Lately it seems the entire world battles some form or degree of anxiety and depression. The demands of our society, the complexity of relationships, the opinions, needs and actions of the people around all us all contribute to the reason why so many struggle with so much. To escape the pressure and desperation we do not need to actually step back; we do not need to step aside. We need to step into the grace God outlined for us. God anticipated that we would battle these emotional, societal, familial and physical pressures. We need only look into scripture to discover how He prepares us to endure them, to evade them even.
This sermon comprises just two verses: Acts of the Apostles 2:46-47
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
For within these two verses, the apostles exemplified for us what it means to live with day-to-day purpose, contentment and happiness. Although there were many elements of life the apostles experienced that we likely never will, the nature of life was the same. They experienced fear and vulnerability, pressure and demand, weakness and fear, injustice and disruption. Yet they persevered; they lived and loved and changed the landscape of their generation and our own. Here's how they did it.
- CONTINUED DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD
Determine and establish your values and principles and pursue them exclusively. Let your every decision and behavior reflect what you have chosen. It isn't always easy to remain adhered to specific ideals but steadfast effort will prevent the down-spiral that results in emotional chaos and spiritual turmoil.
The apostles woke up everyday with a mission; to uphold their faith and to establish it in the world. God distributed different gifts and assignments to each of His children; you may not be an apostle but whatever your field is, do it well, consistently. Perhaps you're thinking: "that's well and good for the apostles, they knew what they wanted, that at least makes it easier to pursue." But essentially their mission was widely open-ended. There we no clear or ordered steps to follow. Like us, they had to strip their overall purpose down to something daily achievable. Stripped down, their purpose in life was to live each day learning to love people well. No matter what our job or profession is, a child of God has that same baseline: to learn to love people well. With our words, with our work and with our will.
- HOUSE TO HOUSE EATING BREAD WITH GLADNESS
No matter what house they were in, they disciples were consuming bread. Think not of literal bread but of the bread of life: the word of God, the life of Jesus. Think not of a literal house, no matter what roof your are under, bring your faith into that place. Bring your gratitude for the people within in, for the God surrounding it.
Every relationship, friendship, and encounter with another person is a house, a place to break bread. A place to unite faith and life. God's word teaches us how to cultivate the conditions of life we hope to live within. The apostles ate bread with gladness everywhere they went not for the sake of eating but for the purpose of exercising their faith everywhere they went. No matter where they were or who they with, they invited God and subsequently His grace into that space.
They were glad because they traveled daily within the spirit of God. God's presence in a place changes the whole atmosphere. God's will in a relationship changes its trajectory. God's authority over a situation changes its outcome. So the apostles brought that bread, gladly, from house to house.
Whenever we find ourselves in a distressing emotional state, we must ask ourselves whether we are consuming the bread or neglecting it. Because the bread of life is hope. The bread of life is peace. The bread of life sustains us, perseveres us, strengthens us. Sometimes it doesn't change the place or situation but it always changes us. It always changes how to look at it, how we deal with it. It always shifts the balance of power to our side.
- SIMPLICITY OF HEART
Discover the value in the simple but fundamental elements of life. Your relationship with God is itself a marvel. A blessing. A reason for elation and wonder and peace. Focus your effort on the acquisition of compassion and love, wisdom and honesty. Pursue perspective rather than power, for perspective is power. Pursue wisdom rather than wealth, for wisdom is wealth.
Life is riddled with jewels others ignore and pass by in order to obtain lesser things. The apostles had simplicity of heart; their pursuit was one of obtainable things: friendship, encouragement, compassion. A simple heart is a good heart, a fair heart, a free heart. The complications of life come when the heart is no longer simple; the complications arrive then the heart desires things not good or right or meant for it. Complications arise when the heart plots and hates and hurts.
Life really is as simple as trusting God. He leads, we follow. He plans, we allow those plans to unfold in our life. He decides and our lives benefit from His decisions. The simple hearts knows that God is working the details into its favor, and it therefore stresses not.
- PRAISING GOD
We actually are the ones who benefit most from consistent acknowledgement of the majesty of God. He is present and active in every minute of our lives but we must take the time to perceive that. If we do not designate time to perceive Him, that time passes by ignorant of His presence, of His instruction specific that that time. What occurs during those times are consequently affected by the absence of our faith and exultation of our Father.
So much of life distracts us from the most important relationship of our lives: our relationship with God. We pass right over Him; we remain ignorant of His instruction, opinion and comfort if we focus constantly on external things. Material things. Societal things. We give our attention and awe to things and people, objects of our desire or hate. But that time and attention can be devoted to God; the one who deserves it. With our life and mind focused on Him, on righteousness and spirit, we build a new framework for our day. A more constructive framework. We set up the kingdom within that day.
- FAVOR WITH ALL PEOPLE
Of all that the disciples exemplified, this is likely the most difficult. It's easy if people seem to deserve our favor. But when people are harsh or unfair, we have to rely on God to settle that score. Your attention serves better elsewhere. Hebrews 10:30 reiterates the statement God made in Deuteronomy, He is the avenger. Our avenger.
The apostles lived with an effort to relate to people, to understand people, to appreciate people. God wants each of us to endeavor to do the same. Even-temperament is a process; our emotions are not invulnerable to meanness and therefore our reactions will never be perfect. But it changes a life to wake up each day within that life with a valiant effort to be kind.
People hurt us, sometimes. It is not God's command that we surround ourselves with hurtful people; but it is His hope that we will not succumb to their behavior. Sometimes the favor we give the people who've hurt us the most is to resist the urge to retaliate. We are not commanded to associate with people who have corrupt principles (indeed separate from evil!); we are not commanded to trust everyone... but we are commanded not to be like them when their behavior is cruel.
- ENABLING GOD
The most important decision we can make each day is to decide to enable God throughout each of those 24 hours. In every interaction, conversation, action, and thought enable God. Volunteer yourself to be an instrument of His will that day; in prayerful conversation invite Him to position you in situations where you can serve. Enable God to reach and gather with your arms and your hands, through your compassion.
Do you believe in God? Do you love God? If so, you must realize that you are not subject to anxiety and depression. They have no permanent hold on you. No claim on your life. You belong to God; His power is your power over fear and sadness. He has a daily plan to draw you out of darkness and ever deeper into the light. Proclaim God's authority over whatever evil thinks it has a hold on you.