We are fiercely independent people.
Events, commitments, and people we perceive to challenge our independence are quickly removed from our lives. We proudly celebrate free-will and champion efforts to ensure its continuation. We cherish the freedom to come and go as we please and are wary of any commitment greater than a month to month NetFlix subscription.
However, this lifestyle and wariness are viable only so long as everything goes as planned. Unfortunately, as we have all experienced, life is far from predictable and includes significant tragedy. In these moments it is a need for community and a hope in something greater that come into sharp focus.
“Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
”Let’s get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!””
Since Adam and Eve we have attempted to live life better and wiser than God directed. We have bucked at the thought of limits and pushed back on the ‘rules’ laid forth. Even the Ten Commandments later distilled by Jesus to “love God and love people” are met with skepticism. For we seek the exception and want the freedom to justify our actions by circumstance. We don’t even want other people taking too long a look at our thoughts or actions.
Sadly, this independence and moral relativism leave us woefully unconnected and lost. We are left in a precarious balancing contest trying to rapidly reorder our priorities and beliefs based on own capricious minds. Then one of life’s tragedies strike and it all comes tumbling down.
For in the face of adversity we need absolutes and direction. We need hope that is beyond ourselves and timeless in its truth. We need community and people around us to sustain us, build us back up, and challenge us. For life is hard, but it is much harder alone. Let us renew our efforts to connect to both God and people this coming week.