Relevant And Useful

Dave Brisbin 4.19.20 As I talk to more and more people being worn down by quarantine lockdown to where some are in real distress, the point is hammered home that our faith, spirituality, and the message we convey must be relevant and useful enough to meet people at their point of need. If the gospel as we understand it isn’t relevant, if it remains abstract—however beautiful as a concept—what good is it? Some recent surveys are showing that domestic violence calls are up 35% in the past few weeks. Chinks are appearing in everyone’s armor, but where there was dysfunction to begin with, there is real distress now. In a Sunday message, we can’t address all the specific issues needed to help specific families and individuals. There are principles we can look at to help us maintain balance and poise in our homes whether living with others or alone, but to talk about principles with people in pain runs the risk of trivializing their circumstances—speaking platitudes to those in need. As true as the principles Jesus gave us for living in relationship may be, they are also unhelpful…unless there is one person in the household who is able to put them in practice in real time in their home. How is that done? There are two ways to look at, each with its own learning curve, but for the person ready to follow the curves and become someone who can really listen, understand the fears driving behavior, empathize, compromise, comfort, and encourage—there is hope for balance within his or her home. Instead of waiting for relief, are you ready to be the person who brings it?