The Imperial Hotel and 1923 Earthquake
In 1923, a powerful earthquake hit
Tokyo. Many buildings crumbled, but the Imperial Hotel stood firm. The
architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, had designed its foundation to absorb the
shockwaves, allowing it to withstand the quake. This story reminds us how
important it is to build on a strong foundation. When life’s storms hit—when
challenges and trials shake us—what will keep us standing? Jesus tells
us in Matthew 7:24-25 that the wise man builds his house on the rock,
and when the storms come, that house doesn’t fall.
Daniel
In today’s scripture, we see a
great role model who builds his life on God (Christ). At a young age, Daniel
was brought into the Babylonian court of the king and sent to the best
university in the land. There, he studied a completely foreign and pagan way of
viewing the world—history, religion, literature. He learned about myths,
astrology, sorcery, and magic—all things banned in Israel. Pagan priests and
counselors educated him in their wisdom and religion. The Babylonians made
every effort to assimilate Daniel. They even changed his name to Belteshazzar. Even
in those tough times, Daniel was not lost; he stood firms. How did Daniel keep the
faith? How did he keep strengthening his foundation in God?
Alone
Two pillars help him steady and kept
him strong. One is “alone,” and the other is “together.”
The first pillar is being “alone” with God. When storms came, Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine (v. 8). Daniel resolved that he would do God’s will. Daniel resolved that he would be alone with God. On one occasion, some of the Babylonian high officials tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct. They manipulated King Darius and made the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for the next 30 days shall be thrown into the lions’ den. When Daniel learned that the law was signed, he continued to pray three times a day just as he had done before (6:10).
How did Daniel keep strengthening his foundation in God? By being alone with God. In the same way, we need to be alone so we can listen to God. Our spiritual ancestors practiced spiritual disciplines of “silence and solitude.” We are so easily distracted by incessant noises and demands. We are preoccupied with our overloaded schedules. But silence and solitude are the remedy. Some of us are morning people, others are night owls. Whether it’s early in the morning or late night, we must take the time to be silent and be alone to listen to God.
Together
The second pillar is “together.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his classic Life Together warned: “Let the person
who cannot be alone beware of community. Let the person who is not in community
beware of being alone.” We are to be “alone together."[1]
Daniel was alone with God. But also, he was always in community, surrounded by trusted companions. He had three godly friends – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. When Daniel was determined not to eat the king’s food, he shared that vision with his friends. And those four discerned together and took action together. Again, when Daniel was asked to interpret the king’s dream, he urged his friends to join him in prayer, asking God’s mercy and revelation.
John Cassian, in the fifth century, tells the story of a hermit named Hero who lived in the desert for fifty years, completely devoted to God. Hero was so strict in his discipline that he refused to join other hermits for worship, fearing it would seem like he was relaxing his devotion. One day, Hero believed God was testing his faith by telling him to jump into a deep well, expecting an angel to save him. Sadly, he fell to the bottom and was badly injured. His fellow monks rescued him and tried to convince him that he hadn’t heard God's voice, but Hero refused to believe them. Even as he lay dying, he was so stubborn and believed that he had obeyed God. His pride was too great.[2]
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
How can we withstand storms and earthquakes
in life? On our solid foundation, Christ Jesus, two pillars are to be built – “alone”
and “together.” Joyce and I didn’t intend it at first, but our family road trip
to Chicago ended up being a time of church family reunion. On the way to
Chicago, we contacted one member of the church where we had served to stay overnight.
That member contacted others, so when we got there, about 40 people were waiting
and greeting us. Many of them were our small group members. Ten years had passed,
but we didn’t feel awkward. As soon as we met, we were drawn to each other
because we shared our lives together through thick and thin. As a small group,
we prayed together, we did missions together, we withstood storms together.
John Fawcett (1739-1817) was a pastor in a rural area in England. He and his family were well connected to the congregation. But then, one prestigious church in London extended a call. John and his wife Mary decided to accept. The announcement was made to the church, and the farewell sermon was preached, and the day of departure arrived. The parishioners came to say good-bye. On the wagon, John and Mary changed their minds and decided to stay. They remained and served that church and community for 54 years. Based on his experience, John wrote a hymn that became one of the most beloved hymns of all time, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds:”[3]
Blest
be the tie that binds
Our
hearts in Christian love;
The
fellowship of kindred minds
Is
like to that above.
I don’t know about you, but for me,
when I think about the future of our church and the UMC – 10 or 20 years later,
I feel a sense of urgency. I feel our church is facing storms. How can we
weather the storms? Although there is no easy answer, I believe we are to be “alone
together.”
We are launching our new small groups this fall (in the middle of September) – more welcoming and new people-friendly groups meeting at homes led by lay facilitators. The main goal of our small group ministry is to help connect people to God (“alone”) and to each other (“together”). There’s a sign-up sheet (“morning or evening groups”) on the back table. You’re invited. Bring a friend.
Alone, we listen to God. Together, we stand with God.
[1] Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality:
It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature (p.
63). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
[2]
Ibid., 64.
[3] History of Hymns: "Blest Be the Tie That Binds,"
Discipleship Ministries,
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-blest-be-the-tie-that-binds
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