Diegel, Matthew H.

English

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 17Issue 2 Health and Wholeness Article 1311-1-1991Fire in the bonesMatthew H. DiegelFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationDiegel, Matthew H. (1991) "Fire in the bones," Consensus: Vol. 17 : Iss. 2 , Article 13.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol17/iss2/13Fire in the BonesMatthew H. DeigelPastor, Christ Lutheran Church,Windsor, OntarioText: Jeremiah 20:7-13One of the questions most often asked me when people learnof the small size of our congregation is, “Don’t you get discour-aged?” My exact answer varies somewhat, depending on whois asking the question and why they are doing so. However, itscontent remains basically the same: “Yes, I do get discouragedfrom time to time.” I become especially so when I get trappedinto the game of comparing our congregation with other ones,whose spokespeople can make their parishes sound so perfect,so lively, so beautiful. I also get discouraged when I read oldreports concerning our congregation and reahze that many ofthe dreams of our charter members, and of those who havejoined later, have not yet been fully reahzed.As I have also told many of you, during these times of dis-couragement I also sometimes begin to wonder what I am doinghere: what does the future hold in store for us as part of thefamily of God gathered in this place? Sometimes, I even feeltempted at least to ask God to give us a break. For example, Igot angry with God in May and June when in rapid successionthe furnace, lawn tractor, and air conditioner broke down. Idid not think that was especially fair, laying all those burdensupon us. Peter tells us that suffering builds character, but itwas getting pretty ridiculous! Our characters were already tenfeet tall! So also, in some of my daily devotions, I tell God thatChrist Lutheran Church, Windsor, Ontario, has been small forlong enough; it’s time for us to grow and I want to be part ofit!182 ConsensusAll of us, I suspect, from time to time become discoiuragedand angry with the Creator. Such feelings are not only re-lated to our congregational life, but to all the callings God hasgiven us. For example, mothers and fathers, including my own,sometimes wonder aloud to God why they have received theministry to raise children. They inform God they are a bittired out, or that they axe not sure they are doing so good ajob. So also, many people discover that their jobs, to whichthey beheved before that God had called them, have becomeroutine, boring, seemingly without purpose. They demand ofGod why they are still here, instead of doing something moreexciting and fulfilhng. Then too, many persons complain tothe Creator that they are tired of living as faithful followers;living and speaking God’s Word seems to get them nowhere.The prophet Jeremiah, in our First Lesson, expresses a sim-ilar, though far deeper, discouragement to God. True to hiscalling he has cried out the terrible things that will befall theIsraelites, unless they turn back to God. However, no one haslistened. Indeed, the night before this lament, he had beenin the temple of Jerusalem performing his ministry, when theson of the chief priest had had him arrested. Jeremiah wasbeaten, and put in the stocks, left helpless outside during thelong night. Now, the prophet has had enough. He cries outto God, “O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived;thou art stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed. I have be-come a laughingstock all the day; every one mocks me....Theword of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision allday long.” Even his friends have forsaken him; he is finished.The Hebrew word translated here as “deceived” more cor-rectly means “seduced”, in the sexual sense. Thus Jeremiah issaying that God may have succeeded in getting him to serve,but only because of low-down trickery and enticement, becauseof the promise of beautiful things to come. Now, however, theprophet has seen through the divine deceit. The time of reck-oning has arrived; it is almost as if Jeremiah is telling Godeither to come to his rescue, or to let him alone.How often do we teU God to leave us alone? When do weinform the Creator that we want results or else we are throughbeing the good Christian, and will instead do what the rest ofthe world seems to be enjoying so much? We realize that GodFire in the Bones 183Ihas called every one of us through the Gospel to be followers;however, at times, we wonder whether it’s all worth it.We have no clear idea how long Jeremiah remained discour-aged; it might have been a long time, or as short as our text,written after the fact, seems to indicate. However, one thingis certain. At some point in his wavering the prophet reahzedthat the call from God was still within him; God still had min-istry for him to accomplish. Jeremiah describes this feeling as,“If I say, ‘I wiU not