When The Bubble Bursts

June 25, 2024

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

It is a sad truism of life that none of us get through this veil of tears without experiencing hardness, pain, fear, and grief. Children do not usually understand this, nor should they. At some point, usually in our teens or early 20’s, we begin to realize that its not all rainbows and unicorns. And, for some, it takes even longer than that.

I used to be a part of a music group that sang at our church. We produced musical shows and even wrote our own play, with original music and script. It was well received, and we traveled to several churches throughout Michigan to perform it. It was a graced moment in time, but we failed to see that it was only a moment. We even referred to a “bubble” that seemed to cover us and protect us. We thought that we were something unique and special. Such hubris.

It didn’t take long for the bubble to burst. Babies passed away, arguments formed, pride rose up, and anger replaced love. As time passed, the group dissolved, and we went our separate ways. Some experienced divorce, others moved away. It turned out we were quite normal and un-special after all.

The amazingly ironic thing about all this was that we were doing all this “in the name of Jesus.” We had no clue. As it does for most people, we had to be brought low and knocked off our self-built pedestals in order for us to understand that our form of praise wasn’t giving glory to God, but merely to ourselves. Without a storm in our lives, we just didn’t get it.

In today’s Gospel, the disciples encounter a similar moment. Life was good. They were hanging out with the latest cool Rabbi and were enjoying the adulation of all the crowds. They missed the fact that the crowds were for Jesus and not for them. And then, there they were, rowing across the lake and the storm hit. Panicked, they woke Jesus who looked at them and just shook his head. “Where is your faith now that there is a storm? Okay, fine. I’ll calm the storm, but keep rowing. We have a ways to go.”

I’d like to think that I’m a bit smarter, stronger and more humble as a result of those early years. Of course, there have been plenty of storms in my life since then. I’ve learned to cling to a phrase I first saw on a church billboard: Sometimes God calms the storm; Sometimes God calms me. Either way, as long as I kept my focus on serving others and listening for direction from God, I have survived the storms.

When I hear others talk about how blessed they are and how well things are going for them, I smile. I am genuinely happy for them, and I hope they enjoy this moment in their lives. But I also know that their bubble will burst too. I pray it will not be in a violent or painful way, but it will burst. That does not mean that God is not present. And that is what I try to convey to those who are experiencing the burst bubble.

I have leaned that seeking God in the storm will take time and effort, but the peace of God is there if I but reach for it. Bringing a sense of calm to my heart in the midst of a maelstrom is what I seek, and, I think, what we all seek. I want to be someone who can help others find that peace when the bubble bursts.

Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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