Decades ago I was heavily influenced by a book, “Blessed Rage for Order”, a heavy lift by David Tracey. His premise was that the groaning and suffering of history, both personal and collective was an expression of the revelation of God in our humanity.
Yes, we and certainly I, long for this peaceful and idyllic image of a smooth glide path to the kingdom of heaven and a serene life on earth.
Yikes, what a contrast to the world we live in. At a certain age we all encounter our unique versions of disappointment, anxiety, despair and fear.
Our political system at the moment seems completely broken and chaotic!
Wars abound in the Middle East and the Ukraine and elsewhere.
The culture wars of abortion rights and the right to life, and even gender equality test even the best of family moments into tense exchanges.
Our perspectives on care for the earth and air and water even have adversaries.
Are we really falling apart as a human community?
Another perspective perhaps….. We are near the edge of defining our path to survival as a species and defining the conditions under which we shall survive.
But such has been our journey even in Biblical times. The path to prosperity and enlightenment has always been fraught with challenges and dangers.
Our biggest challenge may be living peacefully and peaceably in the midst of such a Blessed Rage for Order. Just perhaps we soften and refine the edges of our humanity and human history in the grinding struggle. What if the face of God even shines more brightly in such darkness? Can we decompress our fears and welcome one another as pilgrims on a shared journey ?
While I may wish we were elsewhere, perhaps this is our moment to architect the world of tomorrow through the raging chaos. Perhaps even God finds it as good and necessary to achieve the kingdom. Imagine being grateful even amidst the struggle knowing we are seeking the truth of our destiny!