Friday 26 June 2009

I really like this piece by William Willimon.

Christians have the intellectual means for devising one of the most pessimistic assessments of human nature, We really do believe that all of us, all, are sinners, all the way down, gleefully on our way to hell in a hand basket. Believing this enabled me to say - when George W. Bush told us that we were going into Iraq for the very best of motives to do the very best of work - "Probably not." When told that the purpose of our war was "Enduring Freedom," I responded , "Probably not." By the way, when someone said that I was one of the most selfless, godly bishops ever, "Probably not."
We are able to be pessimistic about human motives and achievements (most especially our own) because we are optimistic about the ultimate triumph of a God who saves the ungodly. Ephesians says that we are as good as dead but that, in our salvation, God pulls off nothing less than resurrection. Confidence in the salvific triumph of God enables us to tell the truth about us.

In some ways I like to think that we are a people who are invited and able to laugh at ourselves and all the grand plans we attempt to put in place and even those we try to make the final word about what is to be among us. "Probably not" is a good way to go about the day. It doesn't mean that we cannot go forward with plans to change the world and work for justice and peace and the welfare of all. Rather, it means that the plans we have - may not be it. There may just be other ways and other viewpoints and other paths. What happens when we are able to say "probably not" is that we are given the opportunity to enter into dialogue with others. That, as I have mentioned time and time again is where the miracles of the day take place because our Lord is right there in the middle of our dialogues - when all sides are willing to consider this "probably not."

Connection: It is not easy to face the times of the day with this open view of what we say and do. And yet, it is so vital for the life of all of us. It is the way of shalom - the way of healing and wholeness.

When your Reign is among us, we become a part of the creative power of your Holy Spirit. Keep us open to your Reign and how we are the elements of it joy and creativity. Amen.