mention him, or speah any more in hisname,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut upin my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I can-not.” Inspite of his weariness, inspite of his discouragement,Jeremiah knew he had to continue.But how? How could he continue, after aU he had endured?When runners in a marathon seem almost out of energy, thebest ones suddenly have a burst of speed, enough to get themto the end of the race! Their training has enabled them to keepsome adrenalin in reserve, something there when they need itthe most. So also in Indy car racing the drivers can controlthe gas consumption throughout the contest, and then use thisreserve in the final critical moments.Likewise Jeremiah had a hidden reserve of energy, a forcewhich would enable him once more to speak the word of Godbravely, defying the taunts and the personal injuries he knewhe would have to endure. This comfort he also knew camefrom God. The Creator, rather than being a seducer who hadabandoned the prophet as soon as he had agreed to his call,had promised to remain with Jeremiah through everything heencountered. Whatever Jeremiah had to endure, so too God;whatever the prophet proclaimed, so did God. And, most im-portantly, whenever Jeremiah doubted, there was God, promis-ing justice, promising the final turning into reahty of the wordshe spoke. Those doing evil could have their fun now; God andJeremiah would ultimately prevail.So also, I believe, the Gospel reading appointed for thisSunday [Matthew 10:24-33] gives us new strength and hopeto continue. Jesus reminds us that we are of infinite value toGod, worth far more than what others (and even what we our-selves) may think of us. Always we are to walk erect, proudlyproclaiming the good news. God promises to remain with us.184 Consensusfinally defeating all the forces that lead people to cHng to thedarkness, rather than to the promise of light and life.The prophet Jeremiah shared his reason for continuing asa servant of God in his writings preserved in Scripture. Manyof us, I beheve, also have our own images and readings whichserve to rejuvenate us, and to enable us to persevere. When Ibecome discouraged in my ministry, both in this congregationand elsewhere, there are two pieces of art which spark withinme that burst of energy to continue, which remind me of thetimeliness of both God’s presence and of God’s promises. One,a crucifix, is on the wall in my office. On it, the figure ofJesus hangs, reminding me that through Jesus’ life and deathI am a forgiven sinner, a child of God, an heir of the comingrealm of God. Never need I despair of doing the work to whichthe risen Lord has called all the baptized. At times the senseof discouragement may seem overwhelming, but that crucifixalways serves to remind me that God has the final word, notthe world. I also reahze that God is calling me to pick up myown cross once more, and to continue on the journey, passingthrough both the good and bad that is to come, both in thiscongregation and elsewhere.The second artwork which provides me with strength tocontinue conveys to me once more the promise of the eternalpresence of God in the lives of the saiints. When I was con-firmed, my great-grandmother gave me a plaque depicting therisen Christ with his hand outstretched in blessing. WheneverI see or think of that image, I remember the promise of Jesusto be with all of us to the end of the age, wherever we are doingthe Lord’s work. Others may attempt to disprove or ignore thepower and presence of the Creator, but this promise is to serveto strengthen us, and to lead us in our journey as disciples.Perhaps during the coming fellowship hour it would be agood idea for us to share with each other what it is that pro-vides us with the power to continue as God’s ministers. Whoknows: someone else’s secret means of coping may well alsobecome our’s. What we tell each other may well provide com-fort and renewal for someone who does not have an image orreading which is able to sustain them. At the very least duringthe coming week all of us can think privately about this hiddenfire placed within all of us through Baptism. What does it feelFire in the Bones 185like when we do not allow it to surface? How does God enableus to use it?So also, I encourage those of you so inclined to write yourdiscoveries down, as Jeremiah did. I don’t think I can promisethat it will become part of the Bible. However, it might becomepart of our newsletter, or something I can share with a personwho comes to me for comfort.In our Baptism, the Holy Spirit places the fire of the goodnews within all our hearts. May God grant that we never leaveit there, but instead ask God to empower us to continue tospread the message of reconciliation to all people, until theday when all that has been whispered is indeed proclaimedupon the housetops, and when the power of those who opposethe Gospel finally is at an end. Amen.

