The Three Questions

When I worked in retail, there were times that something was just so far beyond my control that I thought needed fixing that I developed a series of questions to ask myself so that I could relieve some stress. Much like last week, although this is how my internal system thinks of this, I am also fairly certain I did not come up with this, and just like last week, I cannot tell you the source. I know some of it must have been inspired by the Serenity Prayer. Knowing which things I can change and which I cannot is not a new concept, it is the wisdom to know the difference that I spent some time thinking about, pondering, and parsing out into a useful system that has served me well.

So, the first step to all of this isn’t the questions. It’s really not. The reason to start asking the questions is that something bothers you. And it could be something big like genocide, something chronic like food instability, or something infinitesimal and petty like the way you have put things in your pantry. Once you’ve identified that something bothers you enough that you want to do something about it, then you’re ready to ask the questions.

Now, for why this matters theologically, we don’t have to look far. Much of this is based on the idea that we, as people, are transformed by the love of Christ. As we are new creations in Christ, there will be change. That change might be internal in that loving our neighbors as ourselves creates not only a positive impact on how we treat other people, but also in how we think about and treat ourselves. That change might be external. If you are someone who struggles with saying kind things or having self-control, the changes that people notice first might be related to the fruits of the Spirit. If you can encounter Christ and be the same person after as you were before, I have some questions for you, but not the three about change and serenity that I’ll offer up next.

Can I do something?

The first question is can I do something about what it is that I see as needing a change. Sometimes the answer to this is yes. Wisdom says you have the ability to change many things in your life. If you find yourself irked at your pantry layout, you can probably do something about it. Take a day and fix it. If you want to change your habits, like hydration, you can probably make the changes to have water readily available, so you are less dehydrated. If you struggle with remembering to keep appointments, you can be accountable by putting reminders in your phone (though this may have limited success, especially if your main struggle is with ADHD). Many of these things that bother us enough to make a change bother us because we are the ones impacted by what is happening. These are the sorts of things that we can take personal responsibility for and do something. Most of these things can be categorized as being immediate, physical, and already within your sphere of power and influence. And yes, theologically speaking, we are also hoping that changes we make to these small things bring God glory. Or reflects the love of Christ.

An immediate caveat is that so often we are most successful in these sorts of changes if we have someone else with whom we have some level of accountability. Whether that’s a friend, colleague, spouse, or support group full of strangers from the internet, success can be impacted by knowing that someone is going to ask you how things are going in regard to a change that you’ve made. Again, you have to be the one to make the changes, no one else can force you to do it (the gift of free will), but once you’ve decided to take on that change, you can set yourself up for success by writing it down, washing your hands, or setting up an accountabili-buddy. (A buddy to whom you are accountable.)

Can I ask someone else?

So, what happens if the change isn’t so small? Is there someone else that I know who has the power to fix it. Probably? Taking my chronic example of food instability, I could ask my church family to help feed our neighbors. Even in a city the size of Valley View, I, as one person, cannot solve all the food instability around me. However, others can help with this situation. The Blessing Box serves as a straightforward, not overly bureaucratic way to make sure that food instability has some resources serves that purpose. Will it solve all food instability everywhere? No, but that goes more to the big problems. Food instability in our city and neighborhood is something we can work together to change. When we unite as one to do good in God’s name, we can accomplish a great deal. We can make a change that makes a difference.

And surprise, genocide also falls into this category. When people are enacting violence upon others, we can do everything in our power to make it stop. We can beg, plead, ask our government to set economic sanctions, speak publicly and inform others about what is happening, and generally not keep quiet so that the rocks have to cry out. As Christ followers we often have an obligation and duty as those who serve Christ to seek justice from the very powerful, violent, and cruel. We cry out the injustice because we have the power and privilege needed to do so as the voices of those most directly impacted are silenced, ignored, or growing weary. And when a whole system is set up to benefit the rich it can seem insurmountable, but as I am growing fond of saying, God has worked bigger miracles.

What if no earthly power can fix it?

Somethings in life that are broken are beyond human fixing. If someone has been dead for a while, you can’t bring people back from the dead. Resurrection (as opposed to resuscitation) is a God thing, not a human thing. Lazarus had begun to smell before Christ arrived to resurrect his friend. When we find that there is nothing in our power to do, or our strength is failing, or we need the right words to the right people, we trust in God, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, utilize our free will, and march ever onwards towards God’s kingdom- that free, just, loving world that God imagines for all people. We are not the arbiters of change (despite the fact we can change things), but when we are transformed by Christ, we may find ourselves seeking to help transform the world around us. May God guide us as we do.