Storms

As I read the weekend papers, I found myself living in and through the lives of the featured individuals.  Each life was a story filled with the ordinary and yet each has its own unique combination of anguish, hope, fear, and opportunities.  Depending on the character involved, the reader found him/herself bathed in sadness, wonder, and occasionally awe.  As I looked around, it seems that every human story comes with its unique blend.  In the chaos of the ordinary, I found myself realizing the following.
First, there are no perfect lives.  Everyone has a weakness.  Everyone has and will continue to fail.  Everyone has something they would do differently if they had the strength, will, and resources.
Second, someone beyond our control is touching our life. Nobody is immune.  We live in a community and are part of a large, extended family.  For good and at times worse, we touch each other's life.
Third, while it would be wonderful if there were an ideal response to every situation, there is not.  Simply put, your answer is not always the right answer for me.  There is no master list of scripts waiting for us to discover.  Every step is, and must be, one of our choosing.  Even if we do not think we choose it, the gift of freedom within dictates that we are accountable for the path we walk.
When I read how others respond, I realize that there are examples of those responding to the Spirit and those running away.  It might seem like some are running.  For example,  “when Moses heard that, realizing that the word was out, he ran for his life and lived in exile over in Midian.  During the years of exile, two sons were born to him.” (Acts 7.28, 29)  Yet, the larger story confirms that Moses was responding to this call of the Spirit.  It would be easy to this is a model for us today, but it was Moses' response, not ours!  The model he gave us was and is a simple mantra; listen and follow God's Spirit.