pioneermeditations

I’ve heard the idea of “standing in the gap” as a heroic stance.  The idea put forth is that of a defensive wall being breached, leaving a gap that must be filled in order to keep evil out and protect the good that is behind the wall.  It is about keeping a separation in place.

There is another image that I would like to present.  This gap is more like a ravine that needs to be spanned.  Whatever stands in this gap needs to be a bridge that connects the two sides of the ravine.  It is about bringing together what had been separated.

In our society we speak of many gaps.  Generation gap and income gap, certainly, but also, separation of church and state, racial divisions, home owners and homeless, not to mention the groupings by political affiliation, sexual orientation or religious beliefs are chasms in the midst of human society. 

Those who say “blessed are the peacemakers” should be standing in the gap as bridges not barricades in a wall.  Our efforts should be about bringing people together.  It is a tremendous challenge.

If you identify with a God who is “I AM” you need to let that be a singular statement about God.  As humans we need to drop the ego and say “WE ARE”.  The amazing thing about all the gaps is that they divide people who are remarkably alike. 

It amazes me every year that there are people arguing about the facts in the Christmas story. Was it December or April? Was it really Bethlehem?  Was it 4 B.C. or 0 A.D.? Who were the wise men and what was the star?  Is the Christmas tree still a pagan symbol?   Such arguments are of little help in reaching the truth of Christmas.

It also amazes me that there are so many versions of “The True Meaning of Christmas”.

There are as many versions of Christmas Truth as there are explanations for the four advent candles on the wreath seen in so many churches.  Truth is found in all of them when we don’t get bogged down in facts that cannot be proven with a high degree of certainty.

May we simply find in the Christmas symbols, stories and songs a message that touches our hearts with hope, peace, joy and love.  This is what makes it worth celebrating.

Hope keeps us going. It doesn’t need to be reasonable or realistic to keep us going. It is more about our emotions than our circumstances.

We will run into trouble emotionally if our hopes are not realistic. Eventually we may give up hopes that are never fulfilled.

A wondrous thing about hope is that it can be fulfilled in truly surprising ways. Hope is about a desired future. It is fed by steps toward that future.

Take a look around at your present world. You will find things that will help you move toward that better future you desire. The circumstances may not be what you envisioned but the peace, joy and love that were at the core of your hope may be fulfilled as you move on one step at a time.