No Whiners

There is a popular TV show called “Survivor.” It’s been on TV now for over 20 seasons. It’s syndicated all over the world. The show thrives on showing how individuals adapt to group dynamics and societal rules changes through horrendous conditions in the hope of receiving the big prize at the end. The show is particularly interesting because I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a contestant cry on the show or demonstrate widespread weakness. After all, the contestants have volunteered for this abuse and there is a reason behind the madness so all that happens on the show is just part of game.

If you’re new to faith evangelical church, you may be asking yourself, “Why is the pastor talking about the TV show survivor?” Well, television offers us a modern day story from which to teach truth about the Christian faith. It is in many ways the modern day way of teaching by the use of story – very much like Jesus did with parables.

One of the most well known Survivor’s from the bible was Jeremiah. If he were on the show today, you would either love him because you know his background or you would hate his conviction. Jeremiah was the ultimate survivor. He was the pastor kid of a pastor kid. He was a prophet at 18. He was biblical theologian long before the world knew what that was. He focused his teachings on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible) and Hosea and the Psalms. He lived in a very rough time for people in general, but even tougher for those in Judah. The year was around 650 b.c. and the world was in a flux with the balance of power in the world shifting from the Assyrians and the Egyptians to the Babylonians. The former Judah king was a follower of our God and he tried to use his power to clean up the false theology that was evident everywhere. However, he passed away fighting the Egyptians. After his death, the country quickly fell apart. Jeremiah was left to fend for himself. As you can imagine, it is tough to be the lone person convinced the whole team of Jews should do something different than they were doing.

In today’s reading, we have a dialog between God and Jeremiah that sounds like any of us when life doesn’t go the way we expect it too or we don’t get what we want. Listen to these statements from Jeremiah 12: 1-4 (read the text)

You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? 2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. 3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! 4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us." (NIV)

Does any of this sound familiar to you? It does to me. I’ve realized I’m a whiner sometimes. I’ve also noticed I have a tendency to whine more when I feel overburden, stressed or just plan busy. I know part of it for the attention…Oh see how hard I work… but it’s also because I think the world is not working the way I think it should. I want somebody to stop the madness that I see, hear and feel is all around me. This is where Jeremiah’s at. He’s saying to God, “You need to take these evil folks out so all will be right in the world. They’ll believe in you more if you do as I say.

However, God has another idea about what should be happening and why. As such, God offers Jeremiah a simple riddle, a statement of understanding and then a statement of hope for everyone.

God says in verses 5 and 6:

If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? 6 Your brothers, your own family-- even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you. (NIV)

God is reminding Jeremiah, it’s not about the evil people in the world. It’s not about what you want. Our purpose in life is our lot in life. Wherever you find yourself being called to serve, it is your role to follow through no matter what the cost. Don’t listen to those around you or to your family friends. It is God that matters.