This morning’s dusty dawn saw the sun appear as a soft orange dot above a tower, a perfect illustration of an “i” on the desert side of Dubai. There are no super tall buildings here, just residential towers designed to deal with the heat and winds coming off the deserts to the east.
In the quiet stillness, one easily forgets the tsunami which awaits later today. Deadlines, impossible task lists, and conundrums presenting themselves as problems to be solved. I often find myself falling into a well-worn view that I will be overwhelmed, consumed, and eventually spit out by the day which I knew is coming.
Life reminds me that it does not need to be this way. There are several lessons which I can carry with me, each a life preserver in its own way.
Prayer is more of a state of being than an isolated act of doing. Tilden Edward’s words shared decades ago continue to be true today. In each moment is an opportunity to remain connected to and with Divinity, sharing the way life overwhelms and consumes. You and I are never alone, although for me it feels that way in the middle of the most intense moments of it all. Recognizing and experiencing Divinity’s embrace, in its many forms, is a lifeline.
The principles of caring and kindness are always useful, even when they seem extravagant. In each moment, you and I have an opportunity to be a god. A god who delivers love, kindness, and care in word and action. If in doubt, when one is unsure what the best choice might be, look at care and kindness as the first option.
In the chaos it is easy to feel as if one is lost. Everywhere one looks, there are metaphoric “wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight.” (Psalm 148.10). It is hard to know what direction one is facing. Slowing down to be present is always a good idea. As crazy as it might seem, each moment is a unique opportunity to make a difference.
