Tonight as I was sitting on my back patio enjoying the cool "spring" breeze, I was listening to the cheerful sounds of birds chirping back and forth to one another as they "chip, chip, chip" away towards the bird feeders for their evening meal. There was a rustle of falling leaves wending their way down through the trees to land softly on the ground (and my patio), and the swooshing sound of the doves as they came in for a landing. I also heard the sudden "Who who cooks for you?" hooting of our resident Barred Owl, alerting his mate to be aware that a human being was in the neighborhood, prying on their evening activities. (That would be me). All in all, it was a very serene, pleasant, happy experience...a perfect way to unwind from a busy day.
In the background of all this bliss and peace, I had left the patio door open, with the intention of allowing the fresh air to circulate through my stuffy, much too warm house. My husband was inside the house watching the evening news. He purposely turned up the volume, thinking that I should hear what was being reported. That is when this word, "dichotomy", came into my mind. The news that was blaring forth from the television was all about war, anarchy, turmoil, and chaos all around the world...primarily in Libya tonight, but that is only the tip of the iceberg of what is happening in all corners of the globe. I wanted to jump up and slam that glass door shut, with the intention of stopping the unwanted noise of world strife from bombarding my peaceful surroundings. I could feel the anxiety welling up within my body and the stress began to steal away my calm and created such tension in my neck and shoulders that I had to get up and start walking around to work it out of my system.
"Dichotomy"..."a division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups. " That is what I experienced tonight. In my own strength, I am unable to deal with these contradictions of spirit and peace. I cannot rectify the wrongs of this world. All I can do is pray for peace...and pray for the Lord's soon return...
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' And He said to me, 'It is done! I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.'" Revelation 21:4-7
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I Am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Revelation 22:20-21
It's funny,and wonderful, too, that people across the country can be thinking similar thoughts at the same time. This weekend, I was thinking of the nice changes we're making in the room that will become my office, the soft colors, the recycled, redecorated furniture, the potential for a serene working space - and in the next moment was confronted with the huge needs of someone we don't know, but that God allowed me to be concerned for and do something for, and for a family member just diagnosed with MS. That was a "dichotomy" as well. Something peaceful and calming for myself, interrupted by the trials of life for others. I loved that you chose the Revelation passage for comfort. It truly lifts the spirit, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Pam.