Embracing Exile: Finding Jesus in Unlikely Places

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves in situations that feel like exile, much like the Israelites. These moments, though challenging, can lead to profound blessings for us and those around us. Reflecting on the words of Henri Nouwen, we are reminded of the importance of introspection as we age. Nouwen's poignant question, "Has growing older brought me closer to Jesus?" challenges us to evaluate our spiritual growth and alignment with our true selves. Despite outward success, Nouwen felt a spiritual void, prompting him to seek a new path. This led him from the prestigious halls of Harvard to a community of individuals with significant cognitive and physical challenges, a move inspired by Jesus' words to Peter about being led where one would rather not go.

This narrative invites us to reconsider our understanding of maturity. The world teaches us that maturity is about independence and control, but Jesus offers a different vision: maturity is the willingness to be led by God, even to places we would rather avoid. This requires us to relinquish control and embrace humility, allowing others to become part of our story and vice versa. Nouwen's experience with Bill, a member of his new community, illustrates the beauty of shared journeys. Bill's presence and participation in Nouwen's speaking engagement in Washington, D.C., transformed the event, highlighting the power of doing life together.

As we navigate our own stories, we are encouraged to embrace community and the presence of Jesus in our interactions. Whether in conversations, phone calls, or fleeting encounters, we have the opportunity to share our stories and enrich them by doing life together. By embracing the places we would rather not go, we find Jesus there, and in doing so, we bless others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace the Journey of Exile: Just as the Israelites' exile led to unforeseen blessings, our own journeys through difficult times can bring about growth and blessings for ourselves and others. These experiences challenge us to trust in God's plan and find purpose in our struggles. [01:32]

2. Reevaluate Spiritual Growth: Henri Nouwen's reflection on aging prompts us to consider whether our spiritual journey is bringing us closer to Jesus. Outward success can mask inner spiritual emptiness, urging us to seek deeper connection with God. [02:05]

3. Redefine Maturity: True maturity, according to Jesus, is the willingness to be led by God to places we might not choose ourselves. This requires humility and a readiness to relinquish control, trusting in God's guidance. [04:21]

4. The Power of Community: Nouwen's experience with Bill demonstrates the transformative power of doing life together. By including others in our stories, we create richer, more meaningful experiences that reflect the presence of Jesus. [06:32]

5. Find Jesus in Unlikely Places: By embracing the places we would rather not go, we encounter Jesus and have the opportunity to bless others. Our willingness to follow God's lead, even into discomfort, opens the door to profound spiritual growth. [10:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:32] - Journey into Exile
- [02:05] - Questioning Spiritual Growth
- [03:18] - Realization of Spiritual Death
- [03:49] - A New Path with God
- [04:21] - Redefining Maturity
- [05:13] - God's Call to Unfamiliar Places
- [05:44] - The Importance of Community
- [06:32] - Doing Life Together
- [07:13] - Sharing the Story
- [08:07] - Bill's Impactful Presence
- [09:01] - Bill's Moment to Speak
- [09:49] - The Power of Togetherness
- [10:04] - Jesus in Our Gatherings
- [10:49] - Embracing Unwanted Paths

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 21:18-19 (NIV): "Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' statement to Peter in John 21:18-19 suggest about the nature of spiritual maturity and leadership? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of being led to places we might not choose ourselves? [04:21]
2. How did Henri Nouwen's move from Harvard to a community of individuals with cognitive and physical challenges illustrate the concept of being led where one would rather not go? [03:49]
3. In the sermon, how did Bill's participation in Nouwen's speaking engagement in Washington, D.C., demonstrate the power of community? [06:32]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of exile, as experienced by the Israelites, parallel the personal journeys of exile we might face in our own lives? What blessings can arise from these challenging experiences? [01:32]
2. Reflect on Henri Nouwen's question, "Has growing older brought me closer to Jesus?" How does this question challenge individuals to evaluate their spiritual growth and alignment with their true selves? [02:05]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the world's view of maturity versus Jesus' vision of maturity? How does this contrast impact our understanding of spiritual growth and leadership? [04:49]

Application Questions:
1. Consider a time when you felt like you were in a personal "exile." How did that experience challenge you to trust in God's plan, and what unexpected blessings emerged from it? [01:32]
2. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. How can you ensure that your outward success does not mask inner spiritual emptiness? What steps can you take to deepen your connection with God? [02:05]
3. In what areas of your life are you being called to relinquish control and allow God to lead you to places you might not choose yourself? How can you embrace this journey with humility? [04:21]
4. How can you actively include others in your story, as Nouwen did with Bill, to create richer, more meaningful experiences that reflect the presence of Jesus? [06:32]
5. Identify a situation or relationship where you might be resisting God's lead. How can you embrace this "unwanted path" and find Jesus in that place, thereby blessing others? [10:49]
6. Think about a recent interaction or conversation. How can you intentionally share your story and enrich it by doing life together with others, as encouraged in the sermon? [10:04]
7. How can you cultivate a sense of community in your daily life, ensuring that you are not living in isolation but are actively engaging with others in meaningful ways? [05:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Blessings of Exile
In life, we often encounter situations that feel like exile, much like the Israelites experienced. These challenging moments, though difficult, can lead to profound blessings for us and those around us. By trusting in God's plan, we can find purpose in our struggles and grow spiritually. Just as the Israelites' exile led to unforeseen blessings, our own journeys through difficult times can bring about growth and blessings for ourselves and others. These experiences challenge us to trust in God's plan and find purpose in our struggles. [01:32]

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge that feels like an exile. How can you trust in God's plan and seek His purpose in this situation today?


