Why Me? – Pastor Hines

 

Why Me? – Pastor Hines

May 1, 2022

 

If we haven’t asked the question, “Why me?” we have most certainly wondered why something unpleasant was happening to us. We have most certainly figured we did not deserve the problems we have and we’ve wondered why those who deserve it did not get the problems instead. We have witnessed riches and power in the hands of those who abuse and misuse good things and they certainly have done nothing to deserve it. Others may lose riches and power and even their lives when they have worked long and hard in all the right ways throughout their lives to get it. Don’t we hate that we are not in control? We are not in charge of anyone’s life. We can barely take care of the 80% of our life that we may be in charge of. The things that many of us can control such as our diet, our attitude, and our day-to-day choices may be the things that we may not be anxious to control. Instead, we may make choices that our doctors and therapists and family members do not recommend.

 

Even if we don’t deserve all the good we want, we still want it, and if we don’t get it or we get something we don’t want, we still may ask, “Why me? Why is it that what I want and long for is not happening. Why is the opposite happening? Why me?”

 

The Apostle Paul believed that God wanted him to get rid of the followers of Jesus. I am not convinced that Paul was listening to the voice of God at that time. It is good to, often, if not always leave some space in our conversation with God to listen.  Sometimes God guides us in a way that we have not gone before. Sometimes God guides us in ways that surprise us, even perplex us. We need to listen.

 

The followers of Jesus Paul was persecuting might have wondered, “Why me?” We’re trying to do good just like you are and you are making it legal for us to lose our lives and go to jail.” The answer of course is that God has a purpose and a plan for everything that happens to us. If God brings us to it, God will bring us through it. It is good to be careful, to be full of care and caution in living this life, knowing that God is in the midst and will never leave us.  

 

On this Native American Ministries Sunday I ran into a book recommended by a Native American called First White Frost. While there are many heroes among Native Americans, the book tells of the failures and successes as United Methodists worked to incorporate indigenous people into the church. We’re learning to take care.

 

Psychotherapist Tifini Dilworth has heard the views regarding Native Americans and alcoholism. However, she notes statistics that challenge the idea that Native Americans have the higher rates of heavy drinking, binge drinking, and that their children are at higher risk for suicide and self-destructive behavior. She raises questions as to whether some ideas function as stereotypes because she cites statistics indicating that there is less than a 1% difference in the levels of heavy drinking and other Americans.

 

Our Conference is actively working to support all people, especially those who need it most when they need it most. There is a Pow Wow in Pottstown at the riverfront today  (May 1) from 10-4. There are plenty of books, videos, and documentary that tell the stories that connect us to one another when we are ready.

Here is one I heard this week. Haley Turning Heart has a linguistics degree from Dartmouth College, She created a Yuchi language immersion school in 2018 that became a model and now draws visitors from around the world. A lifelong United Methodist, she is a former United Methodist Women’s president at Pickett Chapel in Oklahoma (an historic Yuchi church), and a former member of the UMC’s General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR).

Language is important. When we spend time in a place that does not speak the language we speak, we understand. Ms.Turning Heart is a blessing to the church.

The Apostle Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul and his Latin name was Paul, was an important religious leader. He was an official member of the Pharisees. Pharisees ruled in similar ways to Church Councils, making important decisions regarding ongoing religious work and workers. Like our Councils and Conferences, there were disagreements between the Pharisees and the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection, that’s why they were sad you see.

 

All religious leaders and authorities have to exercise the utmost care not to be the cause of the sufferings of others. Why? Because causes for suffering are so intricately woven and biases so thoroughly baked into our hearts and our organizations that it is worth the effort for all of us to praise God every hour and repent every day. Doing so helps us to be careful and avoid the results of carelessness and neglect.

 

These days are delicate, demanding care. One of our audio team volunteers works in the field of technology and has had projects with people in the Ukraine. Now he has no idea where his Ukrainian colleagues are or how they are. WBYN radio station mentioned a Christian calling the station from a bomb shelter in Ukraine. War is hell. We have to be careful how we maneuver as Christians and what we say and how we pray whether we are in a time of peace or war. We want to avoid unnecessary damage. We want to minimize the hurt and pain. Fast is slow and slow is fast. That is, moving too fast can have the results of a bull in a China shop. Taking our time and paying attention to details can make things move as speedily as possible.

 

I received a letter from Chester County that said the license number on my voting ballot application did not match the Department of Transportation and my ballot may not be counted. That letter gave me the creeps. It was stressful. I want to be careful in how I react and respond as a Christian.

One of the oldest religious authorities is the Vatican in Rome led by Pope Frances or Jorge Mario Bergoglio a Brazilian. He speaks seven languages. He rules Vatican City. It’s the smallest state in the world with 110 or so acres and a population of 825. I was surprised to know that the Vatican has three jail cells. One has a priest prisoner who was convicted of possessing and sharing child pornography, just as United Methodists ministers are also serving time at this moment.

I was also surprised to hear someone say that many poor people stand outside the Vatican, begging.  The Vatican is not responsible for all the needs of the world but hopefully, they are doing what they are supposed to do with care.

 

Paul thought he was doing his best when he rejected the followers of Jesus. He rejected Christians just like Methodists rejected those who drank alcohol, those who were gay, women in the pulpit and people of color beyond the balcony. Methodists have split, divided, and waged war over our differences when God clearly calls us to unity….which does not happen without the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Receiving the Holy Spirit that unites us will cause us to grow in righteousness, in missions, in love with Jesus and his people.  

 

Jesus confronted Paul on his way to Damascus to get rid of as many of Jesus’ followers as he could. The confrontation was dramatic and shocking. He was blind for three days and dependent on others to lead him around. While he may have wondered why all this was happening to him even though he was convinced he was doing the right thing, Jesus asked Paul, “Why me? Why are you persecuting me? Soon after Paul humbled himself and started praying, listening, learning in a new way. He surrendered his life and became one of Jesus’ followers like the very ones he was bent and determined to wipe off the face of the earth.

 

Paul acted before he humbly prayed. Now we know it is important to humble ourselves and pray before we act.  The answer to “Why me?” leads us to praise God every hour and repent every day in order to ever so carefully discover and fulfill God’s purpose and plan. May it be so today and always. Amen.