Persevering in the Midst of a Lot
Rev. Erik Swanson
July 20, 2025
When I left for my summer break, I was very aware that I was stepping away during a time when there was a lot going on—locally, nationally, and globally. Taking time to rest and renew myself was essential so I could return grounded and ready to re-engage. Many people asked me what I did on my break, and one highlight was the first Sunday I was away. That same morning, I was knee-deep in the Little Truckee River, surrounded by mayflies and rising trout. I caught around 15 fish on dry flies and found myself laughing with joy. It was one of those sacred moments — heaven on earth for me. What I love most about those experiences is how fully they remove me from the news, the noise, and the pressures of the world. But even as I returned home, I couldn’t ignore all that was unfolding around us, and I found myself wrestling with how to stay engaged and grounded at the same time.
Mary and Martha – Misunderstood?
The story of Mary and Martha comes to mind (Luke 10: 38-42). This story is often seen as a simple contrast between doing and being, but it’s far more nuanced. Perhaps we need to reflect both Mary and Martha. Work must be done — justice work, caregiving, advocacy. I was proud that several people from Westhope joined the downtown protest recently. Some of us are fighting to end genocide, some are feeding the hungry or clothing the poor, and others are working for racial or LGBTQ+ justice. Some are confronting our own privilege in new ways. And even if we’re not on the front lines, many of us are deeply anxious about Medicare, SNAP, voting rights, and more. So the question is: how do we stay centered while so much is happening? How can we reflect both Mary and Martha?
Staying Centered
I believe three things can help us: focus, calling, and perspective.
First, focus. We’re not called to ignore the world’s pain, but we must balance our awareness with moments that remind us of what is good, holy, and hopeful. Like Mary, we must make time to sit with Christ. Spiritual practices matter now more than ever. If we were athletes preparing for the World Cup, we’d train harder — well, this is our moment, and we must train spiritually to stay strong.
Second, calling. God calls all of us — not just clergy. Jesus stopped at the home of two women he likely didn’t know to share his way with them. The same goes for us: God is calling each of us into a specific role during this time. We can’t do everything, but we can each do something meaningful that aligns with our gifts and the world’s needs. That’s where calling lives.
Third, perspective. My time on the river didn’t last forever. Likewise, this difficult season won’t either. Remembering that gives me hope. And when I’ve accompanied someone to an ICE hearing, I’ve found that shifting my perspective from my own fear to theirs helps me step up and act. Perspective also reminds us that serving and listening to God are not either/or choices. We can stay rooted in the Holy even as we protest, speak out, and act.
Keep a Faithful Perspective
So in this complicated, heavy time, let us focus, listen to our calling, and keep a faithful perspective. Let’s stay connected to our Source and each other as we live out the love and justice God calls us to. Amen.