I was asked, where's the better place?
These last few days I feel a bit like David, crowded out by a host of things I don't fully understand, and I want to cry out "How long?*" Some people say to me "Relax, God's got a plan". Duh. Well, yeah, of course he's got a plan. Talk about stating the obvious!! I could use a bit more help here.
Others say to me "So let's get out and fight, make a noise, present the challenge, we've got right on our side." Well, ok, so you go first, although I do admit it's painful where I'm sitting. But, you know, I can't quite hear the call yet to charge into the arms of war and to face the damage it brings until someone's idea of victory is realized. I admit we might just about be at that time, but I'm still learning the discipline of waiting**.
But then what do I know ... I'm not much more than a single window in the wall of a dark room in a city of shapes. All I can really say is that I am called to do good***. I don't fully comprehend the vista of complexity, the unseen inter-linkages and dependencies, the myriad details of the activities that surround me, or the strategic actions being orchestrated by God. At most I can see there's a concrete maze of twisted structures all around me -- systemic evil.
Of course, I know that one day every knee will bow, the crooked will be made straight; but actually, until then I think I'm surrounded by a lot of unbowed, straight-legged, knobbly knees!
So where is this "better place"? How do I get there? Am I leading others, or who do I follow? When fellow travelers say I am mislead, or when others step onto a divergent path, is it because I am not hearing the call to go their way? Possibly. Or are they perhaps hearing a call that is not for me?
These last few days I feel a bit like David, crowded out by a host of things I don't fully understand, and I want to cry out "How long?*" Some people say to me "Relax, God's got a plan". Duh. Well, yeah, of course he's got a plan. Talk about stating the obvious!! I could use a bit more help here.
Others say to me "So let's get out and fight, make a noise, present the challenge, we've got right on our side." Well, ok, so you go first, although I do admit it's painful where I'm sitting. But, you know, I can't quite hear the call yet to charge into the arms of war and to face the damage it brings until someone's idea of victory is realized. I admit we might just about be at that time, but I'm still learning the discipline of waiting**.
But then what do I know ... I'm not much more than a single window in the wall of a dark room in a city of shapes. All I can really say is that I am called to do good***. I don't fully comprehend the vista of complexity, the unseen inter-linkages and dependencies, the myriad details of the activities that surround me, or the strategic actions being orchestrated by God. At most I can see there's a concrete maze of twisted structures all around me -- systemic evil.
Of course, I know that one day every knee will bow, the crooked will be made straight; but actually, until then I think I'm surrounded by a lot of unbowed, straight-legged, knobbly knees!
So where is this "better place"? How do I get there? Am I leading others, or who do I follow? When fellow travelers say I am mislead, or when others step onto a divergent path, is it because I am not hearing the call to go their way? Possibly. Or are they perhaps hearing a call that is not for me?
So where is the better place? The wonderful place where the proverbial riders head off into the sunset to find the peaceful summer beach, where everyone is wearing Hawaiian shirts while sipping cocktails to the sound of Caribbean music?
Where is my better place where the surrounding barriers fall, my plans succeed, my "wisdom" is heeded, and the fruit of my efforts appear all around?
Is my better place where the turmoil is calmed, and conflict is removed, where all is hugs and smiles and antacid tablets are a thing of the past?
Perhaps the better place is really about a place for others after I've removed myself from the scene? That wouldn't surprise me.
Or maybe my better place is found where others have gone away and left me in peace?
This is stupid. Of course, there's no better place other than where the best is found. You knew that. Of course the best place is where the perfect reigns. And so the place that is at least a little bit better than right here, is when I'm a little bit closer to the best.
All we know, we know by contrast; we know the best because we're not it! Two points make a straight line ... I'm at one end, the best is at the other.
So I'll try make my better place the one where I can stand as close as I can to He who's best. And if the best is found standing in the middle of a war zone, there couldn't be a better place for me. If the best is walking through the midst of my uncertainty, that's the place for me. And if the best is found to be still, I'll wait there too.
Of course, that leaves just the tiny little problem of finding out where best is standing, and what do I do to get there?
Where is my better place where the surrounding barriers fall, my plans succeed, my "wisdom" is heeded, and the fruit of my efforts appear all around?
Is my better place where the turmoil is calmed, and conflict is removed, where all is hugs and smiles and antacid tablets are a thing of the past?
Perhaps the better place is really about a place for others after I've removed myself from the scene? That wouldn't surprise me.
Or maybe my better place is found where others have gone away and left me in peace?
This is stupid. Of course, there's no better place other than where the best is found. You knew that. Of course the best place is where the perfect reigns. And so the place that is at least a little bit better than right here, is when I'm a little bit closer to the best.
All we know, we know by contrast; we know the best because we're not it! Two points make a straight line ... I'm at one end, the best is at the other.
So I'll try make my better place the one where I can stand as close as I can to He who's best. And if the best is found standing in the middle of a war zone, there couldn't be a better place for me. If the best is walking through the midst of my uncertainty, that's the place for me. And if the best is found to be still, I'll wait there too.
Of course, that leaves just the tiny little problem of finding out where best is standing, and what do I do to get there?