When God Seems Far Away-- Sunday's sermon at Fairview UMC in Rossville, GA

Fairview UMC, Rossville, GA

I had the opportunity to preach this past Sunday for a friend and colleague, Rev. Susie Gilley, in the North Georgia Conference. The church she serves is Fairview UMC in Rossville, GA. Rossville is one of the places that was part of my first appointment in the Holston Gap Parish, in the Holston Conference. Rossville is dear to me, even if they were rivals with Dalton back in the day. :)

I have preached at this church several times and enjoy my time with them. They are a caring and endearing faith community. I enjoy the guitar there and their willingness to go with the flow. 

Here is my sermon (more or less). What is on paper isn't always what is said, but I did record it this time, so I will include the recording too.

“When God Seems Far Away”

Psalm 22:1-15 (CEB))

October 13, 2024

Fairview UMC

 
Good morning! It is good to be here with you again today in worship. I don’t think I’ve been here since I was here last October. You are a welcoming and kind faith community and I enjoy our worship time together.
 
As we continue in our time of worship this morning, will you pray with me?
 
“God of Light, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.” (Prayer for Illumination, UMH, in Upperroom WorshipBook, page 35)

Today’s Scripture passage comes from Psalm 22:1-15, from the Common English Bible.
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My God! My God,
    why have you left me all alone?
    Why are you so far from saving me—
        so far from my anguished groans?
² My God, I cry out during the day,
    but you don’t answer;
    even at nighttime I don’t stop.
³ You are the holy one, enthroned.
You are Israel’s praise.
⁴ Our ancestors trusted you—
    they trusted you and you rescued them;
⁵     they cried out to you and they were saved;
    they trusted you and they weren’t ashamed.
⁶ But I’m just a worm, less than human;
    insulted by one person, despised by another.
⁷ All who see me make fun of me—
    they gape, shaking their heads:
⁸     “He committed himself to the Lord,
        so let God rescue him;
        let God deliver him
        because God likes him so much.”
⁹ But you are the one who pulled me from the womb,
    placing me safely at my mother’s breasts.
¹⁰ I was thrown on you from birth;
    you’ve been my God
    since I was in my mother’s womb.
¹¹ Please don’t be far from me,
    because trouble is near
        and there’s no one to help.
¹² Many bulls surround me;
    mighty bulls from Bashan encircle me.
¹³ They open their mouths at me
    like a lion ripping and roaring!
¹⁴ I’m poured out like water.
    All my bones have fallen apart.
        My heart is like wax;
        it melts inside me.
¹⁵ My strength is dried up
    like a piece of broken pottery.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
    you’ve set me down in the dirt of death.
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LEADER: GOD IS STILL SPEAKING.
 
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.
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This Psalm might be familiar to you. If not the entire Psalm, maybe the first line. This is one of the Psalms written by David. Jesus quotes the first verse and instead of “why have you left me all alone?”, you may be more familiar with “why have you forsaken me?” We find Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 in the Gospels: Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 as he is hanging on the cross dying. Jesus is in deep despair, anguish, pain.
 
For both the Psalmist David and Jesus, God seemed far away and therefore they cried out to God.
 
Have you ever felt that God seemed far away?
 
Here are some of the different words used in the English versions of the Bible for the Hebrew word: forsaken, abandoned, deserted, left me all alone,
 
Have you felt forsaken, abandoned, deserted, left all alone?
 
It’s okay to acknowledge our dark times in our faith, those times that we haven’t felt the presence of God.
 
David was a ‘man after God’s own heart’ and Jesus was God’s own son. If they felt God’s absence and cried out, doesn’t it make sense that we might experience that same feeling of being all alone?
 
As we acknowledge that this is a part of our faith experience, how do we respond when God seems far away?
 
Another way to ask that same question might be: what do we do when God seems far away?
 
Notice that both David and Jesus, even though they feel forsaken, abandoned, deserted, left alone by God, they are still talking to God, crying out to God. Did you catch that?
 
Their feelings in the moment did not prevent them from having a conversation with God. In fact, they were open and honest about how they felt in that moment.
 
