Recently, I have had occasion to listen to/read several messages, from various sources, which lead me to believe perhaps a critical mass is nearing which will bring tremendous change in our society. I do not say that to incite fear; I say it to encourage hope. It is time for significant change; we are not going down a road which is sustainable.
I heard the phrase yesterday "normal bias." In short, it means it is human nature to think life is going to continue along on the same track indefinitely, that things are going to remain the same, even in light of significant evidence to the contrary. An example was given regarding the Jews in Germany prior to WWII. They could not believe Hitler was really gaining power and would do the things he said he would do. Even when their friends and family were being hauled off to concentration camps, and they would have still had an opportunity to escape, many of them did not, because they were in disbelief of what was happening around them.
We must strike a balance in preparing for different days ahead, without living in fear. There is much to inspire us in this regard, including a lovely book I read this morning, loaned to me by a friend, titled, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. It was written in 1989 by Henri J.M. Nouwen, who provides a simple message which is incredibly timely and strikingly beautiful.
Quoting from the book: "The Christian Leader of the future is the one who truly knows the heart of God as it has become flesh, 'a heart of flesh,' in Jesus. Knowing God's heart means consistently, radically, and very concretely to announce and reveal that God is love and only love, and that every time fear, isolation, or despair begins to invade the human soul, this is not something that comes from God. This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without any conditions or limits." (Emphasis added.)
God loves each of us, and he has a good plan for our future. Let us not be alarmed by change. Simpler times are ahead, and that is not a bad thing. We must not worry incessantly and be afraid; those emotions are not from God. We must be hopeful and encouraged, loving and forgiving. Let us be at peace and trust in better days ahead.
Sister Terry, life is simpler if one just takes a few moments out to read your weekly post. Change should not be feared but often is by so many who find comfort in the status quo. The message of Jesus was not one of status quo, and it contained changes that the Jews could not assimilate--but in the end, his message has prevailed. Thanks for penning this piece on which we can all reflect.
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