Father God, I feel like I am living in an upside-down world. I realize that much of Jesus's teaching is upside-down--the last shall be first, to save my life I must lose it, love my enemies, and others--but the events of this year and this US election take the idea to a terrible new place. Evil appears to be triumphing, incompetence is a requirement for government appointment, immorality and sin are celebrated, and knowledge is devalued. I don't understand.
My own prayer practice has taken a hit because I don't know how, or what, to pray. I am mature enough (!) to know that You do not always (and maybe rarely) answer my prayers with the answer that I think is right. So now the question for me is this: What are You doing? How can I catch a glimpse or an outline of the plan that You are working out? Knowing that "You cannot be stopped," I take a deep breath and grasp Your truth and the history of Your work in the world. You have rarely, if ever, done things in a way that "makes sense." Of course, Your ways are not our ways, nor are Your thoughts our thoughts.
In my current reading in Galatians, I see Paul's annoyance with the people in Galatia. Haha--I think I know how he felt. What I hear is this: "How on earth can you believe these falsehoods? What are you trying to prove?" In so many ways, I see the Church of today (early 21st century) being deceived by very similar heresy. And I am, like Paul, annoyed.
And I, unlike Paul, am afraid. I am afraid for my almost son-in-law, an immigrant from El Salvador. I am afraid for my daughters and their young families, perhaps including grandchildren someday. I am afraid for the dear immigrant believers in our Church. I am afraid for this country and for the principles of truth and virtue and freedom under which it was founded.
I will not be afraid!