When God seems far away from us, we can be open and honest about how we feel in the moment. We can cry out to God, sharing whatever is on our hearts and minds. If there are no words to express what that might be, that’s okay too. God understands. Thomas Keating is known for his quote: God’s first language is silence. Mother Teresa spoke about prayer as listening to God and the silence.
 
If words or silence aren’t able to draw us nearer when God seems far away, what other spiritual practices might we engage?
 
I often default to finding God, Creator in nature, creation. Seeing God in creation allows me to slow down, to reflect, and to realize that though it may seem that God is far away, God is very much near and everywhere.
 
This past week I was able to spend quite a bit of time in nature, from a camp reunion to another camp for a 4 Day Academy on “Welcoming the Wilderness”. At the camp reunion, at the end of the morning watch devotion, the leader led us in prayer. As I looked down at the ground in prayer, I saw this rock, a heart-shaped rock. For me, that was a remind of God’s presence and love in creation. Fast forward to the end of the Academy retreat week and the speaker mentioned black walnuts. He showed us photos of them in different stages and how at the center of them is often a heart. I never knew that. He had a bowl of black walnuts in different stages to pick out one that caught our attention. I picked out this one. I see the heart in the center. I saw hearts all week… from leaf shaped hearts to rock shaped hearts. It was a constant reminder to me that God is near. God’s presence, God’s love is with me and within me.
 
Not only do I find God’s presence in creation, but also in community. We are meant to be God’s loving presence for one another.
 
When I am not experiencing God’s presence, I remind myself to STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. That helps me to notice, to pay attention.
 
As I am reminded that I am not alone even though I may feel it, my thoughts, much like David’s turn to gratitude and praise. Note verse 10. Note how much David trusts God. David says he was “thrown on” God since birth. Other versions say “cast upon”, “placed in your care”, “given over to you”, “thrown into your arms”, “lean into you”, “relied on you”, “dependent on you”. Notice that David trusts God even though he feels alone, abandoned.
 
God knows our pain, our sorrows, and our suffering, yet hasn’t nor will forsake us.
 
Let us give thanks for what we know to be true, even when God seems far away.
 
Will you pray with me?
 
God of creation, God of love, God of life,
we cry out to you in the midst of our pain, our sorrows, our suffering.
Where are you? You seem so far away at times.
Reveal your presence.
Open our ears that we might hear.
Open our eyes that we might see.
Open our hearts that we might love.
Remind us that you are as close to us as the breath we breathe.
Fill us with love for all you have created.
Fill us with peace in the midst of life’s chaos.
We give thanks for all the saints who have gone before us.
We give thanks for your created world around us.
We give thanks for your son, Jesus Christ.
We give thanks that you are here with us now, in the fellowship of those gathered.
To you be all honor, glory, and praise. Amen.
DD, 10/12/24

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I wrote the closing prayer (thus the "DD"). It seemed to flow as I was finishing the sermon. 

The week that I had just spent on retreat in the 4 Day Academy made it into the sermon. Go figure... it seemed to fit well.

I enjoy preaching. It is one of the things that gives me life. From the studying of the Scriptures to the sharing of the good news, it brings joy.

Here are some additional photos from the morning:

Audio link to sermon: "When God Seems Far Away"

If anything from the sermon, the Scripture, the prayer, the photos.... if anything resonates, super. 

Where or how has God, Creator seemed far away for you?

May you know God's presence and God's love along the way, 

Rev. Deb

P.S. I had written this on the church bulletin and forgot about it, as I had other things going on last Sunday. But I finally remembered. :) On the way to the church last Sunday morning, the song "Give Me Jesus" kept running through my mind. I sang it on the way to preach. The verses that ran through my head were these: "When I am afraid" and "When I am alone". One can substitute "am" for "feel". I don't know where the song came from, but it was there.

When I am/feel afraid, give me Jesus.

When I am/feel alone, give me Jesus.

And then I added (for the title of the sermon), "When God feels/seems far away, give me Jesus"

Since I didn't really remember exact verses and sang what came to mind, I looked up the song and found Fernando Ortega singing it. I saw Fernando Ortega in concert several times "back in the day" and I enjoy his talent.

