Immanuel Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Missouri Synod3000 W. Main Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006
269-345-8090
Divine Service with Holy Communion
each Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service at 6:00 p.m.
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Pastor's Letter -- Pastor's Notes I like LinkedIn as a social media "space". I hear more than a few comments that "I am never on Facebook!" and that has come to be true. I get articles from the former-of which I tend to read a few. I usually log on to Facebook on Friday mornings-read down the posts-chuckle a bit-but rarely post anything. I guess I am not just as "social media" savvy as I would have guessed. This leads me in to the theme of an article from LinkedIn: What Happened To Downtime? The Extinction Of Deep Thinking And Sacred Space. (Credits will follow the article). The author makes a basic point-that human beings have a basic desire to be connected socially. He asserts that the desire to be connected is a basic "felt need" directly following the need for physical security. A separate article I read once described how human beings actually lose their grasp of reality if isolated for too long. The long-term survival of American POWs in Vietnam is attributed to their ability to "tap" on their walls in code and remain in communication with each other. I would validate our need to "be together." The problem as cited in the article is plain: because of our current technologies we can remain connected at all times; pretty much no matter where we are. This leads to this insight: "Our insatiable need to tune into information--at the expense of savoring our downtime--is a form of "work" (something I call "insecurity work") that we do to reassure ourselves." Why? Because silence is scary and we don't like being alone. Here is the core problem in two parts: 1) "Because space is scary. During these temporary voids of distraction, our minds return to the uncertainty and fears that plague all of us. To escape this chasm of self-doubt and unanswered questions, you tune into all of the activity and data for reassurance." And 2) "We thrive on friendship, family, and the constant affirmation of our existence and relevance. Our self-esteem is largely a product of our interactions with others. It is now possible to always feel loved and cared for, thanks to the efficiency of our "comment walls" on Facebook and seamless connection with everyone we've ever known." So what is the consequence? It is the loss of "sacred space." The author uses this in a more abstract way than a religious one-but it comes to the same affect-we also need time apart to think (for business) and to pray (for our spiritual life). I like that this article is written because the author asserts that non-profit managers and executives are not getting enough "sacred space" to be effective at their jobs. That they are losing the times of pause and reflection when they can discover the "aha" moments of their lives. As a leader of a "non profit" (some days five of them) I know exactly what he means. How many pastors have become overwhelmed with busyness and "to do" lists and lost their own "sacred space?" (And Sunday Divine Service is not it.) How many of you struggle for that moment of quiet and peace? Of course, I can propose a solution that the author cannot: an hour and a half on Sunday Mornings where no one can get to you (except me and Christ!) You may have noticed that we have intentional times of quiet in the service, especially before the Distribution of Holy Communion. Churches that "broadcast" their services cannot afford to allow "dead air". How odd, because in my mind the quiet space in worship is actually "life restoring air!" I can also offer another reliable solution to "sacred space"-a regular time of quiet devotion with the Bible, a Book of Prayer or other devotional reading. It is amazing what a habit of fifteen minutes makes in a day. Indeed, there would be many more "aha" moments in your life. Let me return to the potential sins of "insecurity work" and the need for constant validation and affirmation. I believe these sins reflect the anxieties of life in our time and place. These are "holes" that we try to patch with other "holes"-In other words, more work cannot fill a hole of insecurity (neither can alcohol, drugs or any other addictive behavior). Only healthy relationships built on the foundation of the One Healthy Relationship (our lives in Christ) can reduce and dismiss the insecurities of our lives. Neither can other humans (even our spouses) provide the ultimate validation and affirmation of our lives. The hole in our hearts can only be filled with love and human beings can only love us with and through their own sin. Only Christ can love us completely in a way that can fill the ultimate hole in our heart-- because He loves us unconditionally and perfectly. How do we know this? Here are Sacred Words for your next Sacred Space: "God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins." (1John 4:9-10) You may notice that we are not in a hurry at Immanuel when we are in Worship. There are few technologies present except those necessary to be seen and heard (so that the Word can be communicated.) We have big hymns and "long" pauses-the pace is comparatively gentle compared to the motion (and commotion) of our daily work lives. I think that's good. I want you to enjoy your "sacred space" at Immanuel. You might discover an "aha" moment. If it's about work that will be fine-if it's about Christ that will be better. Come, let's have some "down time" with our friend Jesus-oh, and I am sure He is on Facebook and LinkedIn, too. In Christ, Pastor David H. Sidwell 
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