we have heard have lifted our hearts, stirred us with pride, opened up our minds to new possibilities, given us confidence and hope for the future. Speech can inspire us.

Speech also has the power to destroy. Speech can stir up hatred, divisiveness, and chaos. It can feed grievances. It can play on our fears. It can cast blame, undermine trust, promote conspiracy theories and propaganda. Speech can rally a mob into a frenzy. We saw what speech can do in Washington, D.C. on January 6. Speech radicalized the terrorists that hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001 that led to destruction and incomprehensible loss at so many levels. Speech can inspire us. Speech can bring out the worst in us. Speech is powerful.

Speech also has the power to create. When God created the heavens and the earth, God spoke these things into existence. The language of mathematics can create algo rhythms that are revolutionizing the technology that fills our lives. The language of philosophy creates explanations for how the world works and what is the meaning of life, of why there is something instead of nothing. The language of history creates explanations of what happened in the past and what that might mean, what lessons we can learn from history that we can apply today, or maybe understand what is happening now. As the saying goes, “History doesn’t repeat itself but it does rhyme.” Stories, myths, legends, these are forms of speech that help us name what is true, who we are, who we should be. The speech of poetry stimulates our imagination which can inspire us or simply entertain us. Here’s a fun one from Shel Silverstein:

Peg plugged in her ‘lectric toothbrush,

Mitch plugged in his steel guitar,

Rick plugged in his CD player,

Liz plugged in her VCR.

Mom plugged in her ‘lectric blanket,

Pop plugged in the TV fights,

I plugged in my blower-dryer—

Hey! Who turned out all the lights?

Above all else, speech comes from the heart. What we say reveals something about our hearts.  Speaking from the heart is unavoidable. Even if we are reading out loud the words of someone else, how we say it and why we chose to read those words out loud reveals something about our heart. When we say things that are not true, that try to deceive how we really feel or what is really going on, that reveals our hearts anyway. When we say things that are warm and loving, or when we say something that is hurtful, this all reveals our hearts. As James points out, blessings and curses come out of our mouths, which reveals how our hearts are divided. Our hearts are a combination of love and cruelty, of warmth and coldness. The truth about our divided hearts is revealed by the words that come out of our mouths.

All of us have hearts that have been hurt. Our hearts are wounded and scarred. That’s what life does to us. None of us get through life unscathed. Part of what salvation is about is the healing of the heart. When we confess our trust in Jesus and invite Jesus into our lives, Jesus moves into our hearts. Jesus is the great physician. Jesus works to heal our broken and beaten hearts. It’s not quick. Inviting Jesus into our hearts does not eliminate the hurts that come our way. The healing of our hearts is a life-long process. It takes time to be healed from the damage that has been inflicted on us. Besides the fact that our hearts get hurt all through our lives. We are all in continual need of healing in our hearts.

Because our hearts have been bruised, because the cancer of sin has plagued our hearts, is it any wonder that we sometimes say things we wish we hadn’t said? Is it any wonder that we fail to speak up when we should? If the source of our speech is our heart, and our hearts are beaten and scarred and distorted by sin, it’s no wonder that we sometimes say things that are not pure but are bitter? As James says, fresh water doesn’t come from a bitter source. Especially for those of us, like me, who have a tendency to speak before thinking, the impurity of our hearts can be on full display.

One of the lessons that James gives us throughout this letter is the need for us to focus on the work of healing our hearts. This is what salvation is about. It’s not just fire insurance. It’s not just knowing that you are forgiven or that you will go to heaven when you die. No, salvation is about healing, the healing of the heart. Salvation is about purifying our hearts as the Holy Spirit inhabits and fills our hearts. It is about cleansing our hearts from the impurities that have stained it. There is this classic praise song that goes, “Change my heart, O God; make it ever new. Change my heart, O God; make me be like you.” This is the essence of salvation. And this work of salvation is life-long. It takes a lot of repentance, of humbling yourself, admitting your mistakes and receiving that word that in the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Words of love and forgiveness have the power to heal our hearts.

While we are working on healing our hearts, it is probably best for us to guard our speech. If anything, so we minimize harm. I think we all know the saying we were taught as kids, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a bunch of baloney. Words can hurt. Words can cause a lot of trauma that can leave deep wounds. James shares the consensus of teachers from many cultures and throughout the centuries: that it is always better to listen than to speak. Maybe you have heard this truism: God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Perhaps you remember those E.F. Hutton commercials: Two men are in a posh restaurant talking about the stock market. One of them says to the other, “Who is your broker?” And his friend says, “My broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says…” And everything goes silent. The waiters, the others in the restaurant, they freeze, close their mouths, and wait to hear because when E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.

Then there are the wise souls. Maybe you have known a few. They rarely speak. And when they do talk, they don’t say much. But what they do say are words that need to be heard. They are words that are thoughtful and just what needs to be said in the moment. To be a person of few words is not a bad thing. So, I think I will stop right here.

To Love is to Respond

Based on James 2:1-10, 14-17

It is pretty tough to be overlooked, to be passed over. It hurts to be ignored, to be pushed aside. George had been with the company fifteen years. He rarely missed a day of work. He worked hard. He contributed to the success of the company. He was dependable and solid. Yet, he finds himself being supervised by some kid who has only been with the company a few years. George got passed over for the supervisor job because upper management saw someone with potential, so they put him on the fast track, moving him through the ranks while George, who had put in the time and knew the ins and outs of the company, was passed over. George kept doing his job. But he had some resentment. Was George passed over because he was too old? Was it because he was Black? George is one of many examples of competent, dedicated, and hard-working people who get passed over.

