February 15, 2009

The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

“Naaman’s Struggle…Our Struggle”

2 Kings 5:1-14

Rev. Dr. R. Tim Meadows

Naaman’s life was a mess! Despite his career success and his position of importance in society, Naaman’s body was failing him. The awful disease he had contracted would cause him great difficulty and eventually lead to his demise, but before it did that, it threatened to make him a social outcast, it threatened to change his family life, his relationships to his friends and society, and likely his economic security. In a desperate lark, Naaman takes the advice of a relatively unknown young girl, who has what seems to be a ridiculous suggestion, but he is desperate and so he seeks permission to implement her plan. Permission granted, Naaman is further confused when the remedy takes a ridiculous and distasteful turn. He is desperate --- there seems to be no good solution to his life struggle!

Does any of this sound familiar? Naaman’s struggle is often our struggle. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of this compelling biblical story is the simplistic common misinterpretation it receives. We are told that Naaman’s healing was delayed and almost missed because of his initial reluctance to do as the prophet directed, and further we are reminded to do as we are told quickly, so that God will bless us and not be angry with our questioning disobedience which threatens to bring the exact opposite of blessing. The problem with this interpretation is that it provides no insight to those who are engaged in a life struggle like Naaman, and it suggests that the only way to receive relief from God is through the immediate fulfillment of some strange mechanical formula. Does that really sound like a God who wants to help us to you? Does that really sound like a God who hurts when we hurt?

If we jettison the traditional interpretation of this story what do we do with it? How does it become useful, meaningful in our faith journey? What does it tell us about life, about God?

One clear theme from the story is that in life; it is not what you know but who you know that matters. Put more simply, Naaman learns in this experience that above all else relationships matter. Despite his position and apparent success Naaman discovers that when struggle comes it is the people around you who will help you. His struggle finds him turning to an unknown young girl, two powerful kings, a demanding but helpful prophet, and ultimately to God. Through all these people, he is able to emerge whole and grateful! Sound familiar? How often do we find that life’s struggles are no respecter of what we have or who we are, but they are lived through, mitigated, and overcome by who we know, by who will walk with us, by family, friends, neighbors, and God. Who do you know that matters to your struggle? To whose struggle do you matter?

Another theme from this story is that it is not what you have, but what you are willing to do in the midst of the struggle that matters. Naaman found himself in possession of power and resources that were impressive, but until he began to deliberately seek help his condition remained unchanged. Naaman found relief in seeking help and in doing what he could to help himself. Unpleased by some of the things he was asked to do, Naaman nevertheless realized that his wholeness in this struggle depended on action. Sound familiar? Have you ever extended a life struggle because of inaction? Have you ever needed help from others you could not get? Has resolution to a life struggle ever surprised you while you were simply doing what you knew how to do? What do you know to do in your life struggle? Who do you need to help you? What do you know to do in the life struggles of others? Who do you need to help?

Finally, it is not what you expect, but what actually happens in life struggles that matters. Naaman’s story is a story of frustrated expectations. From the onset of the struggle itself, to the path he took to negotiate such, he is constantly confronted with unexpected challenges. Sound familiar? How often have unexpected challenges crept into your life struggle and seemed to delay the certain resolution you were pursuing? How often have unexpected, seemingly ridiculous requirements crept into your struggle and seemed to delay the certain resolution you were pursuing? What frustrated expectations are you dealing with in your life struggle today? Can you believe that God WILL bring resolution that matters?

May God give us the grace to depend on each other, to do what we know how to do, and to trust God’s timing and ultimate resolution of our life struggles! AMEN!