Continued from previous blog
Posted on January 28, 2010 | Leave a comment | Edit
Confessions of Jeremiah
In reflecting on this state of despair among clergy, I am reminded of the confessions of Jeremiah. Jeremiah lived in a time of tumult, anxiety, and despair. His several confessions, scattered throughout the book of Jeremiah, are worthy of review in light of our current situation. They deserve a more thorough study than I am going to give them here, but if you are feeling a sense of despair, let this be a start.
Step One: Give yourself permission to pull off by yourself for a couple of hours. It can be a quiet place, like a chapel or a library but it might also be a noisy place like a fast-food restaurant. At times I have found sanctuary in the midst of the noise, and yet it reminds me of the humanity around me.
If it is a restaurant, treat yourself to a hot or cold drink, find a table in a corner, and spend a period of time with a pad of paper simply writing about your feelings of despair. Don’t look for answers or solutions but simply write, perhaps for one-half hour, in a stream of conscience, free-flowing manner about your feelings. This alone will have its value.
Step two: I’m going to list the references in Jeremiah of his several laments. You are to read them and note, in relationship to what you have written, where you could also put your name. These are the references: 4:19-21; 5:3-5; 8:18-23; 11:18-12:6; 15:10-21; 17:14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7-18. Not all of them will fit but I can promise you that if you are feeling despair, you will find a companion who shares your feelings.
This doesn’t resolve your feelings of despair, but it is a significant step to know that you are in community with others that God has called to be shepherd servants of the Lord.
