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Confrontation
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost ,
August 02, 2009
by The Reverend Alan Neale
I read recently that Disney CMs (cast members) are taught, in their long process of orientation, never to point with one finger… if they must indicate a person or a direction or an object then may point, yes, but with two fingers… it’s just considered all too rude to point!
Actually there’s a myth surrounding that Disney protocol that it finds its origin in Walt Disney’s real life. Whenever he was photographed, cigarettes were airbrushed from his fingers… and what was left… well, two fingers pointing! The airbrushing is true… whether it was the origin of the Disney Cast Member two finger point is debatable!
But anyway… whether it’s the Disney CM two-finger point, or the Indian point (middle finger forward), or the Native American nose point… it seems we are taught from an early age that “it’s rude to point”.
And I wonder why? Perhaps because it all seems rather too confrontational… and sadly, over the years, that word (like the word criticism) tends to evoke responses of discomfort, disdain and disapproval.
In fact one website (www.livestrong.com) actually has a long article all about confrontation and ends with steps to “improve your confrontation”. The final step, rather disarmingly, reads “If you are still having problems with confrontation you need to return to Step 1 and begin again”!
All this to avoid confrontation and yet today’s Bible readings all show three examples of direct and vigorous and healthy confrontation.
Consider Jesus… (John 6:26) “Jesus answered, “You’ve come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free”. And this, as you surely know, is only one of many, many, many examples of Jesus in confrontational mode!
Consider Paul… (Ephesians 4:14) Paul writes to the Ephesian Christians “No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything”. And this, as you surely know, is only one of many, many, many examples of Paul in confrontational mode!
And then of course consider the patron saint, the poster boy, the archetype, the exponent of confrontation… the prophet Nathan. Nathan seduces King David into feeling strong and passionate righteous indignation for the fabled poor man cruelly exploited by the fabled rich man. And when David expresses his wrath… there comes that explosive moment when Nathan looks at David and, doubtless with pointing finger, avers “You are the man”. Now there’s confrontation!
If living today doubtless Nathan would have been hired for those lecture programs so generously aired during periods of fundraising. I can see the title “Confront and Be Healthy!”.
And who would, who should listen to such a lecture by the prophet Nathan? Well… those all too nervous about confrontation and those all too prone to confrontation. Into which group would you place yourself… no, no, no… not the person next door (or even the person in front of you, facing you!)… but yourself?
Well by some miracle of internet (and recent addictive viewing of Twilight Zone episodes) partial fragments of such a lecture by Nathan recently landed on my desk and now I share them with you.
Confront with prayer! 2 Samuel 12:1 “The Lord sent Nathan to David”. When we have a sense the time has come to confront… it is right to do so but in prayer, in company with the Lord. His presence with us not only gives us courage and strength but also enables us to conform our will to His will.
Confront with respect! 2 Samuel 12:1 “There were two men in one city: the one rich, and the other poor” and so begins Nathan’s story! You see, the thing about stories such as Nathan’s, or parables such as Jesus told, is that they allow the hearer to engage without being forcibly prodded. The reason why humour is used by preachers is that sometimes hard truths are made more palatable when they are preceded by a smile (or, dare we expect it, a laugh!). “After the mirthquake, comes the still small voice!”
Confront with sensitivity! 2 Samuel 12:5 “And [hearing the story] David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man…”. Before ever the prophet Nathan confronted David with those stunning words “You are the man”… before he ever confronted David he waited to see if there was still some sense of moral outrage and moral compass within the king. As soon as David revealed his true self, then Nathan knew it was time to confront.
And, finally, confront with purpose. 2 Samuel 12:13 “And David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned before the Lord’”. And with those words of acceptance, surrender… David began a true, though painful, journey toward recovery. You see, the king was confronted by the prophet so that the king might confront the demons before him.
Friends, I have known one or two church communities torn asunder, fragmented into a thousand pieces… all because no-one would confront the damage done by gossip, immoral activity or even a determined reluctance to do the work of church… to discover and perform God’s mission.
Friends, I have known families and couples collapse into division, strife and discord all because of an unwillingness to confront the real harm that threatens them.
Friends, I have come to know many individuals who will not, seemingly cannot, confront the truth of their addictive behaviours and so, inexorably, move towards self-destruction and annihilation.
If there is a person or situation or behaviour that you feel you should confront… please know the power of the Lord and the power of His presence to strengthen, guide, direct you and keep you safe.
And if you, or I, are feeling this morning a little like David… confronted, challenged a word from the Lord… be encouraged! He speaks that we may be healed…
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians Christians is also the Lord’s prayer for you, for me… (Ephesians 4:12-13) “that you may move rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ”.
“Fully alive in Christ” – I charge you all, I charge myself, to confront anything that prevents or hinders that goal “Fully alive in Christ”.
AMEN
