Parable of the Lobster

“God is our refuge and strength.... Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change....” (Psalm 46:1-2)

As we continue to navigate the challenges of our health crisis, each of us is experiencing many changes.  Changes in the way we live, work, worship, interact with others, and other things. Even as we begin to venture more out into the world again, it’s likely that life will not return to “normal” anytime in the near future, if at all!

All of this highlights the fact that CHANGE is something we are all very uncomfortable with.  And yet, change is a natural part of life, and can be something that helps us experience the “new things” that God wants to teach and show us.  Highlighting this, the following modern day parable comes from Rev. Carolyn Wittwer of the New York Annual Conference by way of Rev. Doug Smith, former Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Morristown, Tennessee:

[NOTE: this parable was shared at the beginning of my sermon during online worship several weeks ago. If you missed it, click HERE to watch)]

“Long ago, when the world was very new... there was a certain lobster who determined that the Creator had made a mistake.  So he set up an appointment to discuss the matter.  “With all due respect,” said the lobster, “I wish to complain about the way you designed my shell.  You see, I just get used to one outer casing, when I’ve got to shed it for another; very inconvenient and rather a waste of time.”  To which the Creator replied, “I see.  But do you realize that it is the giving up of one shell that allows you to grow into another?”

“But I like myself just the way I am,” the lobster said.  “Your mind’s made up?” the Creator said.  “Indeed!” the lobster stated firmly. “Very well,” smiled the Creator.  “From now on, your shell will not change... and you may go about your business just as you are right now.”  “That’s very kind of you,” said the lobster, and left.

At first, the lobster was very content with wearing the same old shell.  But as time passed, he found that his once light and comfortable shell was becoming quite heavy and tight.  After a while, in fact, the shell became so cumbersome that the lobster couldn’t feel anything at all outside himself.  As a result, he was constantly bumping into others. Finally, it got to the point where he could hardly breathe.  So with great effort, he went back to see the Creator.

“With all due respect,” the lobster sighed, “contrary to what you promised, my shell has not remained the same.  It keeps shrinking!”  “Not at all,” smiled the Creator.  “Your shell may have gotten a little thicker with age, but it has remained the same size.  What’s happened is that you have changed inside, beneath your shell.” The Creator continued: “You see, everything changes... continuously.  No one remains the same.  That’s the way I’ve designed things.  And the wisest choice is to shed your old shell as you grow.”  “I see,” said the lobster, “but you must admit it is occasionally inconvenient and a bit uncomfortable.”

“Yes,” said the Creator, “but remember, all growth carries with it both the possibility of discomfort... and the potential for great joy as you discover new parts of yourself.  After all, you can’t have one without the other.” “That’s very sensible,” said the lobster. 

“If you’d like,” offered the Creator, “I’ll tell you something more.” “Please do!” encouraged the lobster.  “When you let go of your shell and choose to grow,” said the Creator, “you build new strength within yourself and in that strength you’ll find new capacity to love yourself... to love those around you... and to love life itself.  That is my plan for each of you.”

During this time of challenge and change, how is God calling you to stretch… in your life?  in your faith?  What new thing(s) is He challenging you with through it all?  In what ways is God calling you and our church to be more than you/we have been?  Whatever transformation challenge you and I are facing, my hope and prayer is that even though change is often difficult and uncomfortable, we will all welcome it as a tool from God to help us become who He wants us to be.  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Never Give Up!

“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I’m sure you’ve heard it many times before:  “Good things come to those who wait.” This is certainly true.  However, “waiting” does not necessarily mean that we are (or need to be) passive or inactive during our time of waiting.  That’s why “active waiting” is just another way to describe the concept of perseverance, and it’s something that truly makes a difference when we practice it.

Perhaps you know the true story of the man who lost his job in 1832.  In that same year, he ran and was defeated for State legislature, as well.  His business failed a year later (in 1833), and was finally elected to the State legislature in 1834.  His sweetheart died in1835, and he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1836.  He was defeated for Speaker of his State House in 1838, defeated for nomination for U.S. Congress in 1843, and then elected to Congress in 1846.  He lost his re-nomination for Congress in 1848, was rejected for Land Officer in 1849, defeated for U.S. Senate in 1854, and defeated for nomination for Vice President in 1856.  He was again defeated for the Senate in 1858.  But in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected 16^th President of the United States.  Now that’s perseverance!

The scripture above reminds us that no matter what challenge, difficulty, obstacle, or negative mindset we face, perseverance will usually enable us to achieve what we set out to do.  This is especially true when we trust in God to see us through -- “God plus me make a majority,” I’ve also heard it said.

So, what seemingly insurmountable challenge are you facing in your individual, family, or church life that needs perseverance?  Is it all the challenges, obstacles, and frustrations of our current health crisis?   Is it the loss of your job?  Challenges in your family or marriage?  A medical or health issue that you or someone you love are facing?  If you ask, God will give you the strength and resources to persevere if you will but trust in Him.  We need only to have perseverance to see the victory of God in and through whatever it is! So, hang in there, and always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Be Still, My Soul

 “’Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge’ Selah” (Psalm 46:10-11)

We are all living in a time and season of extreme, rapid, and radical change – change in our world to the way we live, eat out, do sports, and even in how we worship and do church.  And while changes such as these usually are uncomfortable, awkward, and unwelcome, they nevertheless need not be things to fear. Instead, as I’ve heard it before, God uses the changes we experience in life to prepare us for a “new normal.”

In 1899, Jean Sibelius read the lyrics of a poem by Katharina von Schlegel from a century earlier and was led to set them to a famous tune that ended up creating one of the most enduring Christian hymns – one that we still sing today:

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice, who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the veil of tears,

then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

from His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

[--Words by Katharina von Schlegel (1752), Tune “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius   (1899), found in The United Methodist Hymnal #534]

May you and your soul “be still” and know that God is with you (and all of us) through all the changes occurring all around us, and that – as the hymn says -- “in every change He faithful will remain!” Whatever change or transition you are facing today, trust that God is with you!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!