For several reasons Norman McClean’s story, “A River Runs Through It” and the subsequent motion picture that was made from that novel, holds a revisited space in our home. I often think of the lines near the end of the book spoken by the elder Rev. McClean about helping others and as remembered by his narrating son:
“So it is,” he said, using an old homiletic transition, “that…more often than not, the part that is needed is not wanted. And even more often, we do not have the part that is needed.”
Perhaps, like me, you can resonate with these lines. Particularly this: “…more often than not the part that is needed is not wanted. And even more often, we do not have the part that is needed.”
A big AMEN to that!!
While the context for the Rev. McClean’s observation was in large part reflecting on his inability – in his mind at least – to have had any impact on altering the destructive life course choices of his youngest son, this feeling of possessing abilities that are not wanted or NOT HAVING the skills, resources, or knowledge of how to be of help is a pretty commonly felt and voiced sentiment.
I know such thoughts too often haunt me.
This sentiment of thinking that our help is not wanted or that we do not have what is needed to help is not to be confused with being busy. Indeed, there is most certainly a great demand for our volunteering in any number of community organizations. And, while COVID has certainly put the kibosh on a great many of those volunteer opportunities (particularly if you are over 65) those limitations will come to an end. We hope SOONER, not Later.
But that said, one can be overcome with a sense of absolute impotence to REALLY HELP when it comes to confronting the great needs and great brokenness which seems to be compounding exponentially in these days of division, anger, human destruction, suffering, social conundrum, and planetary threat.
Oh, to be sure, we can make a financial contribution to any number of endeavors in response to need. That is good. That is important. But there is always the great inner and nagging sense of “I wish I could do more. I wish I could really do SOMETHING.”
You and I cannot experience a day in which we are not overwhelmed by needs which exist that we cannot meet. We do not have the skills, opportunities, or abilities to make ANY difference.
Ukraine. Displaced millions. Threats of nuclear war and/or biological warfare. Politicians of division and outright, ON PURPOSE stupidity. Climate Change. Insurrections. Culture Wars. Efforts to diminish democracy in our state legislatures, ban books, restrict voting, control the outcome of – EVEN OVERTURN – free elections. On and on it goes. We see the need. We are all too aware that we are not particularly wanted. (Sure, we can write a letter to our elected officials which will be summarily ignored or receive patronizing “staff” response. Some days I am overcome by cynicism). Indeed, we are all too aware of being made to feel that we do not have what is needed!
In the midst of wrestling with such thoughts and the self-awareness of my unwanted help or the ability to help, what is of personal value and meaning in the face of a sense of overwhelming powerlessness?
One. Turn off the talking-head commentators on NPR, CNN, FOX NEWS, etc., and limit the intake of news to no more than an hour of your day. There is a great difference between keeping up on current events and being overwhelmed by the reporting of them.
Two. Cultivate a creative diversion of your attention. For instance, I am most grateful for time in my wood shop. Each of us can develop and improve some talent or skill. Or just make time to enjoy creative time or discovering some creative thing about ourselves we have never considered. Then, nurture that ability.
Three. Challenge and confront within your thinking the false notion that it is in our DOING THINGS OR WHAT WE DO, HOW MUCH WE MAKE OR HAVE MADE, WHAT TITLE OR LEVEL OF SOCIALLY PERCEIVED “SUCCESS” ACHIEVED THAT DEFINES US.
Four. Read, ponder, pray about and learn from Psalm 101:1-3 and Psalm 100:1-5.
Five. Repeat numbers 1 through 4.
I am always greatly enriched and strengthened by remembering what is affirmed in The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 34. In those verses Moses’ death is noted. God carries Moses to his final resting place. (God is our undertaker!) Then, the ending comment on the life that Moses lived is this: “his eyes were not dimmed and his natural force was unabated.”
I want to be like Moses!!!
Ultimately our sense of self is a spiritual strength. Our value is in the spirit God has implanted within us. We are never useless because our “use” is not the point. Our value is in knowing that the Creator who made us resides in us no matter what. And you know what? There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WE CAN “DO” ABOUT THAT, EITHER!
In our Creator’s eyes, our spiritual eyes never grow dim and our natural force goes on unabated. In the face of the world’s nonsense, brokenness, and all the things I cannot change, I trust in this truth.
It changes me.