Thursday,
September 12, 2013:
“Where there is no
vision the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18)
The Book of Proverbs
in the Bible interests me more than most of the others because it is packed
with wisdom… wisdom that applies to everyday life. Granted, a good deal of it
is infused with the values of its time and is tribal in nature, but the meat of
the text is a source I go to when all else fails to inspire me after my morning
meditation. This time, while I sat, this verse came to my attention as I prayed
for our leadership. My spirit gets a bit antsy when the giant chess game of
world politics comes to a place where the horrors of war percolate to the top
of the agenda for those with good or evil intentions. We need a vision… a
national vision… a world vision… a vision not unlike that of the first months
after the first and second World Wars.
I’m just a bit depressed about the
events of the day because I see no apparent position; no particular direction, no
vision to embrace. These are dangerous times for nations to careen against
each other and in such times... when the vision is fogged, it is most
important for me to clear my head and my heart so that I am not led about and
exploited by those who would seduce my emotions. Before I act I must allow
myself to be guided by the Heart of Compassion to do the next right thing.
There is today a pastor that was arrested
for plotting to burn a pile of Korans. Our nation’s Constitution permits this
but our laws don’t. His arrest will add fuel to a controversy that has been
simmering since 9/11/01. However, his actions, had they been allowed to be
carried out, would have caused an explosion of protest. We need today to resist
the temptation to be manipulated by folks like this pastor and those who would
pretend to be upset by his actions. It takes vision to wait on guidance but I
must accept guidance from beyond my emotional insecurities. The times demand it
for there is another pertinent scripture that applies from the Book of Joel; “…
your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men will dream dreams,
your young men shall have visions.” (Joel 2:28) Do we need youth to change our
minds about a direction and vision? I do have to let go of old ideas... i.e, old dreams... old chimeras... in order
to accept a new vision for world peace. That vision is to be seen only through
eyes youthfully renewed.
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