A Certain Truth in Uncertain Times

 

...the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 

John 3.19

Each day we are given the gift of a sunrise and a fresh start to awaken in the world. We might make some coffee with the hope and prayer that the day might bring joy. We remember what struggle yesterday might have brought. It comes wafting back to us with the rising steam of coffee. 

We have the choices before us every day, whether we work, volunteer, meet with others, or travel. Each day presents us with hours of time that we get to choose how each minute is used. Are we making the choice to do something good in each minute of the day?

We might feel inundated by constant reminders of disarray and suffering. Of division and selfishness. One cannot turn to any website or social media platform and not see it. We might feel it personally in different ways too. A disconnected feeling from what is true and good.

This all leads us to feel rather alone in the world. Nobody else could possibly feel the disconnectedness we feel, as our minds swirl into the chaos these are the words we listen to. If we focus on them long enough, they become our reality. We think we are alone with nobody to listen to us or care. We think we have to figure it out ourselves, as we have no one to turn to. Or we turn the wrong way because it seems to fill the need.

We try to fit puzzle pieces together and only feel bereft of any real answer. We seek happiness wherever it feels good for the moment, not thinking about if that's actually what God desires for us. The best goodness might be waiting for us while we busy ourselves with distractions that we cling to to avoid anything real.

I am one tiny person who leads a quiet life, and yet I see this all around me. I hear this. I feel this. 

That must mean I am not the only one. You're not the only one.

In the Gospel of John, the end of chapter 2 says "for he (Jesus) knew what was in man."

How does Jesus know? He was a man - living and breathing. Eating and laughing. Hugging and walking. He knows the heart of man, because he was one. 

God as Creator of the universe might seem elusive sometimes - as Spirit which we cannot see. God is spirit, life, breath, wind. He goes where He pleases because He is everywhere at all times. He is beyond time. There are no restrictions for God. But we humans like tangible things. We like some image or example. God as spirit can be hard to grasp in our earthly limitations.

The dark haired, tanned skin man called Jesus walked the earth in leather sandals. His feet got dusty. He shared meals with people. He told stories. He came down from heaven to draw closer to us. To show us how to live and love. To share examples of what the Kingdom of God is to set our imaginations on fire. We had always resisted. We still do. He was reaching for us then. He still is now. We are never alone.

This is what I cling to. Whether times are calm or uncertain. It's the only thing that was certain then, and will always be certain forever.