Become More

This sermon addresses the common human experience of anxiety, drawing wisdom from Luke 12:22-31. It challenges a simplistic view of "not worrying," explaining how anxiety can be a powerful motivator designed to reorient us towards God and our community. Through insightful biblical context and a compelling survival story, we are encouraged to trust in God's constant presence and the strength found in mutual support, reminding us that we are never truly alone.

## When Anxiety Disorients, Water Guides Imagine being seventeen, plunging 10,000 feet into the Amazon rainforest after your plane is struck by lightning. Miraculously surviving, you’re alone, injured, and utterly disoriented in 1971, with no way to navigate. Overwhelmed by anxiety, how do you find your way out? This young woman remembered her father's wisdom: "If you ever find yourself lost in the rainforest, look for running water. Follow it downstream until it reaches bigger water, because water will always take you to people." Despite the confusing wilderness, she found a stream. For nine arduous days, she followed it, and it led her to a logging camp, and eventually, to help. Her anxiety, though terrifying, became the motivation to reorient herself towards life and community. You may not face a literal rainforest, but life's challenges can leave you feeling just as lost and anxious. In Luke 12:22–31, Jesus doesn't simply say "don't worry." The word "worry" also implies being "divided" or "torn apart." Jesus understands that anxiety often signals a sense of separation—from God, from ourselves, or from our neighbors. He gently reminds us, as "little ones" (a term of endearment), that God knows our needs and values us infinitely more than the ravens or lilies. Instead of letting anxiety divide you, Jesus invites you to reorient your focus: "Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." True security comes from reconnecting. When anxiety stirs, it’s an invitation to remember whose you are and to lean on God’s presence and your community. You are never meant to face life’s wildness alone. ### The Practice The next time anxiety takes hold, pause and consider: What is this feeling trying to tell me about where I might feel divided or disconnected? Like the girl in the rainforest, what "stream" of grace – perhaps quiet prayer, a conversation with a trusted friend, or an act of shared service – can you follow to reorient yourself towards God's embrace and the strength of community? ### The Prayer Gracious God, when anxiety clouds our path, remind us that we are never alone. Guide us to reorient our hearts towards Your unwavering presence and towards the love we share with our neighbors, so that we may face challenges with courage and grace, always connected to You and to each other. Amen.

The journey of faith is an ongoing dialogue, a continuous invitation from God to walk alongside us. Often, we come to this conversation with our own ideas of how God should appear, how we should be met, or what we *want* to hear. We might seek God in the loud triumphs or the dramatic interventions, expecting a confirmation of our desires. However, the divine wisdom shown through Elijah's experience teaches us a deeper truth: God meets us where we *need* to be met. It may not align with our expectations or preferences, but it is always precisely what our soul requires for growth and peace. The ultimate question is not about God's presence, for the Spirit is ever-present. Rather, it is about our willingness to stand at the "entrance of the cave," to open our hearts, and to receive God's guidance in the quiet, humble, and often unexpected ways that truly nourish our spirit.

Sometimes, our lives feel like a whirlwind of overwhelming circumstances, where clarity seems impossible amidst the internal and external clamor. Like Elijah, who fled in despair after a monumental victory, we can find ourselves at a low point, questioning everything, feeling robbed or lost. In these moments of profound turmoil, it's natural to feel stuck, unable to envision a path forward. Yet, as we learn from stories like that of Walt Disney, profound breakthroughs often emerge not from doubling down on our anxiety, but from the deliberate act of calming the heart and mind. After the initial shock and anger subside, a quiet space opens. This stillness allows for reflection, for acceptance of what is, and for the courageous imagination of what could be. Trust that even from the ashes of what was, new possibilities can arise when we surrender to the calm and allow creativity to flow.

Life often demands much of us, filling our days with activity, responsibility, and relentless noise. There comes a point, however, when the soul yearns for replenishment, a deep-seated need for respite. Just as a busy day of spirited activity calls for a restorative nap, our spiritual lives require intentional moments of pause and rest. Elijah, overwhelmed and isolated, found himself in a cave, needing a sacred space away from the fray. Today, reflect on your own need for spiritual and physical rest. It is not a sign of weakness, but an act of profound self-care and spiritual wisdom to step back. This intentional stillness creates an opening for God to minister to us in ways that busyness often obscures. Lay aside the urge to constantly do, and simply *be*. In this sacred pause, allow yourself to be nurtured, to regain your footing, and to experience the rejuvenating presence of God’s peace.

