The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

This morning, I am pondering how the events of our lives do not define who we are; but our reactions to these events do teach us about the truths we own. Regardless of what we know consciously; regardless of the truth we believe; all we need to do is watch what is playing out in our lives and we will see exactly what truth is actually at our core, defining the world we see manifest.

Catastrophic events have a way of being defining moments, for those of us willing to observe ourselves. For some, major unsettling occurrences, bring out the best, sometimes revealing strengths that even surpass our own expectations. For others the least little change can appear overwhelming, demonstrating in our lives as helplessness.

All over this nation (and even around the world), people want to do something. The American Red Cross is nearing a record collection, despite considerable negative press over how this agency handled the 450+ million collected following 9/11. Most everyone wants to help somehow.

In this way, cataclysmic events like Katrina, bring out the absolute best in humankind. Even the most cynical of humans must find some respect for his brothers and sisters when witnessing the outpouring of love that follows such events.

Unfortunately, calamitous events can also reveal the shadow side of individuals

Predatory entrepreneurs see this as an opportunity to bilk good-hearted innocents out of their money, under the guise of offering disaster relief. The FBI reports that they are monitoring a proliferation of such scams on the internet and in telemarketing shops. While I find these criminals disturbing and would not want to share their karma, they do not trouble me nearly as much as the morally superior groups that claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, yet totally miss the messages that their savior taught.

A friend of mine had a daughter and son-in-law living in New Orleans, just prior to Katrina. They were ahead of the evacuation chaos, because they lost their power. Since it was too hot to stay without air conditioning, they packed up a couple of small bags and headed north. Later when they saw the areas, near their home, flooded with breeched levee water, they realized what an demonstration of grace, losing their power was.

This last weekend, this young couple attended a small Christian church in western Kansas. The message, from the pulpit, was one of God’s revenge. Essentially, the entire city of New Orleans deserved God’s wrath because of their sinful ways. After the service, the young woman told this pastor, in no uncertain terms, that he was wrong to judge all the people of New Orleans as deserving of God’s punishment.

When I heard this, I was just floored. So, I did what I always do, when disappointed by my brother, I searched the internet. I am astounded by how prevalent this view of “deservedness” is among some of the far right Christian churches. Move over Pat Robertson, you are far too liberal for some of these bible thumpers.

I find myself feeling outraged by “men of the cloth” who miss the message of Jesus. Of course, then I realize I am as guilty of judging them as they are of judging New Orleans. I also realize that these people would not exist, were they not a voice for an aspect of ourselves which still needs healing. I find myself remembering that just because one professes to teach the message of God, does not mean that the message is valid, nor does it imply that the teacher is capable of being Godlike.

I am so very grateful that I have the freedom to choose which God I will serve. I am so thankful that I am free to worship a God of love, or in my particular case a benevolent universe. From this place of love I shall forgive my judgmental brother and I shall forgive my judgmental self.