Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Ebb


I often wonder when the day becomes night the exact moment from one to the other. The difficulty lies in identifying the when. Is it mostly light so still day? I don’t know. Is there a moment of absolute in transition? It gets even more confusing observing the waves coming into shore; yes, there is a definite line but it always moves. Each wave brings its new boundary at the edge of its reach, only to pass the line to next wave to surpass or fall short. Is there really an absolute line if it’s there for a moment? Things come, things go and more than just making them true, it makes things, moments, and people precious.

I think we have an awkward time with the fact that things are not always steady and stable. Some things by definition must be fluid and I wonder if even the most hardened things, like concrete aren’t fluid at one time. I wonder if my pre-suppositions, my projected expectations are not the source of my confusion? I think maybe my thoughts are too "either / or". When in truth the things I ponder are "this /and". For instance a Loving/Just God. At some point Justice will see something as wrong and say so. Is it loving to say something is wrong- even if it hurts and the person your telling doesn’t see it? Does a loving parent love a child by punishing the child? Is it beautiful to see the hand of God move in compassion though it takes a painful or tragic experience to bring out that opportunity?

Both/and, that answers it for now. Life is much more both and than we will ever know.
Shalom...