Fire in the bones

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 17
Issue 2 Health and Wholeness Article 13
11-1-1991
Fire in the bones
Matthew H. Diegel
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Diegel, Matthew H. (1991) "Fire in the bones," Consensus: Vol. 17 : Iss. 2 , Article 13.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol17/iss2/13
Fire in the Bones
Matthew H. Deigel
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church,
Windsor, Ontario
Text: Jeremiah 20:7-13
One of the questions most often asked me when people learn
of the small size of our congregation is, “Don’t you get discour-
aged?” My exact answer varies somewhat, depending on who
is asking the question and why they are doing so. However, its
content remains basically the same: “Yes, I do get discouraged
from time to time.” I become especially so when I get trapped
into the game of comparing our congregation with other ones,
whose spokespeople can make their parishes sound so perfect,
so lively, so beautiful. I also get discouraged when I read old
reports concerning our congregation and reahze that many of
the dreams of our charter members, and of those who have
joined later, have not yet been fully reahzed.
As I have also told many of you, during these times of dis-
couragement I also sometimes begin to wonder what I am doing
here: what does the future hold in store for us as part of the
family of God gathered in this place? Sometimes, I even feel
tempted at least to ask God to give us a break. For example, I
got angry with God in May and June when in rapid succession
the furnace, lawn tractor, and air conditioner broke down. I
did not think that was especially fair, laying all those burdens
upon us. Peter tells us that suffering builds character, but it
was getting pretty ridiculous! Our characters were already ten
feet tall! So also, in some of my daily devotions, I tell God that
Christ Lutheran Church, Windsor, Ontario, has been small for
long enough; it’s time for us to grow and I want to be part of
it!
182 Consensus
All of us, I suspect, from time to time become discoiuraged
and angry with the Creator. Such feelings are not only re-
lated to our congregational life, but to all the callings God has
given us. For example, mothers and fathers, including my own,
sometimes wonder aloud to God why they have received the
ministry to raise children. They inform God they are a bit
tired out, or that they axe not sure they are doing so good a
job. So also, many people discover that their jobs, to which
they beheved before that God had called them, have become
routine, boring, seemingly without purpose. They demand of
God why they are still here, instead of doing something more
exciting and fulfilhng. Then too, many persons complain to
the Creator that they are tired of living as faithful followers;
living and speaking God’s Word seems to get them nowhere.
The prophet Jeremiah, in our First Lesson, expresses a sim-
ilar, though far deeper, discouragement to God. True to his
calling he has cried out the terrible things that will befall the
Israelites, unless they turn back to God. However, no one has
listened. Indeed, the night before this lament, he had been
in the temple of Jerusalem performing his ministry, when the
son of the chief priest had had him arrested. Jeremiah was
beaten, and put in the stocks, left helpless outside during the
long night. Now, the prophet has had enough. He cries out
to God, “O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived;
thou art stronger than I, and thou hast prevailed. I have be-
come a laughingstock all the day; every one mocks me....The
word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all
day long.” Even his friends have forsaken him; he is finished.
The Hebrew word translated here as “deceived” more cor-
rectly means “seduced”, in the sexual sense. Thus Jeremiah is
saying that God may have succeeded in getting him to serve,
but only because of low-down trickery and enticement, because
of the promise of beautiful things to come. Now, however, the
prophet has seen through the divine deceit. The time of reck-
oning has arrived; it is almost as if Jeremiah is telling God
either to come to his rescue, or to let him alone.
How often do we teU God to leave us alone? When do we
inform the Creator that we want results or else we are through
being the good Christian, and will instead do what the rest of
the world seems to be enjoying so much? We realize that God
Fire in the Bones 183
I
has called every one of us through the Gospel to be followers;
however, at times, we wonder whether it’s all worth it.
We have no clear idea how long Jeremiah remained discour-
aged; it might have been a long time, or as short as our text,
written after the fact, seems to indicate. However, one thing
is certain. At some point in his wavering the prophet reahzed
that the call from God was still within him; God still had min-
istry for him to accomplish. Jeremiah describes this feeling as,
“If I say, ‘I wiU not mention him, or speah any more in his
name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up
in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I can-
not.” Inspite of his weariness, inspite of his discouragement,
Jeremiah knew he had to continue.
