I so appreciate this reflection, Randy! So much of our suffering comes from our inability to hold this tension and tolerate the light and the dark as they exist together in our lives. It also strikes me that when we can exist in this tension, held secure by the love of God, it actually gives us greater clarity about ways in which we can pursue change and justice in the world.
"The light doesn’t overcome the darkness but yields to it and finds a new beginning." Randy, I read your essay and I wonder how it applies to the real world. If you are a Ukrainian - do you just let the dark side of aggression run over you and your family?
I just read an interesting article on "mixed emotions. We are usually never completely happy/sad etc. Our emotions are mixed except - I suppose- for those who are high on drugs.
To view both lightness and darkness as a mixed emotion is fine but what do you do with that insight? A battered spouse might see the light when she is not being battered. I realize that your message is one of hope but it is not practical enough for the real world. Do you always turn the other cheek? Bob
That's always the question. Is this good for anything? That raise the bigger question. Despite all my efforts the problems of individuals and society are never resolved. I keep hacking through the jungle and I am only more exhausted. All our efforts are futile unless our failure is part of something greater.
I so appreciate this reflection, Randy! So much of our suffering comes from our inability to hold this tension and tolerate the light and the dark as they exist together in our lives. It also strikes me that when we can exist in this tension, held secure by the love of God, it actually gives us greater clarity about ways in which we can pursue change and justice in the world.
Thanks, Scott. The Kingdom of Heaven is here but not yet. Resurrection happens in the dark of the tomb and the shadow of the cross.
"The light doesn’t overcome the darkness but yields to it and finds a new beginning." Randy, I read your essay and I wonder how it applies to the real world. If you are a Ukrainian - do you just let the dark side of aggression run over you and your family?
I just read an interesting article on "mixed emotions. We are usually never completely happy/sad etc. Our emotions are mixed except - I suppose- for those who are high on drugs.
To view both lightness and darkness as a mixed emotion is fine but what do you do with that insight? A battered spouse might see the light when she is not being battered. I realize that your message is one of hope but it is not practical enough for the real world. Do you always turn the other cheek? Bob
That's always the question. Is this good for anything? That raise the bigger question. Despite all my efforts the problems of individuals and society are never resolved. I keep hacking through the jungle and I am only more exhausted. All our efforts are futile unless our failure is part of something greater.