Shaking of the Foundations

OMG! I've had this quote saved for over 11 years. David Brooks mentioned him, the first of three theologians he quoted at a lecture at Earlham College. I have always loved Paul Tillich! He was a German-American theologian influencing the rise of Christian existentialism movement in the 1950s and 60s in America. He immigrated from Germany at the rise of Nazism and settled into teaching at the University of Chicago. His book, "Shaking the Foundations," is a collection of his sermons addressing faith and doubt, existential anxiety, symbolism, hope, salvation and ultimately understanding what shaking the foundation means! His best sermon, in my opinion, is his attempt to preach about grace and mercy.

Amazing grace - how sweet the sound! I once heard a seminary professor say, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound - the original version actually saved a wretched worm - a wretched worm?" He pulled something out of his pocket and said, "If you are going to be a worm, be a glow worm!" and held up a glow worm! Grace is just being. Nothing more or less. Grace is letting go, realizing that you don't have to be! Grace is the feeling of acceptance by something greater than yourself.

You are accepted! Period! I will often joke when I say, "I have my people ..." Recently I found my people in Panama City Beach, Florida -- the Pirates of the White Sand.

Imagine my excitement this week when, on Facebook, Captain Dal invited me into the "Real" Facebook! I need a pirate name by January 15. My friend, Johnnie, says it should be "Psychotica" ... suggestions are welcome!

The courage to accept! It's hard to feel like someone truly loves me just as I am. But you know ... I AM! This is the declaration Tillich refers to in his sermon. It takes courage to attempt the "I AM!" as the ground of our being, which includes accepting our acceptance by this ultimate power. The struggle is between our authentic self and the self that is perceived. We define ourselves, yet we often hide it.

I have hidden my light under a bushel - oh no! "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Don't let someone or others blow it out! I will stomp my feet, clap my hands, run around and jump off the ground!"

I thought Grace was a lighter my friend Sonny and I found at a Walgreens on Frankfort Ave, in Louisville. She was a 50s pin-up girl. I was told when I went to seminary to remember one word -- grace! I missed that part! Grace never made much sense to me until I realized I was not walking by faith but by Darla.

I have had the opportunity of hearing the Martin Luther piece recently at the Reid Center in Richmond, Indiana, about Fortresses and the four variations - peaceful, joyous, dark, and finally: "A Mighty Fortress is our God!' I was reminded of the power of a reformist who believed in what he was reforming. Yes, the father of the Protestant reformation movement was a prolific hymn writer. We still sing, " A Mighty Fortress," it being a hand-over-hearts type of Christian pledge of allegiance.

Tillich brings to life today's version of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." He challenges us, much as David, fleeing Saul. It refers to the collapse of the "Foundations" of the kingdom and its laws. He says in Psalm 11:3, "If the Foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" It's a rhetorical question about the chaos and breakdown of social, moral, and spiritual order.

It is the story of David and Saul. The foundations were being destroyed - the legal, social, and spiritual underpinning of the rule of King Saul. David's counselors urged him to flee, but he trusts that God will prevail and God's purpose will be fulfilled through him.

Societal breakdown - the verse also speaks to a broader sense of crisis when the institutions that maintain social order and justice seem to be crumbling.

The righteous response? - verse 4: "Trust in God's eternal reign." Even when the world seems to be falling apart, the righteous can find their foundation and stability in God's unassailable throne, rather than in shifting circumstances in life.

Ultimate reliance - the verse highlights that in time of immense chaos, a righteous person cannot rely on their own strength or worldly resources. Instead, the only secure foundation is faith in God, who remains steadfast when all else seems destroyed.

Grace? Maybe it wasn't found on a lighter at Walgreens on Frankfort Avenue. Maybe it was found in the invitation to join Pirates and meet new friends that bring me to a closer walk by faith!

This little light of mind? I'm gonna let it shine ... how about you?

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed!

Darla