2008, A Year of Hope, Despite Appearances
I had trouble this year when it came time to compose the usual Christmas letter for 2007. I could not get into the spirit of recounting our family’s fortunes and misfortunes. When Gloria looked at what I came up with, she said, “this is a blog; let me write the letter.” So I took her advice. Here is the blog that was rejected by my personal editor. As it turned out, my comments are reflections about where all of us are at the end of this year‘s run.
Despite many international troubles and intrigues, not to mention wars and rumors of wars, there is reason to be hopeful at this holiday season 2007. Watching the evening television version of the news and the sound bytes from celebrities, will not give this impression. But I have been looking around and noticing movement in the bushes and a stirring of the leaves above.
If you read the less titillating reports in section C of the newspaper, or subscribe to some of the niche magazines, or tune in to the more cerebral authors, you will notice a sub-current of some force, flowing in peaceful and spiritual directions. Don’t fret over institutional heads and leaders of enthusiasm, who have ordination and followings, but whose integrity can’t handle temptation and flattery. There, nevertheless, are many outside the religious scaffolding who are moving toward deeper understanding. Scientists on the front edge of research are finding meaning in life and fresh perspective on our creatureliness. Writers who have not been “indoctrinated” in human-led, career-path schools are discovering how the “spirit” leads. Regular people are beginning to understand our role in our planet-wide community. Get out and about and notice that, if we can keep a few from destroying us all meanwhile, the rest of us are waking up, maybe just in time.
It is not hard to notice, if you are looking, that times are speeding up. There are more scientists leaning over their lab tables and manipulating their computers at this very moment, than have existed, cumulatively, since the beginning of recorded history. What would you expect? Instant global communication is changing human relationships, in our young peoples’ generation, in such a way that the greater portion of human beings are not so easily fooled by the power grabbing, ill motivated CEO’s and political leaders. I’m told that the advance of human potential, genetically and mentally, has not reached its peak but is on a sharp upturn.
My upbringing taught me to expect the long awaited return of Christ to be fulfilled soon. I believe this. But I think the biblical metaphors, while genuine, yet are unrefined attempts to describe what likely is happening already. Jesus’ birth was a heralding event for those who knew, or subsequently learned about him. God’s kingdom--the universe and God’s pervading presence--is not distant. It’s approach, in our awareness, if not already, is going to astound us. It is a joyous time and exciting to watch. I’m not predicting, for time is a crude, illusory tool of measure. I’m merely tuning in.
Have a happy and surprising New Year. Look for new things.
Doug
Despite many international troubles and intrigues, not to mention wars and rumors of wars, there is reason to be hopeful at this holiday season 2007. Watching the evening television version of the news and the sound bytes from celebrities, will not give this impression. But I have been looking around and noticing movement in the bushes and a stirring of the leaves above.
If you read the less titillating reports in section C of the newspaper, or subscribe to some of the niche magazines, or tune in to the more cerebral authors, you will notice a sub-current of some force, flowing in peaceful and spiritual directions. Don’t fret over institutional heads and leaders of enthusiasm, who have ordination and followings, but whose integrity can’t handle temptation and flattery. There, nevertheless, are many outside the religious scaffolding who are moving toward deeper understanding. Scientists on the front edge of research are finding meaning in life and fresh perspective on our creatureliness. Writers who have not been “indoctrinated” in human-led, career-path schools are discovering how the “spirit” leads. Regular people are beginning to understand our role in our planet-wide community. Get out and about and notice that, if we can keep a few from destroying us all meanwhile, the rest of us are waking up, maybe just in time.
It is not hard to notice, if you are looking, that times are speeding up. There are more scientists leaning over their lab tables and manipulating their computers at this very moment, than have existed, cumulatively, since the beginning of recorded history. What would you expect? Instant global communication is changing human relationships, in our young peoples’ generation, in such a way that the greater portion of human beings are not so easily fooled by the power grabbing, ill motivated CEO’s and political leaders. I’m told that the advance of human potential, genetically and mentally, has not reached its peak but is on a sharp upturn.
My upbringing taught me to expect the long awaited return of Christ to be fulfilled soon. I believe this. But I think the biblical metaphors, while genuine, yet are unrefined attempts to describe what likely is happening already. Jesus’ birth was a heralding event for those who knew, or subsequently learned about him. God’s kingdom--the universe and God’s pervading presence--is not distant. It’s approach, in our awareness, if not already, is going to astound us. It is a joyous time and exciting to watch. I’m not predicting, for time is a crude, illusory tool of measure. I’m merely tuning in.
Have a happy and surprising New Year. Look for new things.
Doug
Labels: 2008, A New Year
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