Certainty & Illusion

I am grateful to have spent these past weeks in the place that is most home for me. I am encouraged and supported in uncommon ways by friends and family who have made it possible for me to live these past five years, what has been and continues to be an extraordinary life on four continents, following what I believe is my calling. This has been possible only through the generosity of others, and I am humbled by the opportunity given me. I leave my beloved country in a few weeks with a concern. I am struck by an apparent cultural anxiety, anger and social frustration. I think of endless conversation that unrealistically builds up institutions and leaders, only to then destructively tear them down. And, dialogue that seems more about how important our lives and communities are, rather than the importance of how we treat one another, and how we treat the earth. What need is fostering this? Are we losing trust in our collective selves? I hope not. The great challenges and experiences of this past decade have created much grief, doubt and fear. What has been "certainty" in our lives has been challenged. We are learning that much of what we have believed is "certain" is but an illusion. What is certain, is God's abundant love, as we experience it in relationship with others and all Creation.