Caught In The Spin Cycle!

Sermon Notes: March 12, 2010

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248 - (480) 895-8766

Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV

²⁸“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

A. Introduction

1. Man in dryer

a. In Nashville, Tennessee, there was a down and out fellow, who had taken a few too many drinks. He thought he could sleep it off in a local park, and so around one a.m. he lay down on a park bench. Then it started to rain. The man walked a long way till he could find some building open at that hour. He went into a Laundromat that was open twenty-four hours a day. Cold and shivering he dropped quite a few coins into a dryer, climbed in, somehow closed the door, and was being tumble-dried! He got more than he bargained for, and wanted to get out. In his confused and inebriated condition he could not find the door. So he began to cry out for help. Eventually someone came along and summoned the police. It was not a pretty sight! The man had bruises all over his body. He had burns on his face, arms, and legs. When the police finally pulled him out he was so disorientated that he walked into a wall. Now some would say, “He deserved it. This is what comes from excessive drinking or the use of drugs.” Others would say, “That would never happen to me.”

b. However, I believe we all know this man’s experience. Hopefully not because of drug use, but we all know what it is like to be caught in the “spin cycle” of life. Sometimes it is our own dumb fault. Sometimes it is just bad circumstances such as an illness or unforeseen financial woes. Sometimes it is the weight of work or family responsibilities. Sometimes it is the cruelty of other people. But all of us know what it is to be tumbled, beaten, and burned by life.

2. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11: 28-30

a. To all with a burden on their heart, today’s Scripture lesson offers hope. God loves each of us and reaches out to us like a loving father or a caring mother. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV)

b. All of us know what it is like to be caught in the spin cycle of life. Are you there today? My friends, God offers you help.

B. Take time off.

1. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11:28

a. Today’s Scripture says, “I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NRSV)

b. Everyone needs time off and that includes senior adults.

2. Killer Whales and Sea World

a. With the tragic death of a young woman at Sea World in Florida, killer whales have been in the news. Some may question the wisdom of using orcas to entertain people. After all killer whales are wild animals, fearsome predators, and not domesticated pets. These reasons alone may account for the current tragedy. However, I would suggest that the human imposed routine forced upon these animals is a mitigating factor, and I will support this statement by sharing something that my family observed about thirty years ago. Our children were young, still at home, and we vacationed in San Diego. We went to Sea World to see Shamu the Killer Whale. The arena was and still is quite impressive. The trainer gave a dramatic presentation concerning the whales and their training. He stated that each whale’s day is broken up into five parts for maximum effectiveness: work time, playtime, learning time, free time, rest time. Then the man pointed to a huge screen on which they projected images. We saw on this movie theater sized screen Shamu doing all sorts of marvelous stunts and tricks! Then Shamu was brought into the huge aquarium arena, and he would not perform! No matter what signals were given, the whale just swam around and did what he wanted to do. Ignoring the human’s schedule, the whale took time off. Fortunately that day the whale did not try to harm or do anything aggressive toward his trainers.

b. Killer whales are intelligent animals. I believe, they can become frustrated, irritated and depressed when they feel caught or stuck in daily routines. The same is true of human beings. We go through those same negative feelings when we get no break from our daily chores and routines whether they are forced upon us or self-imposed. And this is what I have observed: While most of us in Sun Lakes no longer have to go to the office every day, a lot of our seniors keep busier schedules than working folks! You’re on the golf course three times a week, you play bridge twice a week, you dance on Saturday nights, attend several service clubs, are active in your congregation, do mission-service projects to help others, visit with friends, and take numerous day trips. We’re a lot like WWI biplanes that have only two speeds: off and full throttle! Friends, if that’s your schedule, you need to take some time off. Then some of you because of health issues are caught up in unrelenting and repetitive schedules of doctor visits, other health related tasks, and hospital stays. Then there are those caregivers who get very few breaks as they care “24-7” for a spouse or family member. You do it out of love, but the tasks weary you and the burden is heavy. For the sake of your own health and the well being of your loved one you need a real break. Take time off.

