Island Moments: How to Breathe, Find Joy Today

Yesterday I read that we’re simultaneously experiencing five global crises at once. Right now. I’m not posting the link to that article. I’m not going to name the crises. Who is not aware? I am on this faraway island in Alaska and I too am aware. I too feel the weight. How do we live in the midst of these crises?

I have a simple answer. But first, shall we take a break? Shall we fly out to Harvester Island?

Here is a bit of Harvester Island news. There are 10 - 15 of us here on the island. But I have to count Gertrude as well. Here she is, growing fast!! (Baby bald eaglet, about 8 weeks old here. Remember when she had just hatched?

This is a busy place, with so many people to feed, to teach, to hear, to help. (People who need their 115 pound fish filleted . ..)

And sometimes on the morning commute to my “office,” I run into more traffic than usual . ..

I know it sounds idyllic. No co-vid to worry about here. The news and media as far away as we want it to be. But don’t imagine that a faraway island will solve all the world’s ills, or even your own.

There are days filled with blood and guts, metaphorically and sometimes literally. There are sadnesses we all carry, no matter where we live. Climate change is hitting us hard. Everything is cancelled. Where are the salmon? There are never enough hours, and there is so much uncertainty. How do we do everything we are asked to do? And how do we manage 5 crises at once? And we feel so alone.

It’s impossible.

But that is not everything.

Yesterday I finished reading the book of Thessalonians. The final words caught me. After all he had said and taught, here is what Paul wanted to leave with his friends.

Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. . .

And suddenly it was clear. Suddenly I could breathe. I can’t solve ANY of the issues facing us. But, maybe I can do this:

Be at peace,

encourage,

help,

be patient,

seek to do good.

Rejoice,

pray,

give thanks . …

Surely I can do this? In this moment, in this day? Yes. I can, at least some of the time. It’s not mysterious. THIS is what God asks of me today.

But Paul’s words aren’t done. Look who will do this in us, when we cannot.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

He’ll do it in us. For us. He’ll sanctify us, keep us blameless. For the sake of all of us.

He WILL surely do it, even when I cannot.

Can you rest in this with me today?