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Friday, June 20, 2003

•••When Enough Finally Is Enough From the Fearsome Pirate today: I don't know why we're still fighting. As I see it, the battle is already lost. What is the use in even saying anything at all? It's like screaming in a vacuum. Nobody's listening because nobody cares. The distinctly Lutheran practice of contending for doctrine is an anachronism these days. The other "conservative" Protestants have decided that when Paul said to "contend for the faith," he meant to write a book, host a conference, say things on a radio program, do that for a few years, and then forget about the issue. Or in the case of predestination, write books every couple of years on how the Church stands or falls on the doctrine of God sending people to Hell for fun, but don't actually alter your ecclesial practice to reflect that idea. That would be silly. So we're basically living all on our own here. I'm in favor of just shutting up and going our own way. God alone can count the moments in pastoral ministry wherein I wished I had a simple, easy answer to solve all the problems facing a person, a couple, a family, or a group. However many that number, ten times more than that have I wanted an easy answer for myself and my own questions -- and found myself without one. "Just give it up and walk away" has always been one of those appealing, easy answers that pop up particularly when one faces a gnarled and complicated conflict. Many choose it rather than try to work through their problems. Relationships ought to be as disposable as diapers, no? If they get messed up, toss 'em away and get a fresh one. The problem with that particular easy answer is pretty obvious, considering human nature: sooner or later that new, fresh one is gonna get messed up too. Likewise we dare not treat any human being like some insignificant, super-absorbant plastic by-product. Relationships are not disposable, especially when there is love involved. I don't have an easy answer for Josh any more than I do have one for myself. There comes a time when a marriage is broken and dead. Covenants of trust between churches and pastors and other church workers can be broken. There comes a time when preserving a relationship is more dangerous and destructive than ending it. I know this full well. Yet I also believe that in moments of crisis, my inclinations to find an easy way out of difficult, uncomfortable situations are neither noble nor ultimately helpful in the end. It's almost always better to face problems head-on and deal with them, even when it means you're gonna get messy inside and maybe even hurt a little in the process. Why bother? I bother because of faith in my God who made 'them' just like He made me, forgives 'them' just like He forgives me and stands willing to help 'them' as much as He's willing to help me in the way I need it most: breaking through the hard-heartedness and block-headedness to bring us together, mutually humbled, mutually forgiven, mutually grateful for what God has done and given us in Christ. About five years ago, I ran into the pastor who taught and confirmed me in the faith as an 8th grade child. Now a fellow preacher and colleague, we talked about old times and new times as I was beginning my ministry. He spoke some words to me then which took me aback: "Jeff, sometimes being right is not enough." I think, over the years, I'm finally understanding what he was saying. [slightly edited around 4:30pm]   10:41:02 AM   googleit 160

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