But how? How could he continue, after aU he had endured?
When runners in a marathon seem almost out of energy, the
best ones suddenly have a burst of speed, enough to get them
to the end of the race! Their training has enabled them to keep
some adrenalin in reserve, something there when they need it
the most. So also in Indy car racing the drivers can control
the gas consumption throughout the contest, and then use this
reserve in the final critical moments.
Likewise Jeremiah had a hidden reserve of energy, a force
which would enable him once more to speak the word of God
bravely, defying the taunts and the personal injuries he knew
he would have to endure. This comfort he also knew came
from God. The Creator, rather than being a seducer who had
abandoned the prophet as soon as he had agreed to his call,
had promised to remain with Jeremiah through everything he
encountered. Whatever Jeremiah had to endure, so too God;
whatever the prophet proclaimed, so did God. And, most im-
portantly, whenever Jeremiah doubted, there was God, promis-
ing justice, promising the final turning into reahty of the words
he spoke. Those doing evil could have their fun now; God and
Jeremiah would ultimately prevail.
So also, I believe, the Gospel reading appointed for this
Sunday [Matthew 10:24-33] gives us new strength and hope
to continue. Jesus reminds us that we are of infinite value to
God, worth far more than what others (and even what we our-
selves) may think of us. Always we are to walk erect, proudly
proclaiming the good news. God promises to remain with us.
184 Consensus
finally defeating all the forces that lead people to cHng to the
darkness, rather than to the promise of light and life.
The prophet Jeremiah shared his reason for continuing as
a servant of God in his writings preserved in Scripture. Many
of us, I beheve, also have our own images and readings which
serve to rejuvenate us, and to enable us to persevere. When I
become discouraged in my ministry, both in this congregation
and elsewhere, there are two pieces of art which spark within
me that burst of energy to continue, which remind me of the
timeliness of both God’s presence and of God’s promises. One,
a crucifix, is on the wall in my office. On it, the figure of
Jesus hangs, reminding me that through Jesus’ life and death
I am a forgiven sinner, a child of God, an heir of the coming
realm of God. Never need I despair of doing the work to which
the risen Lord has called all the baptized. At times the sense
of discouragement may seem overwhelming, but that crucifix
always serves to remind me that God has the final word, not
the world. I also reahze that God is calling me to pick up my
own cross once more, and to continue on the journey, passing
through both the good and bad that is to come, both in this
congregation and elsewhere.
The second artwork which provides me with strength to
continue conveys to me once more the promise of the eternal
presence of God in the lives of the saiints. When I was con-
firmed, my great-grandmother gave me a plaque depicting the
risen Christ with his hand outstretched in blessing. Whenever
I see or think of that image, I remember the promise of Jesus
to be with all of us to the end of the age, wherever we are doing
the Lord’s work. Others may attempt to disprove or ignore the
power and presence of the Creator, but this promise is to serve
to strengthen us, and to lead us in our journey as disciples.
Perhaps during the coming fellowship hour it would be a
good idea for us to share with each other what it is that pro-
vides us with the power to continue as God’s ministers. Who
knows: someone else’s secret means of coping may well also
become our’s. What we tell each other may well provide com-
fort and renewal for someone who does not have an image or
reading which is able to sustain them. At the very least during
the coming week all of us can think privately about this hidden
fire placed within all of us through Baptism. What does it feel
Fire in the Bones 185
like when we do not allow it to surface? How does God enable
us to use it?
So also, I encourage those of you so inclined to write your
discoveries down, as Jeremiah did. I don’t think I can promise
that it will become part of the Bible. However, it might become
part of our newsletter, or something I can share with a person
who comes to me for comfort.
In our Baptism, the Holy Spirit places the fire of the good
news within all our hearts. May God grant that we never leave
it there, but instead ask God to empower us to continue to
spread the message of reconciliation to all people, until the
day when all that has been whispered is indeed proclaimed
upon the housetops, and when the power of those who oppose
the Gospel finally is at an end. Amen.


https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1895&amp;context=consensus

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