Cause

What is it going to be?  Forward or back?  History or present future?  Yesterday or today?  The question sounds vague but the answer is not as easy or vague as it might sound.  In every problem one faces a question in our response; look for a cause, move to the future.  I have no question or issue with those that want to learn.  I would gently suggest we try to hide a blame exercise under the guise of learning from the mistakes of the past.  Far too often I find myself missing the decision of what happens next.  It is as if I cannot get past the need to discover and assign blame to the cause.  The drive is strong enough to blind me to the opportunities in the present. 
 
The problem isn’t new.  “Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked, ‘Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?’
 
Jesus said, ‘You're asking the wrong question.  You're looking for someone to blame.  There is no such cause-effect here.  Look instead for what God can do.’”  (John 9.1-3)
 
As the challenges, problems, and riddles hit from every angle, the surprising sting that comes triggers anger, resentment, and a call for justice.  In reality I could easily be watching my shadow in action!  My emotional response often blinds me to the reality of how similar my response is to the world at large.  Self rules!  Pain, even in my “easy” environment seems overwhelming.  I want to act.  The simple emotion drives me back into the past, looking for root causes, and seeking justice balance to life’s scales. 
 
In these moments I can hear an echo of God’s Spirit.  The words are simple.  The words tear at the resolve within, causing me to see in a way that defies the intensity of the passion on my sleeve.
 
“I love you.  You are the desire of my heart.  You are my beloved.”
 
I find myself looking at the present, imagining what God will do with my yes.