Fernando Ortega, "Give Me Jesus"

Final Outdoor Time for 2023

Today's weather was perfect for getting outdoors! Though I didn't have the energy to walk or hike, I did head to one of my favorite hammock spots at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. Normally I would spend time climbing around on the rocks and exploring, but today I didn't even have the strength to do that. I've been sick since the day after Christmas and after spending two days in bed with fever, I tested positive for Covid. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as the first time I had it and I didn't need medication for my lungs. But, I have been quarantined to my part of the house for a full six days and my strength and energy are low.

Getting out and getting into nature was an important move for me today-- heart, mind, body, and soul.

I hung up my hammock in my spot, then headed to a favorite rock for some close-up photos of the water. I took a short video for contemplative reflection and then headed back up to the hammock. My heart was racing by the time I got back, reminding me to take it easy and simply "be". 

The sun was shining brightly above and felt great! It was 52 degrees Fahrenheit and warmed up to 55 degrees while I was there. There was a slight breeze that blew, but it wasn't too cold. I was prepared with a blanket sleeping bag, a jacket and a warm cap. 

Just being able to hear the roar of the creek as I hung in the hammock was a gift today. I haven't been there in a while and it brought healing to me today. 

Outdoor time, time in nature is a spiritual practice for me. Spending time in a hammock is a spiritual practice. Playing around on the rocks, being next to the water, listening to and watching the water..... all offer life to me in my spiritual journey. 

Resting. Being. Healing. 

It was a great way to end 2023.

Here are my photos and my video for reflection and contemplation.

tent stakes by a tree--odd, but there

sunset from home--last sunset of 2023

my video-- 1 minute of water

I hope the photos and video offer you a glimpse of my experience today.  Maybe if you aren't able to get out into nature for some reason, you can use the photos and video as a way of sacred viewing to put you there. (Another spiritual practice... visio divina-- sacred seeing/viewing.)

I look forward to continuing this spiritual practice of getting outside and spending time in my hammock in 2024.

Peace!

Rev. Deb

Bamboo Encounter-- October 26th

Today was our first cooler weather Bamboo Encounter and our first wet Bamboo Encounter.  Even though it was wet and sprinkling, we were still able to meet inside the bamboo.  It never rained so hard that we needed to move into the pavilion at the top of the bamboo.  However, that was a viable option.

There was something peaceful about being in the bamboo in the rain.  The freshness of the air, its crispness and its smell were delightful.

Though we were small in number gathered to worship Creator God today, the Holy Spirit was present among us.

I had planned in advance to hand out the readings to willing participants, so we all shared in today's readings.  Since we were a small group, we served each other communion. 

Sometimes I question what God is doing in and through my life, nudging me to go out on a limb and do wild adventurous things.  Yet, each and every time that I follow through, I am encouraged and see fruit.

Today was the 6th Bamboo Encounter for the year, meaning that we are 1/2 way in to a full year of services.  Wow.  The resources that I read encourage me, as do the monthly video calls with Wild Church Network (though I was too busy to join in this past month.)

I wonder what the cooler month of November will be like in the bamboo!?!?

Until then, below you will find the readings and prayers from today, as well as the pictures I took.  Maybe you can picture yourself in the bamboo, do the readings on your own, and experience a little bit of what it is like to worship outdoors in the bamboo.

Peace on your journey,

Debra


Service:

Opening Prayer:

Into your strength, this day,

let me come again—

my heart undivided, my hope undimmed.

Set free my soul, unbind my love,

that I may serve you

serving earth.

(Earth Gospel, page 90)

Readings:

Deuteronomy 32:1-2

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

Isaiah 12:3-4 (NRSV)

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.”

Reading:  Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 “We need to find God and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature—trees and flowers and grass—grow in silence.  See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.  The more we receive in silent prayers, the more we can give in our active life.”

Communion:

John 6:33,35 and 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

³³ The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

¹⁶ Isn’t the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Isn’t the loaf of bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Since there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share the one loaf of bread.

