Embodying Love and Action in Troubling Times

In a world filled with both overwhelming noise and aching silence, there is a deep longing within each of us for stillness, meaning, and connection. We live in a time that feels both apocalyptic and full of hope, a time of confusion and possibility, much like generations before us. The ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes reminds us that it is better to be a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, and that dreams become reality through action, not just words. This wisdom challenges us to consider whether we are known by what we say or by what we do, and whether we are loyal to wisdom and humility or to the empty authority of the past.

Our tradition teaches that spirituality and community are inseparable, that our choices are sacred, and that authentic connection flourishes where diversity is honored. The call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Divine is not just a slogan on our walls, but a living invitation to engage with the world’s pain and possibility. In this moment, as we face the realities of climate change, social inequality, and institutional distrust, we are asked: What is love requiring of us? How do we embody faith in love when the world is hurting and the structures around us seem broken?

History shows that our faith was born in times of upheaval, and that the paradox of love is that it is most needed—and most powerful—when the world is at its most fractured. Every generation faces its own set of challenges and “foolish kings,” but each also has the opportunity to do tremendous good. The call is not to retreat into abstraction or despair, but to accompany one another in hard times, to listen deeply, and to act with integrity and courage.

We cannot individually stop the storms or cool the heat, but together we can cultivate accountability, pressure our institutions, and build communities of care and resilience. Our legacy is one of creative response to crisis, and our future depends on the choices we make now—choices that will shape the world for generations to come. Let us keep fresh before us the moments of our highest resolve, listen to the wisdom of the young, and find strength to act with love, courage, and hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The tension between noise and silence in our lives reflects a deeper spiritual hunger for meaning and rest. In a world that often feels chaotic or overwhelming, it is essential to seek moments of stillness and to listen for the quiet wisdom that can guide our actions. This practice grounds us and helps us discern what truly matters, especially when the stakes feel high. [00:22]
• 2. Wisdom is not always found in the powerful or the established, but often in the humble and the young. The story from Ecclesiastes challenges us to examine our loyalties: do we follow the “old foolish kings” of tradition and authority, or do we honor the “poor wise youth” who bring fresh vision and courage? True transformation comes from action rooted in humility and openness, not from clinging to empty words or outdated power. [01:11]
• 3. Authentic spirituality is inseparable from community and justice. Our faith calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly—not as abstract ideals, but as lived commitments in the face of real-world crises like climate change and social inequality. The sacred is found in our interdependence and in our willingness to accompany one another through hardship, refusing to turn away from suffering or to retreat into comfortable detachment. [02:26]
• 4. The challenges of our time—climate crisis, institutional distrust, and social fragmentation—are daunting, but they also present opportunities for creative and collective action. History shows that love and justice are most needed in times of upheaval, and that communities of faith can be powerful agents of resilience and hope. Our response must be rooted in accountability, mutual aid, and a willingness to dream of a better world together. [06:25]
• 5. The choices we make now will shape the world for generations to come. Avoiding responsibility or waiting for others to act only perpetuates harm, especially for the most vulnerable. Instead, we are called to keep fresh before us the moments of our highest resolve, to listen to the wisdom of the young, and to act with courage and love—trusting that even small acts of care and justice can ripple outward and help build a more just and compassionate future. [18:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:22] - Living in a Time of Contradiction
• [00:52] - Wisdom from Ecclesiastes
• [01:49] - Words vs. Actions
• [02:09] - Spirituality, Community, and Sacred Choices
• [02:44] - Estrangement from Creation
• [03:35] - Honoring Wisdom Over Power
• [04:11] - What Is Love Asking of Us?
• [04:51] - The Paradox of Faith in Upheaval
• [06:03] - Opportunities in Bleak Moments
• [06:59] - The Call to Accompaniment
• [08:04] - Listening to Deep Wisdom
• [08:56] - The Climate Crisis: Facts and Urgency
• [10:46] - We Can Change: Global and Local Action
• [12:21] - Distrust in Institutions and the Call to Embodied Change
• [15:39] - Communities as Hubs of Care
• [17:16] - The Gift of Stillness and Listening
• [18:10] - Responsibility to Future Generations
• [19:34] - Mutual Aid, Ritual, and Dreamcasting
• [20:20] - Keeping Fresh Our Highest Resolve
• [21:12] - Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 4:13 (ESV) — > “Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.”

Micah 6:8 (ESV) — > “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Observation Questions

1. According to Ecclesiastes 4:13, what is the contrast between the “poor and wise youth” and the “old and foolish king”? What qualities are being valued?
2. In Micah 6:8, what three things does the Lord require of us? How are these described in the sermon as more than just words on a wall? [02:26]
3. The sermon mentions that “dreams become reality through action, not just words.” What examples from the sermon or your own experience illustrate this idea? [01:30]
4. The preacher talks about the tension between “overwhelming noise and aching silence.” What are some ways this tension shows up in our daily lives? [00:22]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might the wisdom of the young be more valuable than the authority of the old, especially in times of crisis? How does this challenge our usual ideas about leadership? [01:11]
2. The sermon says, “Our tradition teaches that spirituality and community are inseparable.” What does it mean for our faith if we try to separate the two? [02:09]
3. When the preacher asks, “What is love requiring of us?” in the face of climate change and social inequality, what kind of response is being called for? [04:11]
4. The sermon points out that “our legacy is one of creative response to crisis.” How does this shape the way we see our role in the world today? [16:09]

Application Questions

1. The preacher says, “We cannot individually stop the storms or cool the heat, but together we can cultivate accountability, pressure our institutions, and build communities of care and resilience.” What is one specific way you could join with others to address a challenge in your community? [11:48]
2. Think about a time when you were tempted to “retreat into abstraction or despair” instead of acting. What helped you move toward action, or what could help you next time? [06:59]
3. The sermon challenges us to “listen to the wisdom of the young.” Is there a young person in your life whose perspective you need to hear more? How could you make space for their voice this week? [12:03]
4. “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Divine” is described as a living invitation. What is one area of injustice or suffering you feel called to respond to right now? What is a first step you could take? [02:26]
5. The preacher says, “Our choices are sacred, and authentic connection flourishes where diversity is honored.” Where in your life do you see a need to honor diversity more fully? What would that look like in practice? [02:09]
6. The sermon encourages us to “keep fresh before us the moments of our highest resolve.” Can you remember a time when you felt especially committed to doing good? What would it look like to renew that commitment now? [20:55]
7. The preacher asks, “What is love asking of us?” How might you answer that question in your work, family, or neighborhood this week? [04:11]