(Reading: Mark 4: 35-41)
(Hymn: LBW 377, “Lift High the Cross”)
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
· Some 2.6 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008, the worst job loss since the end of World War II;
· The U.S. unemployment rate is forecasted to reach 8.9 percent by this summer;
· Industrial output plunged across Europe as the global economic crisis bit deeper;
· Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, saw its first ever operating loss due to a relentless global slide in car sales and a crippling rise in the yen;
· The U.S. budget deficit swelled to a record $1.2 trillion;
· The S&P 500 dropped 37.6 percent in 2008; the largest yearly decline since 1931;
· The bank bailouts, the US automakers’ bailout, and now a proposed $900 billion economic stimulus plan being debated in DC.
But (Jesus) was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” There is a Chinese proverb that states, “May you live in interesting times.” To state the obvious, “We are living in interesting times!” I don’t think I know anyone who has not been affected by the global economic meltdown.
We, as the Bethany community, declare we are a caring community in our promise statement. Furthermore, our core value of Hospitality describes Bethany as encompassing genuine care, grace, and generosity.
We all know the story of another great storm. This story can be found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. Of course, I’m talking about the Great Flood and Noah.
Let me humbly remind all of us how that story ended:
(Noah) waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; 11and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more. (Genesis 8:10-12)
Yes, Noah sent a dove to see if the storm had ended and the waters had subsided. As we live in these interesting times – these stormy times – perhaps we at Bethany should remember Noah’s dove along with our dove. Our dove might also help us find dry land.
(Jesus) woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. How simple a solution! “Peace! Be still!” Or, perhaps this morning’s hymn might suggest an alternative solution: Lift high the cross!
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not trying to be Pollyanna. I understand the gravity of the world’s economic situation. But I also understand God’s grace and the strength to move through these times reassured by that grace. I hope that the Bethany community understands that grace as well. More importantly, I hope that the Bethany community understands the anchors we have in our community to ground us and to support us as we face these challenging times together.
Let me suggest that we all consider using Chapel as our home base. Let’s gather to re-center ourselves in God’s grace three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30-10:50. As the storm rages, we need a safe place to go like we needed a safe place, or home base, when we were kids playing tag. We need a place to catch our breath before we start running again.
Let me suggest that we open our hearts to support each other. For students, if you need someone to listen – and you may – seek out a friend, a professor, our campus pastor, or one of your Peer Ministers. For faculty and staff, you may need someone to listen also. Please seek them out.
(Jesus) said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” You will be telling your children and grandchildren about these times. But when they ask, “How did you handle it,” what will your answer be?
While there is some debate, there is an interpretation that the Chinese word for crisis contains the character for opportunity. Whether true or not, I’ve always embraced that reality because it helps me to focus on what’s important. I choose not to be overwhelmed by a crisis, but rather choose to seek out the opportunities that can be found within a crisis.
I love whitewater rafting. The rush of rafting class IV and class V rapids is exhilarating. But, for me, the great lesson of whitewater rafting is that life is permanent whitewater. I’ve also learned, the hard way, that to successfully navigate a class IV or class V rapid is not to focus on where you are, but instead to focus on where you want to be.
Times like these present us with wonderful opportunities to focus on where we want to be. Most of all, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to ourselves and to others who we are as Bethany College. Do we walk our talk? Do we live our mission and values? Do we deliver on our promise? Do we continue to chase our vision? Or, do we throw it all aside because times got tough, the waters got rough?
Peace! Be still! Do not be afraid. Keep the faith.
Amen.
The other experience was later in October when I returned to William Jewell College, my alma mater, to be inducted into the athletic hall of fame with the other members of the 1975-1976 Men's Swim Team. We are one of Jewell's few undefeated teams and we also won the Washington University Invitational that year. For me, not only were we a great team, but several on that team are now life-long friends of mine. In fact, one of them is my son's godfather. It was wonderful to spend a brief time with them and Coach Hamilton, who also has become a life-long friend and mentor.
