Rejoice in Adversity

Usually, I tell you on Wednesday what my weekend sermon IS about. Today, I'll tell you what this week's sermon, "Rejoice in Adversity," is NOT about.

It's not about the theodicy question. Theodicy is a Greek term for the problem of reconciling the presence of evil and suffering in the world with the idea that there truly is a benevolent, omnipotent God. I won't take up the theodicy issue because I couldn't even provide a decent bibliography of the topic in a fifteen minute sermon.

It's not about that saying we like to toss around jokingly: "God never gives us more than we can stand-I wish God didn't think so highly of me!" For the most part, my life is embarrassingly good. Never in my life have I lacked for nutritious food, clean water, or safe shelter. Never have I faced a life threatening diagnosis or lost a child to the 1,000 things parents fear losing their children to.

It's not about God's ability to bring good out of the greatest suffering. Yes, my life is easy and excessive in comparison to so many of the world's people, but when I hurt, I hurt. Sometimes I feel like that funny- looking man with the red nose in the game "Operation"-I feel like unskilled people are pulling out my internal organs with a flimsy pair of tweezers. This pain often has nothing to do with physical injury or illness at all. Often, it's the searing pain of rejection or a lost friendship or a bungled attempt at reconciliation.

Now, don't worry. Don't think that it's already Wednesday and your pastor doesn't have a clue about what her sermon is about. I do. God's been working on me.

If you'd like a preview, spend some time reading this weekend's scripture from the Gospel of Mark. There is a lot of adversity there, and a lot of rejoicing. I guess you could say there's a lot of life. I can't wait to worship with you!

Always in Hope,