Blessing:

May the God who dances in creation,

who embraces us with human love,

who shakes our lives like thunder,

bless us and drive us out with power,

to fill the world with her justice, Amen. —Nancy Morley

 (Earth Gospel, 50)

Lessons from a bamboo patch-- pictures and reflections

I want to share a story with you.  A story about bamboo.

I was walking down a road and noticed a patch of bamboo.  It was a large patch.  As I approached the patch, I wondered if there was a way in and begin to look for one.  From where I was at the moment, I saw two skinny and tall bamboo stalks beckoning.  I wondered if the space was wide enough for my frame and decided to test it.  I went to it, wiggled through it, and kept wiggling my way into the bamboo.  My backpack snagged on a stalk or two, but I was able to get in.  I didn't see a direct path, but made and found a way.

Once inside the thick cover, I could no longer feel the misty rain that had begun shortly before I entered. I was protected from the rain and fully engulfed by bamboo.  As I looked around at my surroundings, I noticed it wasn't all dark. There was a clearing over to the side.  In fact, there was a huge open space inside that had been cleared out.  There was a square rock next to the edge of the clearing and beside more bamboo. It felt like a bamboo cave.

Where at first it had felt tight and difficult to get around, there was now more than enough space to move around.

I approached the rock and noticed a small space in the rock that had gathered water.  It was elongated.  If one were to use their imagination, one might stretch the space in the rock to say it was heart-shaped.  I did.  I touched the water inside the heart shape, touched it to my forehead, and remembered my baptism.  I asked God to renew my soul and make me whole.

As I looked around from the rock, I noticed that there were two exits (or entrances) to the bamboo patch that were now visible from this perspective.  I hadn't been able to see them from where I had originally been.  But now, in this wide open space, my perspective was different.

There was so much bamboo.  Thick and thin bamboo. As I looked up, all I could see was a bamboo covering.  As I looked around, I noticed the different bamboo around, even the dead bamboo that had been cut to make space for the inside.

Seeing the bamboo made me want to play music (a gift I really don't have).  I picked up a broken piece of bamboo off the ground and "played" it on the bamboo reeds.  I wish I had brought my native American flute as well.  My thought was that I could have spent some time praying it inside that space.

After some reflection, looking around, and soaking it all in, I went out one of the two exits. There was a bench right outside across the road. From that perspective, the opening was very clear.

As I walked around the bamboo patch to the other opening I had noticed inside, it was also evident from the outside.  But one had to be at that place to see it.  Where I had been when I entered, that opening wasn't evident.

I learned a few things from my time with and in the bamboo.

I learned that even though the way in might be difficult and tight, it doesn't mean that the entire journey will be that way.  There can be spaces of grace that open up inside.

I learned that even though there don't seem to be additional ways in or out of something, that once you get into it, you are more likely to find a way out.

I was reminded inside to allow creation to speak from its being.  As the wind blew the bamboo, I thought of native American flutes made of bamboo.  I thought of the bamboo we cut down on a mission trip in Jamaica to use for construction and water bottles.

I was reminded that in order to have open space, sometimes we need to clear out even good things in our lives.  The bamboo that had been cut down and cleared away wasn't bad, but it needed to be pruned away to make that space.

I was reminded that open spaces make room for us-- to think, to dream, to vision, to pray, to play, to be.... I need open spaces in my life-- those places that allow my heart, mind, and soul to expand.  I may have to enter through a tight place to get there, but oh, it is worth getting there.

I was reminded that God does restore my soul as I seek time with my Creator, time to listen, time to be.

There may have been more lessons from the bamboo.  I left that bamboo patch and headed back down the road with a smile on my face and peace in my heart, mind, and soul.

I knew that the space that had been closed up tight for a while was now opened up again.

Who knew I would look back on that experience and say that I was blessed by bamboo?!?!  I believe that Creator God knew.

What lessons have you learned recently?  What stories do you have to share?  How is your journey?

Peace and blessings on your journey,

Debra

North Chickamauga Creek and Gorge..... Kayakers

After Charlotte's piano class, we headed back to N. Chick (aka North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness, aka North Chickamauga Creek and Gorge).  Another beautiful day, even warmer than yesterday.  Today is shorts and t-shirts weather.  Though hoping to see some kayakers with the water flowing, we were just going over to get out in the woods and be near water.

