Good morning…
As we enjoyed a candid discussion on the porch, my husband Steve read aloud yesterday’s meditation from Richard Rohr. By request, he forwarded it to me. Now I share the wisdom with you.
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Imagine Something Better – Author Sarah Bessey names the need to be “for” something good, not merely “against” what is wrong:
Imagining and contending for what you hope for in this world is one of the hardest and kindest paths I’ve discovered out here. In the midst of all this, don’t forget to imagine something better. Don’t forget to dream of what could be possible. And don’t forget to live into those hopes with faithfulness. Move in that direction, especially when all you know is “not this.”
If it helps, sometimes I’ve thought of this as the rhythm of turning away and then turning toward, almost like a beautiful dance…. We turn away from those things we’re against and toward the hopeful future we imagine. In a purposeful movement, we turn away from the practices or beliefs or habits that consume us, threaten us, reduce us, and distract us. And then we turn toward what brings flourishing, goodness, and truth to us. Turn away, yes, and turn toward…. What we turn toward should reorient us to the world in a posture of love, joy, and service.
It can be a simple rhythm to begin with. Turning away from spaces in social media that have become toxic for you and turning toward inviting a lonely neighbor over for tea. Turning away from voices that bring shame and guilt to you or others and turning toward voices that preach freedom and wholeness and love. Or turning away from shrinking back and shutting up to keep the peace; turning toward owning your voice, your body, your experiences with boldness. Turning away from gossip and petty nitpicking; turning toward language of blessing….
Begin with Against, and keep going until you find your For. It’s an act of defiant faith. It will give you something to lean into. It will give you a path to follow.
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I like this guiding principle. Moving past what we are “against”, might we discover what we are truly “for”? Watch God’s path unfold before us.
Considering what is, imagine something better.
Dream of what could be possible.
Faithfully live hope.
Turn away from “not this” – away from toxic social media – away from voices that bring shame and guilt – away from shrinking back and shutting up just to keep the peace – away from gossip and petty nitpicking.
Turn toward what brings flourishing, goodness, and truth – toward love, joy, and service – toward a lonely neighbor – toward voices that speak freedom, wholeness, love – toward owning your own experiences – toward the language of blessing. The Lord had said…”I will bless you…you will be a blessing…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:1-3, NIV).
In this tumultuous time, we need to be “for” God’s greater good, not merely “against” what is wrong.
…Sue…
