When you look at the history of the world from a broad viewpoint, it becomes obvious that at certain points, change just happens. Everything seems to come together at once - imagine a cone-shaped filter that collects economic, religious, political, societal, even climactic factors. Beneath this filter is a tube through which everything passes, then comes out in a different, but still recognizable and traceable, form. What's even more amazing is that often these changes are similar across the world - not uniformly, but enough to be startling.
I've just studied this phenomenon in Europe during the years 800-1200. I came away with the understanding that nothing man could do would control all the factors involved. They could have limited one or maybe two, but no way could humans control everything. Yet what emerged was not random ... it was evidence of a semblance of order in what appeared a chaotic mess.
God is in control in our changing world as well. We are all in the midst of change of some sort. Whether it is a technological revolution, the challenges of a new democracy, or complete societal upheaval, change is happening. We can't stop it or control it. As individuals, we simply must respond in loving service to whomever happens to be in the filter with us. As members of society we must seek to influence what that change looks like. And as Christians, we must pray and trust the God who, behind the scenes, is bringing history to its ultimate - the summing up of all things in Christ.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Eph. 1:7-10
No comments:
Post a Comment