REFLEX OR REFLECT? RSVP!
Posted by Christ the King Lutheran Church on July 8, 2011 under Pastor's Message | 
Comments are off for this article
Sometimes, when a big thunderstorm rumbles overhead, the crack of lightning and the crash of thunder is so loud that I duck. It’s instinct, rather than logic. There is no way that ducking will protect me, but my body reflexes kick in anyway.
It’s easy to give in to reflex actions when troubles come, rather than taking the time for reflective thought. We go with the flow of adrenalin; we shout, cry, and push back against the threat. We argue and accuse; we run from one action to another. Sleeping and eating patterns are affected; frantic motion takes the place of faithful thought.
But we don’t have to go it alone. One mature Christian says that rocking back and forth crying “O God, O God,” is effective prayer. When we are wordless, when we are confused, the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27).
In addition we have Jesus’ tender invitation (Matthew 11:28-30): “Bring your exhaustion and your load of grief, sorrow, or sin to me, and I will give you rest.” Those words give us another option besides frenzy (or its opposite immobility) when we face stressful family, financial, or health situations. It’s as though Jesus says, “Come close. Let me help you with that baggage. Let me tell you how I carried the heavy loads in my earthly life. Let me remind you of the promises spoken throughout the bible. Let me remind you of the other people who will pray for you when they know there is a problem. Let me help you get close to our God and Father so you won’t feel so alone in this situation.” Those are good words to hold onto when our minds start racing in the middle of the night.
There are times for a sudden, sharp response (say an avalanche is coming), but probably less of them than we think. More often there is time for our own prayer, and time to ask for the prayer of others. There is time to ask for clarity, for wisdom, for fresh vision. And there is time to remember that we are loved so much that Jesus died for us.
On the other side of that death was something that surprised all of his friends and enemies: there was resurrection. In the midst of the storm we can forget that new life is promised in our relationship to Jesus.
Come—find rest for your bodies, your minds, your spirits. Jesus’ invitation always comes with an RSVP.