Reality can be beautiful, harsh, dreamy, stark, or wonderful. Any and all of these descriptors are accurate, even conflicting ones at the same time. I know many who prefer to see life in a consistent frame. If can be negative or positive, the individuals in my mind like the consistency. The idea that life includes black, white, and gray is not one they feel comfortable with even though everyone in the stillness of the night acknowledges this to be reality.
I listen to the political campaigns, wondering how we continue to accept rosy pictures of what the future could be even as we know the ideas idealistic, full of fantasy, and unconnected with the world. Jobs will continue to move to where labor is less expensive than where they are, no matter what kind of legislation we try to enact. Can we ignore the lessons of industry that is within my lifetime? Should be delude ourselves about the challenges so that we can feel good for the moment? Is there a window of opportunity to see life for all the conundrums that it is and accept the challenge?
The facts are very stark. When one finds a beautiful spring that provides the best, is it ok to remember that “everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again?” (John 4.13) As we see a sunset can we put the beauty in the frame with the thunderstorms that came yesterday and will be here again in the future? As we revel in gifts of love does it inspire us to more readily give away what has been freely given to us?
The opportunities for the future are unlimited. Seizing the right time, place, and challenge may be a question yet unanswered but oh what a great opportunity we have! Everything is possible, especially when we see life for what it really is. Nothing is too small, all things make a difference!
You and I carry with us gifts that others are dying for; gifts of love, unmerited kindness, and forgiveness. Today reality meets the future.
