‘Understanding’

5/22/2018

I Was Thinking…

It doesn’t surprise you when I say that there are a lot of things in this world that I don’t understand. I venture to guess that you might even feel the same way. For example, I don’t understand why there are flies. In all of our Creators creativity why were flies created? I’m sure there is an entomologist who has a good explanation but for this non-scientific person…I just don’t understand.

I don’t understand why people struggle to ‘get along’ in this world. Why is there such vitriol in our world? What is it that causes us to want to demonize those who see things differently than we see? Why do we feel it so necessary to be mean and dismissive toward those who have a different understanding of faith or life or even God?

I don’t understand why there is a mantra for many that simply behave in a way that puts others down in order to lift others up. I don’t understand, for example, why ‘mud-slinging’ is thought to be necessary in political campaigns. Why is one looked upon as ‘weak’ if they choose the high road as opposed to wrestling in the ditch of hurtful criticism?

I don’t understand why ‘half-truths’ are so much fun to spread through the venue of gossip. What makes conversation with people that seeks the truth so difficult to be had? Why do we so easily fall into the trap of talking ‘about’ people rather than talking ‘to’ people?

Joan Chittister in her book ‘A Spirituality for the 21^st Century-The Rule of Benedict’ writes “It is weakness itself that becomes the anchor, the insight, the humility and the gift of a leader. But only if they themselves embrace it. It is a lesson for leaders everywhere who either fear to lead because they know their own weaknesses or who lead defensively because they fear that others know their weaknesses.

It is a lesson for parents who remember their own troubles as children. It is a lesson for husbands and wives who cannot own the weaknesses that plague their marriage. We must each strive for the ideal and we must encourage others to strive with us, not because we ourselves are not weak but because knowing our own weaknesses and admitting them we can with great confidence teach trust in the God who watches with patience our puny efforts and our foolish failures.” (P.47)

Insecurity is a powerful state of being. It causes us to be less than God has created us to be. Fear is a fuel that keeps us locked in our insecurities (and we all have them). The question is “What will we do about them?”

Maybe I understand more than I think I do…

Always Thinking…