WHAT WILL THE FUTURE HOLD?

I’m sure you have heard, maybe even used the word apocalyptic in reference to all that is happening in our world. The empty streets of cities across the world, the medical gear nurses and doctors suit up in each day, the marches and riots like scenes from a dystopian horror movie.

We often think of apocalypse in terms of the end of the world, with visions of terrifying beasts and destruction. But in fact, apocalypse is a Greek word meaning "revelation", or unveiling or uncovering of what was not previously known.

Covid 19 has certainly uncovered many things; our dependence on other countries for goods, inadequate and inequitable health care in many places, the ability of a virus to spread over the entire world in a short amount of time, and how much we value our freedom to come and go as we please. It has shown which leaders are capable and forward-thinking and which ones are slow, reluctant, and selfish.

The pandemic has also shown how connected we are across the globe. We share, at this moment, a common enemy and together we are working on a vaccine, trading information to help one another regardless of previous barriers. We have been reminded of our fragility and respond with empathy to families in Spain, India, and South America, as well as locally, as they watch their loved ones battle this disease alone. We feel the collective grief from all the losses.

From New York Public Library

In our own neighborhoods, some unveiling has also taken place. We finally see the incredible value of the work of many who were previously invisible to us. The daily dedicated service of these individuals has been highlighted making nurses and health care aides the heroes of the story. Those who clean our public buildings and sanitize carts at the local grocery store are being seen and celebrated for the first time.

The creativity and ingenuity of humanity is being uncovered. The ways people are revamping their celebrations to allow for social distancing; drive-by weddings, virtual meet-ups, birthday parties on front lawns, alternative graduations and proms. The fact that, at the beginning of this year, hundreds of millions of people around the world stopped living their “normal” lives, began wearing masks, staying home, and collectively obeying the guidelines of their governments is phenomenal! When has there ever been another world-encompassing event such as this? We have shown our ability to change, and to change drastically and quickly.

Has there been an unveiling occuring within your own heart? During these days at home, separated from your usual people, work, events, what has been uncovered? Perhaps God has been moving almost unseen, excavating the debris built up from many years of unconscious living and unearthing those things which are most important. With His tools, God has been working to reveal the ways we have allowed our first love to be replaced with other things. It has shown our busyness as a desperate attempt to fill a void within ourselves. Our accomplishments or plethora of relationships or our pursuit of more, have been ways we seek fulfillment and affirmation. When these are stripped away, we find ourselves at last, seeking our fulfillment in the only One who is always with us, always loving, always on our side.

The significance of everyday ordinary life has been revealed as well. The things we have rushed through in the past to get to the next item on our to-do list, have all of a sudden been infused with meaning. The quiet snuggles at the end of the day, the thoughtful almost meditative exercise of making dinner or folding clothes. These simple things have become a mindful practise, anchoring us in the present moment, reminding us to slow, to count our blessings.

Perhaps you have had time to gaze out of the window, walk in your neighborhood, or settle into a good book. Our souls are being reset, our pace slowed, and a glimpse of another kind of life can been seen on the horizon.

We have seen our ability as humans to change when required. Will we carry this new-found skill into changing the way we live our lives in the days to come? Will we say no to some of the things which have kept us needlessly busy and begin to say yes to those things which feed our souls, deepen relationships, and tether us to the present?

A practise which has helped me to slow down the days and pay attention is reflective journaling. This technique can help us see the ways Jesus is inviting us into a new way of life.

Each morning we view the day ahead, those things on the schedule which are hard and demanding, we can decide in that moment to relinquish these into stronger more capable hands and in doing so, find the strength and courage to do them anyways. We can intentionally choose to delete items which add only hurry. The act of prayerfully writing this down, helps to let it go.

We can also begin the day seeing and appreciating the opportunities it holds, the gifts of friendship or meaningful work. We can greet the day with a heart full of gratitude.

Each morning we can attune to the sensations in our body, we can recognize and name the fatigue, the fears, the entitlement, the pride and renounce these before they wreck havoc in our relationships. This gives space to see how we have pushed our body too hard, or been unkind or unloving in our treatment of her. This knowledge can lead into healthier, more life-giving ways of living.

Beginning the day by taking stock and then relinquishing, embracing or renouncing as needed helps us show up more fully ourselves and opens us up to be more fully filled with the Spirit of love.

When we do a similar practise at the end of the day, we again take stock by looking into the rear-view mirror. Asking the questions, where has God been present, where have we acted in love or failed to do so?

This is one way to live life unveiled – to see the truth about the way we are living and through seeing, move closer to living the life Jesus envisioned for His people – one which is unburdened and free. Instead of going back to “normal” let’s move forward into this new kind of life.