In re-reading previously published Chaplain’s Corner articles, I came across one I wrote in May 2013. In light of what happened this past weekend, and the seemingly endless ways chaos invades our world, it seemed fitting to reprint this article in the hopes we will be reminded of our ability to navigate chaos.
My husband has an irritating way of weaving systems theory into our everyday challenges. One of the most irritating adages he proclaims is during times of chaos, the character of a system is revealed. Personally, I prefer chaos theory’s adage there is order in chaos. Knowing there is order in chaos comforts me; being held accountable to how I handle chaos does not. I like the comfort and balance being a person of faith offers during chaos. I do not want to know what is revealed about my character. I just want the chaos to go away. Can I get an amen, people of faith?
Here is the thing: the Judeo Christian sacred text speaks about living out our faith. It bears witness to One who walks through chaos with the Beloved, providing order, comfort and balance. Like the Judeo Christian text, the sacred texts of other religions speak of making sure our walk and talk are one. Living in the world as a person of faith cannot merely be preached; it must be lived out as we engage everyday challenges. Our faith must put “flesh on” as we bear witness to hope and love even in the midst of chaos.
Chaos is a given. How we handle chaos as people of faith matters. We cannot simply hope it will go away; it is our normal. Tom Welling [it seems appropriate to quote Smallville’s Superman during this season] offers these words:
I have so much chaos in my life, it has become normal. You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down, take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things work rather than complain about how they’re wrong.
Relax. Calm Down. Take a deep breath. Make a plan and then work the plan. With confidence in The One who brings order to chaos and bearing witness to hope and love, know that we have this.
May the chaos in our world compel us to become our best selves, beacons of hope, conduits of love and advocates for the oppressed and persecuted. Amen, and amen.