Practical vs Idealistic when resisting Empire - Kelley Barton

“Sometimes you need to be practical, rather than idealistic, when resisting Empire.” 

“Some days you need to stop the immediate pain.”

These two thoughts stood out to me in Sunday’s message, specifically when it comes to our mental health. 

Many of us want to see BIG change in our communities, in our country, in our workplace or school. We want to stand up for the IDEALS that we feel Empire is destroying. We don’t want our neighbors and friends to be scared, humiliated, or to die from lack of support. And for those who are facing those circumstances, it’s hard to not know when things will change. And to feel so alone and discarded.

Some days we are energized, sending emails, making calls or signs and going out to protest what we feel is an assault on ourselves and those we care about. We spend some time doing what we can in hope that our ideals will be reached and will result in real change.

Other days we feel so discouraged, we may not want to leave the house or communicate with others, because it means we have to face the world. Ideals not met. Empire that seems impossible to change, even though we resist with everything we can. That is when we need to know it is okay to focus on the PRACTICAL and let the IDEAL pause for a bit, to protect our mental health.

That might mean you need to do something for yourself and fight the urge to feel this pause makes you selfish or weak. It’s okay to slow down. Perhaps find a safe person to hang out with, who will simply listen to you. Refresh your mind and spirit in the way that works best for you. ASK FOR HELP if you need it. You are not alone in hitting those pits of discouragement.

Here is one example of what Jesus did when it was time to be practical.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Mark 6:31-32 NIV 

So what happened next in this passage? I’m sure they enjoyed the quiet of the Boat ride. But when they arrived at the “solitary place”, the crowd had found them and a lot more people joined. Jesus talked to the crowd. But then this original desire for solitude turned into the miracle of feeding the 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. After everyone had been fed, Jesus asked the crowd to leave, got his disciples to go ahead of Him to the next town, and then He had some solitude for one evening. (vs 33- 46.)

One thought I take from this is that we should seek time for ourselves when we need it. Jesus did. And when that first attempt was brief, he taught for a bit followed by what was perhaps one of the most practical miracles in His ministry. Feeding people. No change to Empire. No discussion of ideals. Just eating. When that was done, Jesus got the alone time He desired and needed.

Our culture is one that elevates accomplishments and “busyness”, often over self-care. And at this particular moment in time, we get messages that if we do not participate in the hard work to bring about change, it may never come. But let’s keep the balance, so we do not do damage to ourselves in the process. We can work towards our ideals and yet sprinkle the practical into our lives. 

The next time you get overwhelmed by resisting Empire, try to remember that it is okay to step back from your ideals and focus on the practical. Rest. Rejuvenate. You have Jesus as an example. And then you can get back at it!