Which is worse, being passed over or being ignored all together? Marcia had burned her bridges with her family. She had a man who promised to love her and take care of her. But he cheated on her and when she caught him, he kicked her out of his place. She had nowhere to live, no money, nowhere to go. And so, there she sits in front of the bank with a little scrap of cardboard scribbled on it, “Homeless, need help, God bless you.” She sits there all morning. Hundreds of people walk past her. And not one person even looks at her. It is as if she is invisible to the world.

What is especially bad is when people are overlooked or ignored in the church. I wonder if you have ever had this experience. You are visiting a church. You go into the sanctuary, worship, and then leave the sanctuary. Your presence is barely acknowledged. You walk out into the narthex and see groups of people huddled together chatting and laughing. They seem like a friendly bunch of people. You walk slowly around the groups of folks and head out the door. Nobody even noticed you apparently. I’m sure the people in that church would say they are friendly. But they were so friendly with each other they barely noticed you. It’s not a good feeling to be the one who gets the message that you don’t belong, in church of all places.

Let’s sit with this for a minute. Every now and then we do have people who come visit us on Sunday morning. When we see that visitor, all of us give them the once-over. It’s human nature. We see the person and immediately start sizing them up and making judgments. Is this someone I can relate to? Are they here to worship or do they just want to see the pastor? We do this. We make snap judgments about someone and try to pigeon-hole them, so we think we know who we are dealing with. This starts in school when kids form cliques based on all kinds of criteria. You are a jock, or a band geek, or a nerd. It is natural for us to cluster into groups based on similar interests, perspectives, and the like. How is it possible for you to be friends with a Michigan fan? I know personally that this is possible. If, every time you look at this person, you are turned off because of their style, their attitude, their bad breath, it’s hard to connect. If you have no common interests, your personalities clash, there’s just a bad vibe between the two of you. It’s hard to be in a relationship with a person who is always rubbing you the wrong way. We tend to want to spend time with people we like, that we agree with, that make us feel comfortable. We avoid being around people that put us on edge, that we think are weird or annoying. To show partiality is as normal as breathing. It’s just something we do without thinking about it.

But James makes it plain. “If you show partiality, then you are not loving your neighbor.” Your neighbor doesn’t always look like you or think like you. Your neighbor isn’t always easy to be around. Your neighbor may not fit in and might make you feel very uncomfortable. But they are still your neighbor. Anyone who enters your space, that six-foot circumference around your body, is your neighbor. And God’s commandment is clear: You shall love your neighbor. To show partiality, to overlook or ignore the person in your space, is not loving. It is hurtful.

Remember, love is not mere words. You walk into the bank and see Marcia sitting there with her little sign. You actually see her, which is a start. You look at her and say, “God bless you, be fed, stay warm, be safe.” And then you go on your way. Well, at least Marcia knows she isn’t invisible. But her situation hasn’t changed. Your nice words don’t help her. Love is not a matter of words only. Now, I know. Whether or not to give money to someone who is homeless is complicated. Maybe you can give them something to eat or some water. Maybe if you have time, you can have a quick bite with them at a near-by restaurant. Or maybe you really have nothing to give them. Acknowledging their presence is all you have to give and that should not be minimized. Still, at least for me, every time I see someone who is homeless, I am at least motivated to ask the question, “Is there something I can do right now to help this person?” Maybe there isn’t anything more than saying “hello.” The point is to be responsive and not look away. That’s what love asks of us.

Remember that love is not only a warm and fuzzy feeling. Every parent can testify to this truth. There are times when you were raising your kids, especially when they hit their teen age years, when the feelings were not always warm and fuzzy. You drove each other crazy! But you still loved your kids. Or maybe you were raising “fur babies.” Pets can be irritating sometimes. But you still love them. Even when your dog chewed up your wallet or your child stomped down the hall to their bedroom screaming, “I hate you!”, you still had love. It’s just that love is not all rainbows, butterflies, and pink unicorns.

Love is an ethic. Love is being responsive to the person in front of you, a responsiveness that meets the need of that person, so that they are better off for having run in to you. To love Marcia means to help her get what she needs if you can, whether that be some food or some shelter. What could you do besides smile and say, “God bless you?” Do you have the time to take her to a diner and share a meal with her and hear her story? Maybe you could tell her about the homeless shelter for women that can get her a safe place to stay and the resources she needs to get her life together.

How can you love that person that annoys the heck out of you? You don’t have to like them. That may be asking too much. But you can at least smile and say “hi.” That’s a place to start. What else could you do to support them, to respond to a need they might have, to communicate in a real way that you care about them?

God shows no partiality. God loves everyone the same. That’s what makes God, God. God does not overlook you. God includes you in God’s care. When Jesus died on the cross so that death would be defeated, it was for your sake that Jesus died. Jesus suffered death on behalf of everyone, not just for some. God is always there for you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. God’s love is that big.

That is our challenge as God’s children, as those who have determined to live our lives following God’s example. The example God has set for us is hard. To love as God loves isn’t really possible. It’s that goal of perfection, of perfect love, that we strive for until we draw our last breath in this world. To love as God loves is something we strive for if our faith is to have any integrity. How can you say you love God, but you don’t love that annoying misfit whom God made? How can you say you love God and hate anyone? Well, hate may be a strong word. But maybe sometimes it’s not. Our integrity demands that we love. But sometimes love for the other is almost impossible. Thank God that God doesn’t love us based on our capacity to love others. God loves us no matter what. Still, this is our challenge. Whenever anyone enters your space, that six-foot circle around you, that’s your neighbor. God expects you to love your neighbor. How will you respond?