Day 2: Seek Deeper Spiritual Growth
Henri Nouwen's reflection on aging prompts us to consider whether our spiritual journey is bringing us closer to Jesus. Outward success can often mask inner spiritual emptiness, urging us to seek a deeper connection with God. As we age, introspection becomes crucial in evaluating our spiritual growth and alignment with our true selves. Nouwen's poignant question, "Has growing older brought me closer to Jesus?" challenges us to evaluate our spiritual growth and alignment with our true selves. [02:05]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey over the past year. What steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Jesus?


Day 3: Redefine Maturity Through Humility
True maturity, according to Jesus, is the willingness to be led by God to places we might not choose ourselves. This requires humility and a readiness to relinquish control, trusting in God's guidance. The world often teaches us that maturity is about independence and control, but Jesus offers a different vision. By embracing humility, we allow others to become part of our story and vice versa, creating richer, more meaningful experiences. [04:21]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to relinquish control. How can you practice humility and allow God to lead you in this area today?


Day 4: Experience the Power of Community
Nouwen's experience with Bill demonstrates the transformative power of doing life together. By including others in our stories, we create richer, more meaningful experiences that reflect the presence of Jesus. Community is essential in our spiritual journey, as it allows us to share our stories and enrich them by doing life together. Whether in conversations, phone calls, or fleeting encounters, we have the opportunity to share our stories and enrich them by doing life together. [06:32]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who might need encouragement. How can you reach out and support them today?


Day 5: Discover Jesus in Unlikely Places
By embracing the places we would rather not go, we encounter Jesus and have the opportunity to bless others. Our willingness to follow God's lead, even into discomfort, opens the door to profound spiritual growth. This narrative invites us to reconsider our understanding of maturity. The world teaches us that maturity is about independence and control, but Jesus offers a different vision: maturity is the willingness to be led by God, even to places we would rather avoid. [10:49]

Matthew 25:40 (ESV): "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

Reflection: Consider a place or situation you have been avoiding. How can you embrace this path and look for Jesus in it today?

Quotes


Because uh from the beginning with the people of Israel when you think about them going into Exile and because they went into Exile things happened to them and in them and through them that bless the world in ways that the world could never have been blessed if they did not go into Exile and somehow all of our stories involve a kind of journey into Exile. [00:01:22]

As I enter into my 50s and was able to realize the unlikelihood of doubling my years, I came face to face with the simple question: did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus? That's a wonderful question. If you're not a person of Faith, you might even just simply think, has growing older brought me closer to becoming the person that I know I most want to be? [00:01:58]

After 25 years of priesthood, Nouwen writes, I found myself praying poorly, living somewhat isolated from other people, and very much preoccupied with burning issues. Everyone said I was really doing well, but something inside me was telling me that my success was putting my own soul in danger. [00:02:26]

I began to ask myself whether my lack of contemplative prayer, my loneliness, my constantly changing involvement in what seemed most urgent were signs that the spirit was gradually becoming suppressed. It was very hard for me to see clearly, and although I never spoke about hell or only jokingly, I woke up one day with the realization that I was living in a very dark place. [00:02:48]

He began to ask God, God if you have another story for me, another Journey for me, another way for me, please let me know. And God did, and it was to leave Harvard. He had spent his life at places like Yale and Notre Dame and Harvard among the brightest and the best and go live in a community among people with very very serious cognitive and physical challenges. [00:03:35]

The world says this is what the world says about your story: when you were young you were dependent, couldn't go where you wanted, but when you grow old you'll be able to make your own decisions, you'll be able to go your own way, you'll be able to control your own destiny. But Jesus has a different vision of maturity. It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go. [00:04:51]

So that's the question for today: am I willing to put God and not me in charge of my story? Where is God calling me to go today where I would rather not go? And Henry ends up moving into this community of people who are thought to be at the bottom of the functional ladder where he had always lived on the top rung. [00:05:13]

One of the instructions of Jesus that he learned, and this will be part of the journey for you and me in our story today, is how often Jesus would say when he would send his followers out, go together, go two by two, or he would say where two or three of you are gathered together, I'm there in the midst of you. [00:05:38]

I opened by saying I had not come alone but was very happy that Bill had come with me. Then I took my handwritten text and began my address. At that moment I saw that Bill had left his seat, walked up to the podium, and planted himself right behind me. It was clear that he had a much more concrete idea about the meaning of doing it together than I. [00:06:40]

I'm not in charge of my story. I have a role to play. I Am accountable. I get to take initiative, but now today I'm invited to let other people become part of my story and for me to become part of theirs. Each time I finished reading a page, he took it away and put it upside down on a small table close by. [00:07:03]

Here's what you want to remember about your story today: Jesus said wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, in the name of Jesus, and that is in the spirit of Jesus, in the character of Jesus, in the way of Jesus, I'm there. So today anytime you're with another person or two, anytime you're having a conversation or you make a telephone call or you're looking at somebody's face, maybe somebody you know well, maybe someone that you have never seen before and will not see again, remember you have the gift of life this day. [00:09:50]

How can I share my story together with you so that we can do it together and then our stories are enriched because we will be led to the place that we do not want to go and if we embrace that place we will find Jesus there and we will bless somebody else. [00:10:37]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?