Author: Pam Luedtke
We are living through a time of great chaos and confusion in the world. Many of us are wondering how and when we are going to come out of this so that we can move forward in progress again. How will we sort all this out?
Everywhere we are hearing different interpretations of events from different sources. Where we seek reliable information, we find conflicting reports. We face a minefield of falsehoods being passed off as facts. Some are deliberate attempts to manipulate; others are based on sincere beliefs. All are infuriating because they obscure what is real. It is difficult indeed to know who and what to trust.
What are we to do in this predicament? How are we going to find our way through it?
A common reaction I see in myself and others these days is that one just wants to turn away from these conditions. We might get upset for few minutes, then turn our attention to something else. This is not so much about denying what is happening, but more about not knowing what to do with it. The situation is so uncomfortable, and can be really scary.
This is a natural reaction because, for heaven’s sake, when we don’t know what’s going on, it is confusing. And confusion is painful. Confusion stimulates our fears, and can leave us grasping for answers. It stimulates our desires too; for relief, for comfort, for security. The inner conflict becomes too much, and so, we turn away.
It is tempting to just want to hunker down where we know it is safe, and stay there. Let somebody else figure this out. Let the savior come and deliver us from this situation!
But. . . is there a savior coming?
Is someone or something from somewhere going to emerge from the chaos, take control of wayward humanity, and put everything in order?
Many of us may secretly feel better in hoping this is so, myself included. But now that we are more evolved, thinking individuals, can we get away with that? Do we honestly believe in this idea? Is it likely this will happen? And if the answer is no, that leads us to the next scary question. If there is no savior coming, what do we do then?
What if we could help the world with our own thinking?
What if a real pathway out of this situation is for each person to take charge of their own thinking, and their own choice-making?
Never has there been a more crucial time for humankind to use its God-given ability to think! To reason. To consider. To weigh options. To make thoughtful choices. This is the divine attribute that differentiates us from the rest of the kingdoms of nature. We need to start using it now. Our future depends on it.
We can start by realizing that we have been likely leading with our emotions, not with our thinking. We can consciously choose to step out of our fears and desires, redirect our energies, and take a cold, hard look at what we have not wanted to see. We can muster the courage to make an honest assessment about what is going on and make a clear and sensible choice about what we truly want.
Do we want to allow the current chaos to go on and continue to spread? Or do we collectively say. . . “Enough already! Let’s bring it back to something that is reasonable.”
At some point along the line here, if we want things to get better, we are going to have to start making this kind of choice, instead of letting the chips fly where they may. As humans get their own individual thoughts in order, order will be reestablished in the world. It starts in daily life, in everything we do, at the ground level. It will spread from there.
I believe we have already started this process. And if we put some faith in this idea, and each does their part to hold up their end, I believe we will gradually create a collective energy aimed at sorting out our problems in a more constructive way. Over time, that collective energy will gain momentum and begin to move the currents into a more positive and balanced flow.
The way we get our own individual thoughts in order is through the making of choices. We have the right to choose what works for us as individuals. We also have responsibility for what comes from those choices.
Let us remember that humans were bestowed with the gift of free will (free choice) when we were created long ago. A respectful God is not going to interfere with that. Nor is He going to step in to save us from the mess we ourselves have created. Perhaps we are in a time of testing to see if Humanity will indeed step up to take this on. The mess on the planet right now is OUR mess. And we need to own it. And, to make the clear, reasoned, thoughtful choices that will clean it up.
Instead of turning away in fear, let us lean in with courage and determination to see clearly and choose wisely.