I no longer know if an event is good or bad. I know what an event feels like initially. My emotions of euphoria, celebration, uncertainty, or pain often link the immediate unfolding story. What I know is that the impact will only be seen with the passing of time. Events that initially seem good may turn out to be bad. What is disastrous for one may be a learning experience for the better for another.
I find myself watching a community I care about slowly disintegrate. The fragile cohesiveness of the past has gone on a walkabout, replace by a sense of distrust and personal agendas. It is hard to offer a positive suggestion from the outside. I cannot fully appreciate the forces that are working on each. What I do believe is that “the best that can be said for it is that the testing process will bring truth into the open and confirm it.” (1 Corinthians 11.19)
Life often throws us twists and turns. Each time I encounter an unexpected variation, I find myself slower to respond. I am not sure if the new story is good or bad. What I do know is that I am called to live within its context. As hard as it seems, there are a few mantras I can hold onto.
Life is about engaging to make a difference. In good, bad, ugly, and beautiful, we are called to live. We do not get excused because things are tough. Greater difficulty creates a higher calling.
Our life, as important and precious as it is, is part of a greater story. While I am important, I am not all there is. We are the story.
Our story has forces at work that are beyond our control. At times we are called to fight. On other occasions, we step back and wait. It is never about controlling the outcome. God says that is Divinity’s role.
I believe something better is coming. You and I are a part of it – one act of kindness and compassion at a time.
