Violence is a part of life. I don’t believe it is natural. I cannot accept that it is part of some plan. It is something most people have to deal with during each day that they live. Violence takes many forms and shapes. The manifestations include physical abuse, verbal and written words, body language, rumors, and most frequently gossip. Nobody is immune or completely innocent. Rationalization is the norm of the perpetrators while disbelief, ignorance, and revenge are come from the victims.
For most the immediate impact is an emotional roller coaster filled with radical highs and lows, confusion, and a lingering sense of tiredness. Hope is more illusive and intangible while rational engagement in the process of life is increasingly problematic. Life is difficult, painful, beautiful, awesome, and frustrating all at the same time!
In the middle, one clings to precious threads of love, acceptance, and relationship. It is easy to question the commitment and loyalty of those close to you. Where is my family in my time of need? Why isn’t my best friend standing up for me and defending my cause? What happened to all those promises? Is anyone accountable? Can anyone be trusted? Will things ever improve?
Our questioning doesn’t end with the people that touch our lives everyday. Fears and doubts extend beyond the immediate to color every relationship we have. Family relationships far away take on nuances with in our imaginational world shaped by emails and phone calls. Even God is part of the puzzle! Where is the Divine? Is God engaged in the details, that is mess, of life? Does the Spirit really care?
God doesn’t question our fears and doubts. Divine’s response flags our role, clarifies His, and lets us know more is on the way.
“Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.” (Revelation 3.9)
Turbulent? Yes. Hope? Yes and yes! My reaction? It’s time to rock and roll!
