Earlier this week, I read from Richard Rohr Daily Meditations that “Change is Inevitable” during this week’s theme of “Wisdom in Times of Crisis”.
We read about how change normally refers to new beginnings, but in the mystery of transformation, more often happens not when something new begins, but when something old falls apart. And that in the pain of something old falling apart, chaos may emerge and we are invited to listen at a deeper level and sometimes our soul goes to a new place.
To my “white” friends, if you are still reading anything I write…..I am not inviting you to join me in examining ourselves and our privilege and supremacy because I want to tick you off or create a barrier between you and me…..it’s because I want you to experience the transformation that can take place when we let old ways of thinking and being fall apart. And when we invite the Holy Spirit to remove scales from our eyes, and open ourselves up to enter into relationship with people whose life experiences and cultures are different from our own, we are blessed by the relationships and it can be transforming.
So back to Jonah and the “Change is Inevitable” devotion from earlier this week… “While change can force a transformation, spiritual transformation always includes a disconcerting reorientation. It can either help people to find a new meaning or it can force people to close down and slowly become bitter. The difference is determined precisely by the quality of our inner life, our practices, and our spirituality. We are reminded that change happens, but transformation is always a process of letting go, living into the confusing, shadowy space for a while. Eventually we are spit up on a new and unexpected shore. You can see why Jonah is in the belly of the whale is such an important symbol for many Jews and Christians.”
My big question is…..am I Jonah? And I willing to be open to transformation that requires me to let go and live in confusing, shadowy space for awhile? I think so, most of the time…..but then sometimes I doubt. I say and hope that I’m ready to end up on the new and unexpected shore, in the current belly of the whale, just ready to be spit out on the shore…..but am I?
I sure hope so! We are called to be ready for the deeper something that is before us, so we can be a part of love winning….and so I’ll work hard, and pray and persevere, and we’ll see what love and God (who is LOVE) will bring!