C. Set priorities.

1. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11:29

a. Today’s Scripture says, “Learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29 NRSV) The Bible gives us so many good examples of people to learn from whom teach us the truths of God: Moses and the prophets. King David and other leaders of Israel. None of these were perfect, but all have something to teach us. Likewise from my faith heritage, I find wonderful examples of people in the Christian Scriptures.

b. One thing that all the great leaders had in common is that they set priorities. Moses did. First, God had called him to get Pharaoh to “let my people go.” Other priorities included bringing God’s people God’s Law, leading them to the Promised Land, and setting up leaders to help guide and organizing the Hebrews. In the New Testament Jesus focused his ministry upon the “sheep of Israel’ and called his followers to the task of reaching out to the world. One of the great secrets of leadership and living the most meaningful life has to do with time management. What are those things that are really important in your life? Those are the things to which you should be devoting the major portion of your time.

2. Alan Lakein, Time Management Expert

a. In Alan Lakein’s book, HOW TO GET CONTROL OF YOUR TIME AND LIFE, he asks the reader to consider this most basic question: “What would I be doing if I only had six months to live?” Ask yourself that question, and then compare your answer with your current life. Lakein did in fact ask many people this question. Most people, if they only had six months to live, wanted to spend time with family and friends. They, also, wanted to look up old friends, travel, read, write, get closer to God, and do something that really helped other people. Sadly, very few of them were already doing these things. Lakein discovered that when he asked the people how their actual lives compared with their “six-months-to-live” scenario? Answers included: “Far from it.” “Totally opposite.” “Zilch.” And “Ha!” Explanations included: “Spend too much of my life trying to succeed.” “Too busy living for tomorrow.” And “Too busy doing things that really don’t matter.”

b. Is God saying to you, “Evaluate your life. Does your schedule reflect your real priorities? Have you included time for rest, for family, for friends, for worship, for service and spiritual growth?

D. Trust God…. as your master!

1. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11:29

a. And finally the Scripture lesson says to us: ”Take my yoke upon you.” (Matthew 11:29 NRSV)

b. God calls us to take His yoke upon us. God is not only our Creator, but also our Lord and Master. He alone is worthy of that central place upon the throne of our hearts.

2. Pastor Doug Forsberg (from his book: ON FRAGILE WINGS)

a. Pastor Doug Forsberg received a call at 3 a.m. on a bone chilling January morning. The male voice on the other end was panic stricken. The caller was an occasional worshipper at Forsberg’s Church in Texas. The man was in jail. His panic was because his children ages two and four had been in an auto accident, and he did not know their condition. His female “roommate” who he had left in charge of his kids had been drinking, took the children for a drive and hit a telephone pole. Pastor Doug said he would come to the police station and try to find out about the children. When the pastor arrived the youngsters had already been taken to see their dad in his jail cell. The kids only had a few bumps and scrapes. Now the question was what to do with the children. Pastor Doug and his wife agreed to take temporary custody until the Grandparents could be located. The children, who did not have warm clothes on, were wrapped in blankets and whisked out to the pastor’s car. As they buckled the children in, the four year old looked up, grabbed Pastor Doug’s arm, and asked, “Can you dwive?” He replied, “Yes, little one, I can drive.”

b. A four year old girl and her sibling had been in the “spin cycle” of life. Their momma was a drug addict, who was in prison for selling drugs. Long before the law took her away she had emotionally abandoned her family. Now their daddy had been jailed for drunk and disorderly conduct. He had left his children in the care of his alcoholic girl friend. She proceeded to get intoxicated, took the kids for a car ride, and then crashed into a tree. Strange people in suits took the children to a hospital emergency room. From there they went to the police station, and now they were being put into a stranger’s car. It’s no wonder a frightened four year old asked, “Can you dwive?” Was there someone out there she could trust? Was there some adult out there willing to take responsibility as a parental role model?

c. At times you have been like this little girl. Life has been difficult. The burdens are heavy. Stop trying to do this thing called life by yourself. There is One you can trust. It’s time you put Him in charge. It’s time you cried out, “Lord, I’ll let you drive now.”

E. Conclusion

1. Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

a. Again hear the words: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV)

b. The Lord wants to help you. And if you’re in the midst of difficulties follow this specific advice:

2. Recap

a. Take time off.

b. Set priorities.

c. Trust God…. as your master!