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2 Timothy 1:1-14 As we learned the horrifying details of the terrorist attacks last month in New York and Washington, I tried to picture what it must have been like for the passengers on those jetliners. Did they experience fear, panic, and horror as the events unfolded? For the passengers on the United flight that ultimately crashed in Pennsylvania, they learned from cell phone conversations about the fate of the other flights that had crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They understood that their aircraft was being turned into a missile. But a surprising picture has emerged from the cell phone conversations in the final minutes of that flight. The scene doesn't seem to have been one of panic, or screaming, or uncontrolled fear. There are reports of passengers gathering together to pray. There are reports of many phone calls to loved ones to say "I love you," and "Good bye." And then, of course, there's the most impressive development of all. A group of men gathered the courage and power to overcome the hijackers and prevent an attack on a populated area. They overcame the fear of their own death in a heroic effort to save the lives of others. When we're facing fearful situations, how can we find the strength and courage to react with power? How is it possible for us to overcome our fears and reach new heights in our lives? Today's scripture lesson provides some tips for us. It's found in Paul's second letter to Timothy. After starting the church at Ephesus, Paul went on to Macedonia and asked young Timothy to look after the church. Paul was delayed, and later sent to prison, so he wrote these letters to encourage Timothy and give him guidance for church leadership. At the time that Paul wrote this letter, he had been sent to prison by Emperor Nero. Unlike his earlier house arrest, Paul was being kept in chains in a cold dungeon. He knew that his work was done and that his life was nearly at an end. Not a very cheerful setting to write a letter, was it? So, how is it that Paul's words to Timothy are so full of love and reassurance? Sitting in a cold prison, in chains, how does Paul write so eloquently about joy, and faith, and life? I think the key is found in what happens to be one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. I usually use a more modern translation, but I think the best translation of this verse is found in the King James Version: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." What a wonderful promise! To be able to claim a spirit of power, even in the midst of the most depressing circumstances would be a wonderful gift, wouldn't it? So, why aren't we experiencing that kind of life? Today's scripture reading gives some guidance for us to move in that direction. First, Paul encourages us to:
In the book Afterwards, Don makes the point that we make choices in movies just as we make choices about our lives. Some people like horror films. Others like violent movies. You might want to see a comedy. Maybe I want to see a romance. Each of us is free to choose the kind of life we desire. Don's student asks, "Then why would anyone choose a bad lifetime, a horror movie?" Don replies, "Because they think they deserve it for horrifying someone else, or they like the excitement of horrification... They are unhappy because they have chosen to be unhappy." In our scripture reading, Paul lets us know that we don't have to choose a lifetime of fear. We are just as free to claim joy, power, and love. And God has given us a spirit of power. When you face a frightening experience, how do you respond? Do
you react with uncontrollable fear, or with self-control and a sound
mind? One of the classic horror movies of all a time, a real cult
classic, is Did you see how she reacted to the situation? She was running around without a sense of direction. She was barely able to pick up the telephone. She kept bumping into things and was generally unaware of her surroundings. Have you ever had any of those symptoms? "Well, of course she reacted that way," you might say. After all, the walking dead were coming to get her! But Paul, writing from a horrifying dungeon and facing death himself, wrote with the calm assurance of one who knows God's love and peace. In the midst of his fearful surroundings, he encouraged others to find joy and fulfillment. Much like the passengers on that doomed jetliner, who gathered to pray and extend their love and courage, Paul found peace and a sound mind. We can make the same choice in our lives today. Paul also reminds us that:
It's up to each of us to choose a life of power. And Paul encourages us to remember that our relationships with others can strengthen us along the way. Paul and Timothy clearly enjoyed a close spiritual bond. Paul says things in this passage such as: "Timothy, my dear son," "night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers," and "I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy." In your life, who are the people who bring you a rich sense of spiritual connection? Who is it that brings you fresh insights about the nature of God? Who encourages you to think about your life in new ways? I suspect that some of them are here in this room. On the Sunday after the terrorist attacks I watched as many of you greeted and embraced one another with fresh appreciation and meaning. Paul also reminded Timothy about the legacy of those who went before. Paul remembers his forefathers in the faith. And, he mentions the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother. Just as Paul and Timothy were guided by their parents, we have all benefited from the guidance of spiritual "parents." Even if our own families didn't provide spiritual nourishment, there are those who came before us who laid the groundwork for our own spiritual growth. All of you are acquainted with Winnie the Pooh, aren't you? And his friend Piglet? One of my favorite passages from the "Pooh literature" goes like this:
'Pooh!' he whispered. 'Yes, Piglet?' 'Nothing,' said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. 'I just wanted to be sure of you.'" Have you ever done something like that? Have you ever reached out to someone for no other reason than to make sure that they're still there for you? All of us have the opportunity to enjoy the blessings of spiritual companions and mentors, even in life's most frightening circumstances.
Over the years, the Christian church has been tempted to think of suffering in two different ways. One path is to compromise God's good news to minimize conflict. So, for example, we might overlook God's call to care for prisoners, the impoverished, and the dispossessed. After all, to take such work seriously would require sacrifice and the contempt of the "respectable." We might risk loss of status, or income, or even arrest if we stood up for "those people." The other temptation is to seek suffering for its own sake. This martyr complex is an inverted form of elitism. It takes pride in moral superiority and often expresses an unconscious desire to be conspicuous. Taking this approach, we might be proud of our lack of resources and suffering. We would see our difficulties in life as a sign of true "spirituality." Paul warns us not to fall into either trap. We are encouraged to live our lives genuinely in God's power and love, without hesitation or the fear of consequences. And, if the consequences bring suffering, Paul encourages us to consider the suffering as a partnership with others who have paid a price for sharing the unconditional love of God. Paulo Coelho writes about a young man who approached his teacher before he sets out on a journey. As he is about to begin his adventure, he says to his teacher, "My heart is afraid that it will have to hurt." The teacher responds:
is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." All of us have known different kinds of suffering in our lives. Whether it's the pain of illness, poverty, a broken heart, a lost loved one, or the loss of a job, God meets us here today to help us stand tall and to banish fear from our lives.
If you think back over the times in your life when you've lived in a spirit of fear, you'll remember that you didn't feel very confident. Paul concludes this scripture passage with a wonderful statement of confidence. He says, "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him..." Have you claimed this sense of confidence in your life? God's ever present, unconditional love waits to embrace you this morning. As we prepare to celebrate communion, let's release the spirit of fear and accept God's spirit of power. |