As we walked the streets of an upscale neighbourhood, the telephone booth stood out for two reasons. First, I rarely see a telephone booth in any city anywhere in the world. Second, I wondered about the story behind the handset. I knew it was the third anniversary of one of the world’s worst non-nuclear explosions. The city was eerily quiet as if the memory of 220 lost lives and $15B of destruction has removed the sense of hope that lives within us.
In this city I find a resilience and resolve that, despite the ongoing magnitude of the challenges and the lack of trusted institutions one can rely on, represents hope at its best. As I walked on in the quiet sun and gentle breeze, I found myself in solidarity with this city and beyond, determined to learn from the past as we step arm in arm towards a better future.
Never let darkness win, in every moment one can make a difference. For me, it starts with paying attention to the details of life. When I do not, I am the character Paul described; “I went along without paying much attention to it. But once sin got its hands on the law code and decked itself out in all that finery, I was fooled, and fell for it.” (Romans 7.9). When I see the details, I find opportunities for kindness, caring, and restoring hope.
In brokenness are stories of pain mixed with the angst of longing for a better world. As I look to listen, I find myself walking side by side with individuals sharing my dream of living in a where caring and universal and one knows s/he belongs in the community. I cannot ignore their burdens because they feel as if they are my own. We are never alone, someone who cares is always with us. Barriers move with shared shoulders pushing together. In knowing the stories of another, I discover my own story.
Manifestations of Divinity are all around us. In seeing the broken, I discover opportunities for love and kindness. I hear my invitation to be Divinity’s hands, voice, and heart.
