Since the beginning of this new year, we have been reflecting on When God Calls ... We have learned that because God wants us to experience transformation, God persists in calling us. That transformation may be intended for us personally or for our community of faith. We have learned that to help us discern God’s call, people within the congregation are raised up—as leaders for the church and as mentors for individuals. And we have learned that when we respond to God’s call—we are enlivened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Today we continue to reflect on When God calls . . .
Last week, I received the winter volume of my seminary’s magazine for pastors. The connecting theme for the articles in this volume—is “Being Alive in a Crazybusy World.” Crazybusy—I remember how crazybusy my life was in seminary—but that wasn’t even close to the crazybusy I lived as a full-time teacher-librarian while parenting children. The pace of life here in Paola seems slower than it did for me in Round Rock or in Austin. So when I received this magazine, I wondered how many people here in Paola know what crazybusy is. What about our parents of young children? Balancing their own professional responsibilities and the commitments they have made here in our church as well as their children’s sports and art and music lessons—I thought, our parents of young children know what crazybusy is. Tuesday evening, Gail Bell was reminiscing about her life. As she talked about Pete’s karate school and their involvement in planning many tournaments, she reflected, “Not only do I wonder how we did all of that back then, I get tired just thinking about it now.” I thought to myself, Gail knows what crazybusy is. As I thought some more, I realize I have seen crazybusy in this congregation when one or two people take on a myriad responsibilities. I wonder if our troop or pack leaders ever try to do a lot of things . . . on your own . . . without asking for help. That will make you crazybusy.
I wonder when crazybusy has been an accurate description of a day, a week, a month, a year in your life. Thinking about our scouts—some of whom got up early today to worship in their homes churches before coming here to worship with us—I know that most of them will leavet this service and go straight to Sunflower Elementary to prepare for the Pinewood Derby. Hmmm, does crazybusy describe your life right now?
Jesus experiences crazybusy in today’s text. Finishing his first Sabbath teaching in the synagogue, Jesus and his disciples head to Simon’s home where they find Simon’s mother-in-law sick in bed. Jesus heals her, then she gets up to serve all the guests Simon has brought home with him. Doesn’t that sound crazybusy? And I’ll bet some of you have lived this scenario. Rushing your recovery from flu or surgery because you just have too much to do, and it can not wait. At sundown, when the Sabbath is officially ended, “the whole town gathered at Simon’s door,” and Jesus is crazybusy healing them of their physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. I’ll bet it was late when Simon finally told the people still hanging around to go home and offered Jesus a pallet in a corner of the room to sleep on.
While it was still dark—so you know he has not had a full night’s sleep— While it was still dark, Jesus steals away to a quiet, deserted place. Steals away—those are my words because—when you’re crazybusy doesn’t it feel like you are committing a crime to get some peace and quiet? Jesus goes off to be in prayer—alone.
He takes some time—time from his sleep, time from work, time from friends—Jesus takes some time to be alone in prayer. He takes time to center himself in the presence of God—the One who called him to this ministry, the One who empowers him for it, the One who will renew him when all is crazybusy.
Of course, those of you who know what crazybusy is, know time away won’t last for long. When her daughter was 2, my friend Diane said—I can’t even go to the bathroom to be alone. For little Erica would tap at the door—Mommy, Mommy, Mommy—until Diane would let her in. The disciples, like little Erica, track Jesus down. What are you doing here? More sick people have shown up. Come on, “we’ve got to get back.”
And how does Jesus respond? Does he hide from his disciples—hanging onto a little more time alone? No. Does he succumb to their demands? No. Re-focused from his time of prayer, Jesus does not allow his disciples to define his call from God. He will not return to Simon’s home. He will not be limited by the comfort of the known—what he’s already done. Refreshed by his time of solitude, he invites his disciples to join him in expanding the boundaries of his ministry. He does not leave them behind. He does remain true to God’s call for his ministry—to spread the good news, and he stays connected with those he has come to prepare to carry on that ministry.
Crazybusy—later in Mark’s gospel, the disciples will find themselves crazybusy. Sent out in pairs to proclaim the good news and to heal—kind of like an internship—they will return to Jesus physically tired yet mentally and emotionally wired. In their wake will be a multitude following them back to Jesus. The disciples will be so crazybusy that “they [will] have no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6: 31) And Jesus will say to them, “Come away to a deserted place, all by yourselves.” (Mark 6: 31) You see, he’s modeling it here in today’s text. And later, he’ll help his disciples practice it themselves. The prescription for the crazybusy sickness is time, alone, in prayer. Solitude, quiet, still heart and still mind—in multiple doses, throughout your lifetime—that will heal the crazybusy sickness.
It can be done—stealing away time and centering yourself in God’s presence. Your deserted place may be a special chair in your home. It may be the swing in your backyard. It may be the park where you walk or the track where you run or the countryside where you bicycle. Yes, your centering prayer may take the form of physical movement.
It can be done—stealing away time and centering yourself in God’s presence—it just takes practice . . . like learning to play the piano or basketball or karate . . . When you do—come away, alone, in prayer—you will hear God’s voice. Oh, it may not be audible to your ears . . . but it will be perceptible in your heart. You will begin to know God’s call for you and God’s direction for your life. It probably will not happen the first or second or third time you come away in solitude. But, as resting in God’s presence becomes a habit, God will direct you, God will renew you, and God will help you re-focus.
Throughout this sermon series, we have considered not only how God’s call affects us personally but also how it impacts the community of faith. When we, as a congregation, intentionally center ourselves in God’s word through prayer, God re-energizes us, reviving our congregational life, fine-tuning our mission. Here we are on the brink of Lent— a season of introspection. I cannot help but wonder how God might speak to us as a congregation if we all “come away to a deserted place” for time in prayer this Lent. I cannot help but imagine what wonders God will reveal to us during the 40 days—wonders of God’s call for this church—God’s plan for our future, wonders of who God is preparing to raise up among us—Holy Spirit wonders of empowerment and renewal. I cannot help but imagine.
When God calls . . . come away with God to a deserted place and enter into God’s presence. And when the crazybusy world encroaches on your solitude—and it will—you will be able to face it with new energy and your eyes will be focused on the path God is laying before you. Please stand and sing affirming God’s presence with us—even in the crazybusy.
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