Wicked Problems

Wicked problems are ones defying solution.  Wicked problems thrive and grow across generations.  Wicked problems seemingly have no beginning and no end.  Regardless of your particular view on wicked problems, we live in a world full of them.
 
One of society’s weaknesses lies in our inability to confront the heart of the problems which plague.  If someone betrays trust we confront the messenger.  What about the underlying reason for the betrayal?  If someone hurts another, bringing pain and anguish into their life, we punish the offender.  We rarely examine the underlying drivers for the behavior, even when the isolated instance becomes a movement and then a way of life for generations.  We’re satisfied with ignorance.  We long for what is beyond our grasp while denying the longing within.  We live with angst, questions, and uncertainty as if it was our only choice.
 
Even in the midst of evaluating our leaders we find ourselves commenting on wicked problems.  Why should the current batch of leaders be any more or less successful than those before them?  Is there anything in the contenders to suggest things will be different in the future?  The obvious questions include the words “why”, “how”, and “when”.
 
In the midst of wicked problems it often seems like Hope goes into hiding.  We search without success.  We long without satisfaction.  We despair.  We long for Hope.
 
I would like to suggest there is only one source of Hope.  It lies outside of our “self” as well as within.  The simple yet extremely complex answer is God.  Divinity shares in the reality of the world in which we live.  Divinity believes the future can be different.  Divinity knows our weaknesses and yet trusts you and me to be part of the solution.  One writer put it like this; “He'll settle things fairly between nations.  He'll make things right between many peoples.  They'll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes.  No more will nation fight nation; they won't play war anymore.” (Isaiah 2.4)
 
Everything hinges on today.  Will we work with God or against?