Chaos Comes Creeping

Readings: Isaiah 53: 3-12, Revelations 5:1-14, John 18:1-19:42


I spent a couple of hours on a dreary Sunday afternoon immersed in a movie--the kind of movie I very much appreciate. It had a good plot, was well structured, had strong characters to carry out the story, and a beautiful setting. The movie had all the elements for which I have a true weakness-- lovely, sleepy English villages of stone homes, beautiful yet simple gardens, and quiet charm. Life doesn't get overwhelming often in these places--even when chaos tries to creep in as it did with the bombing of near-by London in the WWII story. Life in this village as was made up of good, sturdy neighbors, small homes, healthy gardens, and a simple lifestyle that was not devoid of surprise and chaos, but those times seemed to appear in much more subtle ways.


The result of life in that village? Perhaps not great volumes of anything of great worldly value of progress ever came from there, but the things that did matter tended to run deeply. Life there gave folks focus; it centered them in a way that they were then able to think upon what was most important--one's walk with God. In that setting, the chaos of the world  always attempted to creep in, but with the smallness of the surroundings, the townsfolk recognized it for what it was and were wary of its presence and effect. 


After the movie ended, I somewhat reluctantly returned to contemporary life--the Sunday paper was full of one dire story after another; television infomercials made one empty claim after another through boisterously speaking voice-overs; politicians were on the airwaves and in the news as well saying whatever it takes to woo one voter after another to see things their way and award them with votes.


Most folks these days tend to go through their lives at break-neck speed, making this change and that, all the time hoping, perchance, that the next transition will be the one that is the best, thus making all the chaos worthwhile. Usually the chaos just creates more chaos. 


Should we be against change for progress? Certainly not. Many wondrous things have come about with change. There is a fine line, however, that we're charged with recognizing when all the progress happens. It is progress for a clearer and closer walk with God or is the progress of the world, which creates more chaos? 


When the chaos comes creeping in this week, take a moment to remember, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we were healed" (Isaiah 53:5). A clear and forceful message that we were, through Christ's ultimate act, given peace.  Not chaos--peace.  A gift we need to think about and appreciate each and every day. We are given permission and encouragement to take time to have peace in our lives. 


God offers the deepest, most internally satisfying peace we will ever know. He doesn't tell us that by amassing a certain amount of wealth, fame, or possessions we will earn peace. It is offered to all--period. Our simple acceptance is all that is needed.


Peace be with you.