Our faith journeys are rich with moments that stir the soul—from the communal joy of spirited gatherings to personal experiences of profound wonder. We feel God's presence vividly in the laughter of children, the energy of shared service, and the vibrant expressions of community. These are indeed manifestations of the Spirit, loud and unmistakable. Yet, God's presence is not confined to the grand and the glorious. Consider Elijah, who witnessed tremendous divine power before retreating to a cave, utterly spent. God met him there, not in another dramatic display, but in utter stillness. This reminds us that while God delights in our boisterous praise, the divine also resides in the quiet corners of our lives, in the spaces of introspection and solitude. Let us not limit our expectation of God’s appearance. The Spirit moves in the vibrant chaos and in the sacred calm, inviting us to recognize divine love in every season of our experience.

In a world constantly buzzing with demands and distractions, it can be challenging to discern the divine presence. We often expect God to appear in grand, dramatic gestures—like the powerful wind, the shaking earth, or consuming fire. Yet, the ancient story of Elijah reminds us of a profound truth: sometimes, God’s most intimate communication comes not in the spectacle, but in "a sound of sheer silence." This is where we are invited to listen most intently. Today, as you navigate the responsibilities of your week, consider intentionally carving out moments of quiet. It doesn’t require a mountaintop retreat; it could be a few minutes before starting your day, or a silent walk. In these spaces, consciously quiet your inner chatter and open your heart to receive. God often speaks in whispers, in insights that surface when the noise fades, in a sense of peace that settles over your spirit. Be present for the subtle, yet powerful, whispers of grace.

This sermon explores how God meets us in both the loud, exciting moments of life, much like the energy of Vacation Bible School, and in the quiet, reflective times. Drawing from the biblical story of Elijah and a modern parallel with Walt Disney, we discover that God often speaks to us in a "still small voice" when our lives are filled with chaos and turmoil. The message encourages us to be open to God's presence, not always where we expect or want it, but where we truly need it for peace and renewal.

## Finding Grace in the Stillness Imagine a world-renowned cartoonist, a pioneer who poured his heart and innovative spirit into a beloved character named Oswald the Rabbit. He watched his creation gain popularity, his dreams taking shape. Then, through a twist of fate and legal fine print, everything he built was taken away. Betrayed and furious, he boarded a cross-country train, the weight of his loss pressing down. The journey was long, filled with turmoil, but somewhere amidst the vast, quiet landscapes of America, his mind began to calm. In that unexpected stillness, a new character began to form on his sketchpad – one we now know as Mickey Mouse. That man was Walt Disney, and his story reminds us how profound clarity can emerge from chaos when we allow ourselves to be still. Like Walt Disney, we often experience life as a whirlwind. There are moments of exhilarating loudness, where God’s presence feels undeniable – perhaps in the vibrant energy of a community event, or a significant personal triumph. These are times when God’s Spirit moves powerfully, unmistakably, much like Elijah’s dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal. We feel God’s hand in the fire and the excitement. Yet, as Elijah discovered after his triumph, God doesn’t always come in the grand, spectacular displays. After all the commotion, the prophet found himself alone in a cave, overwhelmed and distraught. God passed by in a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but Elijah was told the Lord was not in them. Instead, God met him in a “sound of sheer silence.” Sometimes, after all the noise and even after deep disappointments, what we truly need is quiet. God meets us not always where we *want* to be met, but where we *need* to be met – often in the serene, unexpected stillness that allows us to truly hear. **Next Step:** Find a moment today, even just five minutes, to intentionally set aside the noise. Turn off distractions, close your eyes, and simply be still. In this quiet space, ask yourself: *Where might God be calling me to listen for a still, small voice in my life right now?* **Prayer:** Gracious God, thank you for pursuing us in all circumstances, in both the vibrant celebrations and the profound quiet. Open our hearts to embrace the stillness, trusting that your Spirit will meet us there, guiding us forward in the way we truly need. Amen.

We made it to Day 5! Today, the kids wrapped up the week with John's beautiful vision of hope in the book of Revelation. In our final episode, we talk about how to raise hopeful, resilient kids in a cynical world, the history of the desolate island of Patmos, and how Howie the Howler Monkey acts as an "accidental gardener" of the rainforest. Thank you for sharing your kids with us this week!