The Patina of Real Freedom
Author: Mark Fenstermacher
April 30, 2021
Bronze and copper, after they are exposed to the elements long enough, take on a green film which is referred to as a “patina.” I used to think the presence of this patina indicated a need for cleaning or a sign that something was well past its prime. But I’ve come to understand that this thin surface layer, which develops because of use, age or chemical reaction, is a beautiful thing. Merriam-Webster explains that the patina is “a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use.”
In our series on emotionally healthy spirituality, we’ve talked about those moments in life when our world is turned upside-down. The very idea of faith and God may make no sense. Prayers seem like an exercise in futility. Our unspoken assumption that faithfulness to God will bring us a successful, “put together” life is cracked wide open.
As painful as those are, the Bible reminds us that often the dark night of the soul can be a painful experience that sets us free to be more fully real. In fact, the painful moments in the wilderness can actually turn out to free us.
Jacob is in the wilderness and God gives the “heel grabber” a new name and identity. Elijah the prophet is overwhelmed by self-pity and despair, hiding in a cave in the wilderness, terrified of the assassins sent after him by Queen Jezebel, and God leads him out to a new adventure. Murderous Saul is stopped in his tracks on his way to Damascus, and in his 3-day experience of blindness realizes that he has had life-backwards. That moment of disorientation and crisis leads to a new life with Christ.
Getting free is never a painless process. Getting free isn’t for the faint of heart. Getting free isn’t something that happens without the leading of the Spirit and the support of honest friends.
Peter Scazerro says that people who have grown more real through the wall that is the dark night of the soul can be recognized by their brokenness (they judge others less and are less easily offended), the appreciation for the unknown mystery that is God (they don’t know it all and are open to new truth about God), their willingness to wait on God and let God work, and a greater detachment from the need to own things, collect money, be popular, and be recognized as successful.
Kris Kristofferson wrote that “freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”
The tough times we hate, the moments when we struggle, can often free us and bring us a new level of real if we trust God with them. We live through all sorts of experiences and acquire the beautiful surface appearance of “(someone) grown beautiful especially with age or use.”
May we trust God to be at work for good (Romans 8) as we go through the wall.
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Join us this Sunday in worship at 8:30 (Classic Service) or 11 (Modern or Non-traditional) as the Reverend Doug Anderson returns to First UMC to preach the morning message. Many of us remember Doug’s time here as Lead Pastor as a time of vitality and growth. A pastor, nationally-known consultant, author and Purdue fan, we know Doug will have a word from God that will bless you.
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As we begin a significant upgrade to our technical resources (lights, cameras, sound and computers) for on-line worship, you may like knowing that since the first of the year we have had just over 1,200 persons join us for on-line worship. This is an approximate figure. If more than one person in a household views the service, then the number of people we might have reached on-line since the start of 2021 might easily reach over 2,000 persons. We expect that we will continue to reach many persons on-line for Christ who may not be able to join us for the blessing of in-person worship. So we are seeking to have the best tools in our technical toolkit to provide high quality worship and Bible study for our on-line congregation.
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It is a blessing to serve as one of your pastors. I find ministry in the now to be a joy and I am leaning into what God will do tomorrow.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Mark
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