He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how. Friedrich Nietzsche
Nihilism is the boiling point of philosophy. Scott Steele (gamertag Steeley007)
Hier zu sein ist so viel // “To be here is immense.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Go dté tú slán // “May you go safely.” Actually how the Irish say goodbye, John O’Donohue
From the evidence, why was I given today? John O’Donohue
#1 predictor of relational success/ health is proximity. Jason Young
And it’s hard to say nothing // To my only ghost. Rob Grote (The Districts)
Transformation gives us the audacity to advance along a road of unknowing. Jean Vanier (repeat from last month)
Love doesn’t mean doing extraordinary or heroic things. It means knowing how to do ordinary things with tenderness. Jean Vanier
For the culture and for the blog I will get this thang on it’s way. Folks, I am a bit gutted to take to the keyboard to write down any and all thoughts I may have currently. I hate to give something like this pandemic the power to influence whether or not I am learning or thinking about good things. Alas, I am reluctant to share that despite keeping my face buried in books for the past few weeks that I have really learned one sentiment over the course of this time. The walk of a Christ-follower is one towards unknowing.
This is bold and I hope could cause some controversy in our walk with Christ, but I am in the headspace of this currently. For instance, the first few days we (the United States) became more serious about this pandemic, questions were being brought up that religious folks were forced to meet head on.
Why is this happening? What is our role? What does Jesus say about this? How do we hope and trust in this time?
Another shout for help, because if any of the public has good answers for these I invite them. My initial reaction is meeting these with ferociousness. How dare you ask me something like that? I have absolutely no idea how I am supposed to reconcile this. But that doesn’t mean that I am not hopeful. That I am not praying. That I am not seeking Christ as if he were not here.
In points of desperation, it may be a beautiful time to share a humble faith with the world. While humans look to these enormous questions revolving around theodicy (the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil) in the world, our voices as Christ followers may provide a refreshing voice. We have the promise of resurrected bodies, fulfilling what was intended, and walk here as people first and foremost loved by the Creator of the universe. As we live into these sentiments, our lives are testimonies to the invisible God. This isn’t a flex or a stance that we are somehow superior, but of course people may look to us.
I think we miss the target when we are looking to explain this pandemic in a way that puts us even with God. In our desire to emulate Christ in our service, it must be outward and not inward. Meaning our focus is on serving the world, and not ourselves. This isn’t new by the way. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as ransom for many.” That’s from Mark, in the Bible. Anyways Martin Luther has this to say about what it looked like for him to serve others.
“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed, in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy, and does not tempt God.”
– Martin Luther, “Whether One Should Flee From A Deadly Plague" (1527 Letter to Rev. Dr. John Hess), Works of Martin Luther, 43:132.
I am frustrated by the ignorance of some of my brothers and sisters in Christ during this time, and yes I am looking at you dead in the eyes, Rev. Rodney Howard-Browne (look em up if you feel inclined). I don’t need to push an agenda of why we should stay at home and self-isolate, etc. If anything I bring this up because we will consistently be voices for good and flourishing in the world, should we choose to speak well. I started working at home because not because I was afraid of the pandemic for me, but rather the implications that I might have on others if I was out. There is part of me that is frustrated that we have become rather self-indulgent and refuse to live a different way in this time. That is America as a whole, struggling in isolation and looking towards the economy over people. Full Stop.
So I do not know. I don’t know if this is a time in reflection of God’s judgment on God’s people, I don’t know when I will begin to live regularly again, I don’t know what this will do for our program, hell I don’t even know the latest TikTok trend because I haven’t seen Landon and Emme in a while. I don’t know. So don’t ask.
What I do know is that we as humans continue to go above and beyond in extending love to one another. From neighborhoods and cities breaking out in celebration for our medical workers, to Martha Anne setting up touchpoints throughout the week so we are kept sane in our now-dispersed community, to seeing Times Square empty based on all of us stacking hands, even to the glimmers of hope occurring across the world.
How I am keeping sane:
Reading…. a lot, listening to all the albums I missed, writing more than usual, playing video games with my host dad, playing board games with my host brother, taking breaks during work, running my frustration out, going on walks with folks (6 ft.), getting good sleep, Facetime beers with friends, checking in on @goodnews_movement , involving myself in the silly social media challenges for connection, and man I am still praying. I am privileged enough to see this as a weird Sabbath that God seems to be offering me, so I am going to hold onto that and give it my best shot.
Peace,
Austin