I just left Bali and now the airport is closed. The closure had nothing to do with me or anyone I know. It was an appropriate reaction to a large ash cloud drifting from Mount Rinjani, an active volcano on the nearby island of Lombok. I did not see it coming. The days I was in Bali were picture postcard perfect with sun, gentle breezes, and great surf.
I am reminded of how little control you and I have with life beyond ourselves. In this case it was a volcano. In other situations, it could be a typhoon, hurricane, earthquake, or simply the choice made by ourselves or someone around us. Regardless of the source, we should not be surprised when we are blindsided by adversity. As events recently reminded me, one is often caught off guard, unprepared, and forced to deal with difficult outcomes.
There are old lessons to be remembered.
Not knowing is never a defense. Being unaware will not protect us from the impact that follows. Life does not have an obligation to keep us informed. It is not obligated to ensure we are protected.
Putting ourselves at risk, ignorantly or otherwise, eliminates whatever defense we might otherwise have. Many negative outcomes can be avoided if we act with care and in the interest of others as well as ourselves.
Stuff happens. Bad touches the deserving as well as those less so. Innocents are touched as easily as everyone else. How we respond to the events in life is the heart of the greater story. Will we learn and grow from pain and uncertainty?
There is more than what we know. We are gifted with the power to change lives for the better. We have the freedom to dispense compassion and care to any and everyone. Metaphorically, we are empowered because like David we are blessed by the Divine; “I’ve put Ocean in his one hand, River in the other.” (Psalm 89.25)
We may not be in control of what is happening around us. We do have control of our choices and actions.
