May 16, 2022 – When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron

That Sinking Feeling

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come, ” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30

“When things fall apart and we’re on the verge of we know not what, the test of each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize**. The spiritual journey is not about heaven and finally getting to a place that’s really swell. In fact, that way of looking at things is what keeps us miserable. Thinking that we can find some lasting pleasure and avoid pain is what in Buddhism is called samsara, a hopeless cycle that goes round and round endlessly and causes us to suffer greatly.”” (Chodron, Pema. When Things Fall Apart, (P. 7)

**Concretize – to make an idea or concept real

That Sinking Feeling

Should Peter step out of the boat or not? I am sure all of the disciples there with Peter on that stormy night wondered the same thing. Have you ever felt as if you were on the precipice of some monumental decision, where you knew that everything could possibly fall apart, and you stood there wondering “Should I, or shouldn’t I?” Pema Chodron, Rob Bell and N. T. Wright all agree, the spiritual journey is not about getting to heaven – getting to a really swell place. The spiritual journey is about letting go of our ego and learning to follow Jesus, wherever that might take us. If we trust Jesus, then our lives will be that much more abundant in this life, and in the life to come.

Peter began his water walk with trust in his heart, but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. When he stood on the brink of doing something truly amazing, his fear was made real through his lack of faith.

Look, we all get that sinking feeling from time to time – that feeling that life is going to sink us, or we are slowly getting swamped by life. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the launching point for us to hold things together when all else is falling apart. Remembering that we are loved, children of G-d will sustain us through all the storms of life.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, life seems to be falling apart all around us. From the cost of living to the battle for justice, peace and prosperity we are weighed down by burdens and fear. Come Lord Jesus and be my guest every day as I walk through every valley and climb every hill today. I trust you will not let me sink away from you. Amen.

Pastor Dave