As we were standing on a rock by the creek, lo and behold, what is coming downstream but a group of bright kayaks!  YEAH!!  I maneuvered myself down to a lower rock closer to the water so I could get better pictures.  And take pictures I did. 

Unfortunately, I have no clue who these kayaker dudes are.  If, by some very odd chance, you are one of the kayakers and you happen to read this, let me know who you are and I'll label the pictures.  Thanks!

Some of today's pictures:

Charlotte standing on the rock



looking downstream

Charlotte sitting on the rock

   

here come the kayakers

            looking upstream





   

So, you may be wondering why this kayak passion?!  Well, I mentioned in the previous post that I am a "wanna-be" kayaker.  When I was young and attended camp, I got to kayak in small red kayaks and I got to canoe.

Fast forward MANY years from my camp days as a camper.  Sometime between 2001 and 2004, I attended a local paddling weekend sponsored by the local paddling club.  We camped out at a campground on the Hiwassee River and spent two days paddling.  I learned the basics going down the Hiwassee and a portion of the Ocoee.  I learned how you properly "swim" a river as I did that the majority of my time on the Hiwassee.  I learned how to get out of the kayak when I'm upside down.  I had a blast doing it though my body turned all shades of purples, blacks, and blues. 

I even learned some life lessons that weekend.   For some reason, I thought as an adult learner, I should simply be able to "get it".  I was losing patience with myself as I kept struggling and falling over.  One of the instructors reminded me that I was a novice by asking me how long I had been doing this.  I had to be honest with myself and recognize that my skill level was not that of a trained adult in this area.  I had to accept that it was okay and to keep on learning and trying. 

That revelation not only helped me in life learning, but in teaching.  It helped me relate to learners as they came at language learning from different skill levels.  As a teacher, I tried to learn new things out of my comfort zone and skill level often so I could remember what it was like to be a new learner.

It's a good reminder that we cannot be experts at all things, especially at that which we don't strive.  With effort, patience, time, perseverance, and maybe some bruises from the bumps along the way, we can make it.  We might not be the best in that field, but we can at least learn new things. 

I have applied this concept on my spiritual journey as well.  There are areas of spiritual practices that are harder for me, such as silence.  However, I am learning that as I spend time in silence I am able to grow a little bit in that area.  Silence enables me to listen more clearly.  As I practice this means of grace, my "muscles" in this area become stronger.  I find that I am able to spend more time in silence now than in the past.  This doesn't mean I have it down, it simply means I'm on the journey to growing in this area.

And you thought the entire blog was about kayaking.  Well, everything can have connections to something else.  I didn't spend a lot of time on the spiritual stuff this time, but I did throw it in.  I can't help but to do that as I'm connected.  I'm not divided up into little compartments into which I can put spiritual things in one place and the rest of life in another.  It is all one place.  Therefore, the spiritual may flow from the other or the other may flow from the spiritual.

I haven't kayaked in quite a while.  After that camping, paddling weekend I did go to several roll practices that they had in the area, some at an indoor pool, some at the lake.  At one of those roll practices, a younger person helped with my roll by lifting my paddle slightly high as I came up.  I had impingement shoulder problems after that.  I got some physical therapy and some shots and worked the bursitis and impingement back to shape.  However, last year that shoulder and the other one decided to start acting up again.

I do hope to get in a boat again.  It is a thrill to take a run down a swollen creek or a river.  Just looking at those guys makes me want to do it again.  And, if I can't do it in a kayak, maybe I can ride in bigger boat with others doing the paddling.  (I've gotten to whitewater raft too-- here in the states AND in Costa Rica-- LOVE IT!) 

Meanwhile, I may have to settle for getting my motorcycle back into running condition and taking that out on the road so I can feel the air flowing.  I think my shoulders are ready for riding!

Whether it's on the water, on two wheels, on two feet.... however you choose to interact with creation, may your journey include some outdoor time! 

~Debra

PS-- Remember to be patient with yourself when you are learning something new.  Seek out others learning to do the same thing so that you will have companions on your journey.