Hope. Always hope

 

We live in a rushed culture.  Despite the deceleration of daily living forced by a worldwide pandemic, internally we’re still programmed from toddlerhood for quick, constant action; we’re all pressured by external forces to act, move, and get it done.  Now.

Curiously, and in contrast, God seldom acts quickly.

If we research it, science tells us that the “Big Bang” occurred 13.8 billion years ago, but that complex, reasoning and logical humans have been around just 200,000 years; a miniscule fraction of time compared to the billions of years that preceded human existence.

I’ve been seeing an ophthalmologist recently because I temporarily lost sight in my right eye.  Even though my vision has been restored to almost what it was before the episode, the incident made me think a lot about the miracle of human sight.  Humans will never design a human eye; the nerve endings alone number 1.5 million extending from the back of the eye to the brain in a circumference not bigger than the lead in a pencil!  I’m no scientist, but I’m betting that it’s beyond our imagination or abilities to reproduce this miracle now, or ever.  It’s even more astounding that it took nearly 14 billion years of evolution to create the human eye.  It certainly gives me a respect for God’s pace!

In his letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul reflects on the slowness of his discernment of God’s will for his life (Galatians 1: 13-24).  He tells us it was a long, circuitous route.  He didn’t just fall off the horse and start preaching to the Gentiles the next day.  Reading his full life story, we know God’s plan for him took decades to be realized.

My reflection on my vision problems reminded me of a Psalm that’s good to read in moments of quiet: “I give thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” (Psalms 139:14)   All on God’s time.

And as we read the passage in Luke about Jesus welcoming Mary to sit at His feet and learn as a disciple, as only male could do in that culture, we understand the inclusivity of God.  She wanted to know more of God’s awesome ways; the ways of grace, working with time and nature, to form a creation that reflects God’s immense love for each of us. (Luke 10: 38-42)

As we all face the serious suffering and fears of COVID-19, economic hardships, human threats to our natural environment, racial injustice, and political incivility we may be tempted to get anxious and worried (like Martha?) and want quick solutions.

There are no quick solutions.  But there’s always hope.

As Christ’s disciples, we’re offered one way to strengthen hope; God’s will.  To discern it we must go to our rooms in quiet and pray, as Jesus directed. (Matthew 6:6-14)

Then, be patient and listen.  If we give God this space, He’ll lead us—on His schedule—in the direction we must go.  This and this alone, will give us relief from our crazy, rushed culture.  This way alone will provide us the deep, lasting peace we seek.