Emergent Design
/May 25, 2020
Scripture
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:12-13 NRSV)
Emergent Design
“Flying by the seat of your pants” sounds less elegant than “emergent design”, but in many ways that’s what we are doing these days. Right now, we are overloaded with information and competing strategies for managing the disease and opening the economy. Who has the right answer when we aren’t really sure what the questions are?
We like certainty and it is in short supply. Who or what we are angry about may be a hint of where uncertainty is hitting us hardest. My questions are mostly of the micro variety – can I invite you to my back deck for a coffee? And if I do can I offer it to you from my own cups or do you have to bring your own? Wear a mask when I shop or maybe not shop at all?
Our faith stories are a lot longer than our experience with the pandemic – and the desire for certainty can get in the way of faith. In his last hours Jesus promised his friends a lot of need for trust in the unseen Spirit and advice that there was a lot they would only understand over time.
The Spirit shares some qualities with the virus – you can’t see it, not sure where it is but you can see the results of its presence. While the virus attacks our breathing, the Spirit breathes forgiveness and wisdom. Love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, kindness and a host of constructive fruit emerges from uncertainty as it becomes faith.
A Prayer for Today
God of love and kindness, I don’t like uncertainty or things that I can’t control- and we have this in spades today. You promised us your presence to deal with the joys and sorrows of life, but also that we would only understand over time. Give me patience with uncertainty, with those who are trying to guide our communities and compassion for those who are hurting a lot more than me.…. For Jesus’ sake
