Sermon for Sunday, August 22, 2010

Hebrews 12: 18-29

"Burnout Or Balance"

Rev. Christopher Fazel

              Here is a question that we in the church would all do well to ask ourselves now and again.  The question is, “What am I doing here?”  In other words, what is church all about?  Why do we have church?  Is church the place where we gather to hear the good news of Jesus Christ proclaimed?  Yes. Is church where we give and receive the gift of loving friendship to one another in community?  Yes.  Is church a place and a time to celebrate and glorify the many talents and gifts that each of us brings to this cell in the body of Christ?  Absolutely.  Is church a vehicle of service, through which we give – resources, labor and prayer – to one another, to our local community, to our nation and to our world?  You betcha!  All of this is part of the “raison d’etre” of church and our involvement therein. 

              But there is more.  In order for any and all of these actions to be effective and true, another action needs to be continually applied.  The Bible often calls it salvation; the church has called it sanctification; Jungian psychology calls it individuation.  But by whatever name we call it, the action involves a conversion from one way of being to another.  This all-important process is symbolically portrayed on nearly every page of our Bible.  It is the journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land.  It is the building of the new temple after the exile.  It is the descent of the New Jerusalem after the great tribulation.  It is the transmutation from the “first Adam” to the “last Adam.”    All of these sacred stories and images are in our Bible to teach us something about who we are and about who we are to become. 

              Think of it this way:  imagine the human soul – yours and mine – as a gyroscope or spinning top.  It spins around an axis.  The axis that provides the necessary balance is the spirit of the living God, that we Christians call the Risen Christ.  But there is another point in the soul that is not the center, but likes to think it is.  We have all heard the term “ego.”  Well, “ego” is just the Greek word for “I”, as in “I am the center of the universe.”  Now we all start out operating from this center.  And as long as that center is not disturbed, we are in the Garden of Eden.  But life will not let us stay there.  All too soon, we are confronted with the fact that there are other people that have needs and wants and priorities.  And so our ego painfully learns that it must live in community, complete with the hard-learned skills of compromise and cooperation.  And that is basically life in this world – a delicate balance of competing egos trying to cooperate for the sake of mutual survival.  But, of course, all is not well.  Because the human soul itself is not in balance, human relationships are continually falling into conflict – forming a tragic parody of human community composed merely of alliances and enemies.  And that is a truer picture of human existence. 

              Now, the great answer to this human tragedy is the conversion of the human soul from a “self-off-centeredness” to a Christ-centeredness.  And that takes us to church.  Church is an example of an intentional spiritual community, where this great work of spiritual transformation is given top priority.  That is why we’re here.  Church in its proper role is a great engine that provides the energy and opportunity for this conversion to unfold within each of us. 

              But there is a problem.  If I don’t understand this essential task, or if I am unable or unwilling to differentiate my own ego from the Christ that calls me into new life, then the very energy that church provides for transformation, will merely inflate my own ego to dangerous proportions like an overfilled balloon.  This is a dangerous and destructive condition for both the soul and the community.  Both will suffer greatly under the tyranny of such an inflation. 

              So, for the time we have left, I would like to do two things.  First, I want to present to you some warning signs that indicate a self-centered inflation may be stirring within you or me.  And second, I’d like to offer some practical suggestions on how to redirect those energies toward their proper purpose – the conversion of the soul.

              The first warning sign is a stubborn, persistent anxiety.  The ego is always fearful, because it senses its own vulnerability.  But the Christ center knows that come what may, we are held in the powerful hand of divine love, and nothing can separate us from that living presence.  Now, we all have anxieties, but I’m talking about persistent debilitating anxiety.  That’s a warning sign.

              This anxiety leads to the second warning sign – obsession.  Anxiety finds focal points.  In church life it could be the budget, or the length of the worship service, or the personality of this or that church member. Some concern gets hold of me and I can’t let it go.  It invades my sleep; it’s there when I wake up.  It drives away all joy and celebration.  That’s obsession and it’s a warning sign.

              Finally, these obsessions lead to hostility.  Obsessive anxiety is painful.  Eventually, someone must be blamed for this suffering.  And since it is almost impossible for the ego to recognize its own complicity in this matter, somebody else must be blamed.  And so we breed an environment of hostility.  But this isn’t just the normal frustration and irritation that is part of human involvement. This is a self-righteous, obsessive hostility that sees the other as the very incarnation of evil, and is the interpersonal equivalent of holy war.  When an inflation progresses to this point, it is very difficult to get back on track, and usually results in some kind of breakup.

              But here is the good news:  it doesn’t have to go that way.  When our normal mix of daily trouble and joy begins to feel invaded by obsessive anxiety or irrational hostility, we may take some of these steps.  First, step back, take some sabbatical time.  Spend some time with friends that have nothing to do with church.  Do something that’s fun.  Find some recreational exercise that gets the endorphins going.  Find an experience that makes you laugh.  Laughter is powerful medicine.  Our favorite comedy shows at home are Seinfeld, Frazier and Everybody Loves Raymond.  Now, the genius of these shows is that they help us laugh at ourselves.  There is no greater antidote to an ego inflation than laughing at yourself. 

              Second, find some source of counsel.  This could be a trusted friend, but be careful not to choose someone who just feeds the problem.  Sometimes a professional counselor is a good idea – someone who can provide some fresh perspectives.  I’ve used them from time to time, and they have usually proven very helpful.

              And finally – and most important – cultivate daily prayer.  And in whatever words you choose, let the prayer carry this sentiment:  “Not my will, but Thine, O Lord, be done in me and through me.  Let me ever be a channel of blessings – today, now – to those that I contact in every way.  Let my going in, my coming out, be in accord with that Thou would have me do.  And as the call comes, here am I.  Send me, use me.”

              Let us pray.

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