Sunday Musings - September 27, 2020
For what shall we pray today?
Today it would be easy to focus on the attempt of representatives of both political parties to “slay the dragon” as they demonize each other’s views and proposed policies. It would be easy to fall into the trap of doom and gloom. Certainly there are serious concerns about how we treat each other in local communities, on the state level and on the national level. There are also concerns about Mother Nature and the extent to which climate change caused by humans is responsible for some of the acute changes in the climate. Certainly no one can disagree that we have had less than a respectful relationship with the environment. We continue to act as if the ecosystem will function regardless of how often we invade and overtake the habitat of other species of beings and of vegetation.
It confuses me when others talk about the “natural” order as if humans had not long ago abandoned the notion that Mother Nature should be in left in charge. Genetic engineering of crops, the killing of certain insects, the destruction of wetlands, the creation and use of medicine and other medical procedures, the use of certain fossil fuels for vehicles and manufacturing plants, the creation of myriad tons of non-bio- degradable materials, bombs and a host of other “inventions” have all had a profound effect on the so-called natural order.
Yet, I talk to many good people who remain convinced that we need to maintain the “natural order”; we need guns to kill people, cruel prisons, to resolve not to terminate a pregnancy even when there has been a rape, and reserve sex solely for procreation no matter what science says about how many children would be wise. Those same people often act as if natural selection decides who will have access to health care and to vacant building which could house the homeless; who deserves to go to college or learn a trade; who deserves a safe home; which diseases deserve to be treated and which deserve punishment.
Obviously, there is no such thing as returning to “natural order” whatever that was. We have made far too many changes to even consider that option. When I lived and worked in Alaska many families would live in remote places off the grid but they still wanted access to material to home school children, to certain material provisions, and to fast boats and planes to take family members to medical care by people who were not living off the grid. This is not a criticism but merely an observation about the fact that it is impossible to return to the “natural order”.
Often it seems what is expedient for the political process, for a limited group of individuals or for religious institutions is to propagate the myth that a return to the natural order is possible. Too often, it seems as if the real agenda is not to return to a natural order, but to promote and maintain the power positions of certain institutions and groups.
Today I will not pray to return to the “natural order” but for the awareness that every decision I make affects the working of the whole. Today I will pray for the courage to be more honest with myself about my motives for every action. Today I will pray to see with clearer eyes and hear with a more open mind. Today I will pray that I can let go of my attachments to my privileged position. Today I will pray that I can use my privilege and gifts to help restore a new balance to the earth.
Written September 27, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
For what shall we pray today?
Today it would be easy to focus on the attempt of representatives of both political parties to “slay the dragon” as they demonize each other’s views and proposed policies. It would be easy to fall into the trap of doom and gloom. Certainly there are serious concerns about how we treat each other in local communities, on the state level and on the national level. There are also concerns about Mother Nature and the extent to which climate change caused by humans is responsible for some of the acute changes in the climate. Certainly no one can disagree that we have had less than a respectful relationship with the environment. We continue to act as if the ecosystem will function regardless of how often we invade and overtake the habitat of other species of beings and of vegetation.
It confuses me when others talk about the “natural” order as if humans had not long ago abandoned the notion that Mother Nature should be in left in charge. Genetic engineering of crops, the killing of certain insects, the destruction of wetlands, the creation and use of medicine and other medical procedures, the use of certain fossil fuels for vehicles and manufacturing plants, the creation of myriad tons of non-bio- degradable materials, bombs and a host of other “inventions” have all had a profound effect on the so-called natural order.
Yet, I talk to many good people who remain convinced that we need to maintain the “natural order”; we need guns to kill people, cruel prisons, to resolve not to terminate a pregnancy even when there has been a rape, and reserve sex solely for procreation no matter what science says about how many children would be wise. Those same people often act as if natural selection decides who will have access to health care and to vacant building which could house the homeless; who deserves to go to college or learn a trade; who deserves a safe home; which diseases deserve to be treated and which deserve punishment.
Obviously, there is no such thing as returning to “natural order” whatever that was. We have made far too many changes to even consider that option. When I lived and worked in Alaska many families would live in remote places off the grid but they still wanted access to material to home school children, to certain material provisions, and to fast boats and planes to take family members to medical care by people who were not living off the grid. This is not a criticism but merely an observation about the fact that it is impossible to return to the “natural order”.
Often it seems what is expedient for the political process, for a limited group of individuals or for religious institutions is to propagate the myth that a return to the natural order is possible. Too often, it seems as if the real agenda is not to return to a natural order, but to promote and maintain the power positions of certain institutions and groups.
Today I will not pray to return to the “natural order” but for the awareness that every decision I make affects the working of the whole. Today I will pray for the courage to be more honest with myself about my motives for every action. Today I will pray to see with clearer eyes and hear with a more open mind. Today I will pray that I can let go of my attachments to my privileged position. Today I will pray that I can use my privilege and gifts to help restore a new balance to the earth.
Written September 27, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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