When I was studying art history at the Philadelphia Museum of Art one of my favorite paintings was by mid-twentieth century abstractionist Jackson Pollack (1912-1956). It depicts the randomness of oil paint dripped onto unprimed canvas. It is a h-u-g-e painting, covering most of a wall.
When I first saw it I asked the museum’s curator, How much did we pay for this? I was shocked at the price-tag.
Granted, I am not a connoisseur of abstract art. But it did reflect the sentiment of the age— CHAOS.
Having just emerged from the chaos of WWII the world was searching for new definers; we were not who we were. But what were we?
Historically, in the times following tragedy, people are searching for a new interpretation of the world around them and for some personal understanding of themselves. This was such an era.
So also is our time.
Amidst the civil, racial, and political unrest of the past decade the West has been plunged into a time of finding new definers to understand ourselves. For Christians it means discovering new ways of integrating our faith with the rest of our lives, and the world around us. Here are some of my ideas…
1. STOP! Put your life on pause for a morning. Get away. Take a note-pad. List your observations.
2. STOP! Spend time listening to God in prayer.
3. Talk with someone who is NOT a Christian. Ask how they are making sense of it all.
4. Talk with someone who is a Christian. Get their take on these impending challenges.
5. Take time to let the Bible read you. I do not suggest a genealogy.
6. Unless you live on the west coast, take time to breathe the fresh Fall air.
7. If you are married, have a leisurely meal with your spouse to roll things around.
8. Pray together for some kind of united front. You’ll need one another a lot more in these days.
I’ll not beleaguer you with more ideas in the hopes that you will discover better ideas than mine. But do keep in mind, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. [Proverbs 16:3]
God is full of surprises. [You know the rest.] Not all is chaos.
Honor God, honor people, make a difference,
Gary
Dr. Gary Davis, President
NEXT— Finding God— Pulling it all together pt. 5.
Clueless Christianity 