Good grief!
If I put those words together with a face palm emoji, I’m describing my response to circumstances several times every single day.
Can I just admit up front that I am clueless about so many things going on in the world right now?
Yes, I can.
Do I wish a whole lot of other people would admit that they are clueless rather than spouting nonsense that just perpetuates the ridiculous opinions of knuckleheads?
Yep.
There are a couple of common problems that skew our perspectives and confuse our responses when we look at the current state of affairs—whether we’re talking about what’s happening on the other side of the world or across the street.
One problem is that we look for logical explanations for how we got here. We think somehow that if we can gather enough information to create a timeline and sequence of events, we’ll be able to get a handle on the reason why things happen the way they do.
I think we shoot ourselves in the foot sometimes with the belief that “everything happens for a reason.”
Is it possible that sometimes the reason is that some wackadoodle did something outhouse-rat-crazy?
Or maybe everything does happen for a reason and we are just not privy to the reason.
I’m clueless. I can’t explain it and I’m not going to try.
Another problem is that we don’t just need a logical explanation and sequence of events—we need a focus of blame.
We LOVE blame!
We especially love blame if it reinforces our own biases. If we can identify a sequence of events that casts our political opponents in an unfavorable light … well, woohoo! Gotcha!
Therefore, depending on who you listen to, the blame for the current situation in Ukraine—along with the accompanying complications around the world—can be laid primarily at the feet of Donald Trump … or Joe Biden … or Bob Jones.
(Actually, I made that last one up. In our family, we’ve been blaming our dear departed friend Bob Jones for eating the last cookie and other minor infractions for over 30 years).
I just needed a moment of levity in the middle of all of this mess.
That doesn’t mean that I take it lightly. I’ve been to Ukraine 4 times since 2010 and had another trip planned for this year. I have friends there and have seen God move in amazing ways in the hearts of people through this music ministry/mission trips.
I’m praying for peace, for safety, for provision, for changed hearts.
My heart is heavy and I’m asking God to intervene miraculously.
It’s hard to watch and wait.
It’s easy to blame, pontificate, and posture.
This morning, I read this:
“You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”
(Psalm 59:9-10)
The Message renders that verse this way:
“Strong God, I’m watching you do it, I can always count on you. God in dependable love shows up on time …”
For most of us, all we can do right now is wait, watch, pray, and trust.
Perhaps that’s what most of us ought to be doing.
Perhaps that’s what is actually best.
Wait. Watch. Pray. Trust.
Be amazing today, my friend.
