May 17, 2022 – When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron

Annihilation

“Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea;on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches.Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?”

2 Corinthians 11:25-29

“A teacher visited during this time, and I remember her saying to me, “When you have made good friends with yourself, your situation will be more friendly too.” I had learned this lesson before, and I knew that it was the only way to go. I used to have a sign pinned up on my wall that read: “Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us.” Somehow, even before I heard the Buddhist teachings, I knew that this was the spirit of true awakening. It was all about letting go of everything.” Chodron, Pema. When Things Fall Apart (pp. 12-13).

Annihilation

Who among us, if we were to ask to boast upon our success would follow the example of Paul? If we are to brag we would search for our greatest accomplishments: “I graduated from college Summa Cum Laude.” “I was promoted to supervisor within three months.” Few of us might begin with: “I was fired in three days for coming into work late.” “I was expelled from school for telling the principal she was an inbred idiot.” But not Paul. When he encounters the Corinthians who had been swept away by a group of men claiming to be apostles of Christ from Jerusalem, men who boasted about their accomplishments for Christ, Paul decides he will also boast to them – but he will boast about how he has suffered for Christ, not about impressive accomplishments. Most people reading Paul’s list would be embarrassed by these developments. They would not list them as accomplishments. But then we read the list and ask ourselves, “What have I endured for Christ’s sake?”

Of course, both kinds of boasting has the danger of putting accomplishment above ministry – puts ego above selflessness. Unless what we are boasting about highlights our weaknesses. Paul will go on to say, in essence: “As I look back on my past life, one incident comes to mind. It was a time when I was a complete failure at what I was trying to do. That is what I boast in, because that is when I began to learn the most important lesson of my life.”

Being successful in G-d’s eyes has nothing to do with our accomplishments, with our endeavors, or with the extent of our trying. It does have everything to do with simply allowing Christ to work in us. And if we do not open ourselves up to both success and failures, then we will never truly know how much we can endure in life, both for our own edification and for our relationship with Jesus.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, you endured death on the cross for us and for our salvation. Help me today to place my mind not only on what I can achieve but how open I can remain for whatever you call me to do. Amen.

Pastor Dave