Shall I begin with a little Shakespeare?

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?
-William Shakespeare, Hamlet

I think one of the reasons why this man’s works are so famous is that he addresses the human condition quite adeptly. For the record, Shakespeare, and anyone like him, is merely a rip-off artist in light of Holy Scripture. What I mean to say, before I continue with this blog, is that true wisdom regarding humanity begins and ends with the Lord.

In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
-Colossians  2:2-3

Ok, with that disclaimer out of the way, allow me to continue…

I’ve had a few restless, nigh sleepless, nights as of late. Usually, whenever I wake up in the middle of the night it’s because I’ve got something heavy on my heart. For example, the cause may be an important decision looming over me or that someone I care about is suffering. There are a number of reasons why this happens to me (to you, also, perchance?). Do I often chastise myself because, if I’m being honest, the loss of sleep is self-inflicted? Yup. Should I heap that on the pile of concerns as yet another reason to stare at the ceiling at 2AM? Nope.

I’m human. I’m flawed. I’m weak. I’m normal, it turns out. Imagine that?

Am I trying to make excuses for myself? No. Do I understand what the Word of God has to say about faith and how a righteous man shall live by it? Of course. Does that change the simple fact that I sometimes lose sleep? No. But given that faith is God’s to give, it does help with showing myself a little grace. God knows there are enough highfalutin Christians out there who would do everything in their power to rob me of such a God-given right. To them I say, “Go stand at the back of the long line of people in my life who wish to judge me…and while you’re back there, go read 1 Corinthians 4:3-4.” To the rest of you, I say, “Come join me in being human.”

I’ve seen some really good people depressed lately and it has been upsetting me. Some of them are in my own congregation. I certainly know what’s been coming from my pulpit, for example, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Why does this not suffice in delivering them? I suppose I could turn up the volume as I preach but would that really help? I don’t think so. Hammering someone too hard may induce shame instead of deliverance.

Be empathetic. Jesus was, so much so that He died in our place because we could never be anything other than weak, flawed human beings. Should we be riddled with guilt or gratitude? What should our focus be?

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:6-8

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-Hebrews 4:15-16

If Jesus is empathetic to humanity, shouldn’t we also be, starting with ourselves? We fail most of the time because we’ve decided to throw in the towel and give in to sin, being overwhelmed by it (James 1:12-15). We lack perfect faith, so we stumble. Here’s an important question: are we more likely to conquer temptation because we are inspired by gratitude for God’s grace and mercy or because we are riddled with shame for merely being human?

Don’t forget to be human. You’ll be more likely to remember God’s mercy and be delivered as a result.

Being human means understanding sleepless nights. It means approaching the throne of grace on your knees and hearing the Lord’s voice:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30

If you ever need to get back on a regular sleep schedule, dwell on the simple fact that God loved you so much He decided to save you (John 3:16). Dwell on the fact that He is merciful and patient (Psalm 145:8-9). Dwell on the fact that He wants to encourage you, not destroy you (Jeremiah 29:11-13). If that’s God’s viewpoint of you, then what ought yours be? Here’s a good place to start:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

If you ever struggle just ‘being human’, read Psalm 77. Be encouraged by the honesty in the psalmist’s heart and his confession before the Lord about his own depression and lack of sleep.

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I consider the days of old, the years long ago.

I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:

“Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.

The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.

The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
-Psalm 77

I’m thinking that it’s sufficient to just be “me”. My advice is that you be “you”. And let’s allow each other the space, abiding in Jesus’ example, to be ourselves. If one of us is flailing, may we reach out a loving hand instead of reminding them that they lack faith. Let’s not be aggressive like that, it’s ungodly and unbecoming.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
-Romans 12:3-5

Don’t forget to be human.

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins