Psalm 77│Jeremiah 2.14-32│Galatians2.11-21│John 4.1-26
Self-awareness
In the
context of a Psalm that tugs between abandonment and salvation, it is almost
too easy to remark on these very feelings in the midst of a pandemic. Yet, for
that same reason, it is a timely reminder.
Pandemic
or none, we may all encounter crippling struggles, anxiety-inducing doubts, and
myriad fears pushing us to believe that we have been left alone. Forsaken,
forgotten, and decimated by the impact of loss, pain, grief, or any combination
of the most gut-wrenching emotions. If this resonates with you, I am sorry for
the difficulties you endure and the burdens you carry. Please remember that it
is okay to not be okay – and acknowledge that these challenges may not be
solved by simply remembering the Lord.
“Has his unfailing love vanished
forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?”
We are
entering a time when those around us – in person and online – are acknowledging
a critical shift in the way we approach life. But how fundamental has this
shift been, really? Have we each taken the time to consider how we can – and
should – be prioritizing our focus on what we need and want to do? Between
meeting deadlines, cooking dinner, catching up with the 10th friend on Zoom
this week, and everything in between, have we given ourselves the
opportunity to take stock of how we feel?
Between
abandonment and salvation, I believe, is self-awareness: a key ingredient in
the recipe for hope. Attaining it is akin to a lock-and-key: it requires us to
ask and answer questions that fit the shape of our worries and fears, allowing
us to better understand ourselves. It is a tour of the self, both ugly and
beautiful. And by extension, it is a (re)discovery of God’s creation, present
in us.
We are
living, breathing miracles – walking examples of the power our God exercises.
In our own perseverance resides the might of the Lord; in our struggle belongs
the faith that binds us to Him. To be reminded of the gift of salvation is to
remember the gifts that we are to ourselves and to each other. In learning more
about ourselves and our relationships with others, we might just stumble upon a
few of the other presents that God has left for us along the way – starting
with hope.
And
remember, no matter where we are in this journey of self-awareness: it’s okay
to not be okay.
Benjamin Jance IV
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