Psalm 22:4 – In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

“Your brain is just in overdrive.” That’s what a cardiologist recently told me when I was referred for repeated fainting incidents and other weird symptoms. The good news was that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart.

The troubling news, though, was that two pretty critical parts of my body seemed to be in conflict with each other. My brain had decided that I was over-stressed, over-tired, and over-troubled; so it was sending signals to calm my body down. Meanwhile, my heart was humming along perfectly well, so those signals actually caused more trouble than good.

How often do the brain and the heart seem to want different things? Sure, I’m experiencing a rare physical manifestation of this; but, if you’re anything like me, this happens emotionally more often than we’d like to admit.

Your brain says that you need to stay in the logical, solid, income producing job that you’ve had for years; but your heart says it’s time to take a leap and try something else.

Your brain says you should probably have a nice vegetable quiche for dinner, but your heart says you’ve had a rough day and a chocolate cookie dough shake would really hit the spot.

Your brain says that it’s not time for your family to get a puppy because you have two small children running around all the time, but your heart says that a furry companion would be a fun addition to your chaos.

Your brain says that you should stay isolated for just a little bit longer to clear the pandemic, but your heart wants more than anything to go give your best friend a hug.

How do you get the brain and the heart on the same page? Sure, we can go with the cliché, simply trust God. 100% agree. Now, how do you put that into practice? How many of you have prayed, “I trust you God. Could you please give me a sign of the path you want me on?” I firmly believe that He is holding the steering wheel of my journey through life, but wouldn’t it help if gave a map? I’m not talking about the metaphor-filled map of the Bible, either. I mean one that tells me what I’m supposed to do to be successful tomorrow.

In all honesty, I have no good advice on how to seek this connection between brain and heart. After all, my brain is certifiably in overdrive, but I thought it might be helpful to at least a few of you to know that there are others out there like you. Perhaps, together, we can figure it out, and gain a bit more peace and trust in God.

Lord, Our brains are in overdrive. Please help us to trust. Please help us to find others seeking that connection between brain and heart and honor you as that link. Amen.

“Who has believed what we have heard?
   And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before him like a young plant,
   and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
   nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by others;
   a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces
   he was despised, and we held him of no account.”
Isaiah 53:1-3

In September, 1986 the Des Plaines River flooded. Actually it flooded twice in two years. I was a student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, with a field education assignment at the Des Plaines Church. The pastoral staff of the church went out to the homes of church members to bring both spiritual and practical assistance. At many homes we were directed to the home of a neighbor who “had it worse than me.” At the other homes no one was present because the resident had left to assist their neighbors.

I realized that the most compassionate people were those who themselves were struggling. Empathy comes not from ease, but from hardship. Ease and privilege often result in apathy or disdain for those less fortunate. That’s not the way it is supposed to be. And yet when someone who has been successful engages in philanthropy they are accused of base motives, such as trying to assuage their guilt, or to buy popularity. This is because those in relative ease try to justify their lack of empathy and selfishness by questioning the motives or intelligence of the good.  In popular culture being good is made bad, or foolish, or encouraging of bad behavior. (You can ask Niki and Michael about this. They were literally yelled at for tending to a person experiencing homelessness!)

The scripture passage above is the prophecy of the “Suffering Servant” which Christians view as foretelling and describing Jesus. The Messiah comes to us not in glory to dictate from on high, but as one of us, able to know what it is to be like us. Jesus comes to us in our dire situation. He knows pain, and rejection, and is “acquainted with infirmity.”  Because of this, he can bear our grief and help us in our struggle.

And, bringing new life, he invites us to meet others where they are. Even as we ourselves are struggling, we can reach out to others. In fact, this reaching out affirms that God is at work in us. Jesus invites us to be suffering servants and wounded healers. When we are humbled, God lifts us through joyous outreach.

Right now, around the world, just about everyone is struggling with the pandemic and its effects.  On top of that, much of our nation is dealing with bitter cold. Our friends in Texas seem to have it the worst.

I invite you to affirm the work that God is doing in you and through you – even as we struggle with our isolation and the burdens of pandemic life – by reaching out in prayer, comfort, and service to the people of Texas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is already there. You can participate in the work of UMCOR by making a donation through the Church. Whether you give by check, envelope, or electronically, just note that the gift is to go to UMCOR or “Texas Aid” and we will make sure it goes to that – 100% (Your regular giving to the church pays all the overhead and fundraising expenses).

Thank you, Jesus for meeting us where we are. Thank you for bringing us to yourself. Thank you for working is us to heal others even as we are being healed.  Please, Jesus, bring strength and hope, light and warmth, to the hurting people of Texas, our nation, and the world. Amen.

Your questions for Sunday:

1. What does it mean to have death pass over you?
2. What are the differences between an outward and an inward covenant?
3. How can you prepare yourself to honor your covenant with God?

“Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healing for the body.” Proverbs 16:24

Like many of you, I have registered on Othena to receive my Covid vaccination.  I happened to be up late when the notification that the site was open came through, so I quickly registered.  Minutes later when I received a confirmation for my registration, I realized I’d made a mistake and mis-typed my birthdate. Let’s just say I’m doing pretty well for being 963 years old.  After a bit of frustration in trying to figure out the site, I was finally able to edit my birthdate and went to bed excited that I was on the list.

A few weeks later, I received an email inviting me to make a reservation to receive my vaccination. At that time, we were not back in school and I was excited to think I’d have my first dose by the time we returned to the classroom the following week.  I knew I wasn’t in tier 1A, but figured that maybe we had moved into the next tier without me realizing it.  I made an appointment and was feeling pretty relieved about it before noticing the confirmation had my original, non-edited, birthdate on it.  Frustrated that the system didn’t process my edit, I worried that I was now possibly taking a spot of someone who was supposed to be ahead of me.  I sent an email to Othena explaining what had happened but didn’t hear back so talked about it with a few of my friends who, after having a good laugh about my being 963 years old, all agreed that I should keep the appointment.  Maybe it was a blessing – and the worst that would happen is I would be turned away.

When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how organized Soka University was for quickly moving so many people through the line.  At the first check-in point, I handed the person my reservation form and my ID.  She asked me if I had one of the jobs listed and when I responded with a no she gave me a nervous look. She explained that the system had sent out a large number of invitations to people in the 1B tier over the past few days and she was unfortunately the human that had to tell me I couldn’t move forward and get the vaccine that day.  I quickly let her know that it wasn’t a problem and I understood.  I’m not sure how to explain it but there was some kind of immediate connection as she physically sighed and almost “wilted” as she released the tension she seemed to be holding.  She looked at me and said “Thank you. I’ve had to tell a lot of people this over the past couple of days and many are not as understanding.”  There was nothing special about my response, most people would have responded the same way, but it felt good knowing that I made her job a little easier in that moment.

While driving home from Soka University, I reflected on this interaction.  This woman’s reaction to my simple response made me realize, once again, that it really is the little things that we do and say in our daily interactions that can have the biggest impact.  Our words matter!  There have been many moments during this pandemic where I’ve been the receiver of someone’s grace, patience and kind words and other moments where I’ve offered those things to others. God asks us to walk beside each other and share some kindness, love and grace in our interactions. Being on both sides of these interactions has been a blessing because these moments have provided a connection that has made me feel closer to whomever I’m interacting with and, in turn, closer to God.  I am again reminded that God is always working through us.

Loving God, we give thanks for the love and care you’ve shown us.  We ask that you be with us today when we speak to others.  In these uncertain times we sometimes feel disappointed, frustrated and even scared. In those moments especially, God, help us to choose words that nourish and heal instead of hurt.  Amen. 

 Leyla