Dreaming God's Dream for the World

Synchronicity. You may have heard the word. It means a coincidence of events that seem related but are not directly caused one by the other. People who experience synchronicity often walk away convinced something much greater than random coincidence is at work in our world. It’s not exactly the old “God has a plan for each of us” formula. It’s more like sensing a force of intention in which we all move and have our being. Difficult to put in words, but real just the same.

Spirituality is making a comeback in America. For many people the old salvation formula built on ancient Israel’s cult of animal sacrifice is no longer sufficient. Many people of faith, including Christians, feel themselves in harmony with a purposeful, optimistic and spiritual energy that flows throughout the world. That energy is always there for us if we will only open our eyes. When we do, synchronicity is revealed.

Spiritual presence is a continuum. It doesn’t come or go; it is always at hand, wherever you may be. Jesus called this spiritual dimension the kingdom of heaven and even Jesus resorted to metaphor and parable to describe it. I think of it as a river always in motion, always nearby, welcoming us in.

But we do have a choice. We can choose to stay on the river bank, to turn our backs and stare into the woods, or we can wade into the waters and see where they will take us. When we do, we find that much of what we dream is dreamed by others. In fact, the dream begins not with any one of us but in a greater dream shared by all. Synchronicity: Sharing in God’s dream for the world.

Of course, coincidence should not be dismissed. This is the trap believers fall into when they see God’s “hand” guiding every little event and outcome. On occasion a series of coincidental events will conspire to produce a predictable conclusion. This may be the case for me in this blog. But who knows? Maybe this is the time and place where these words are to be written, and I am the one given over to writing them. If you are a believer, maybe this is your time to hear them. If I look at it that way, there’s quite a responsibility to get it right, but also quite a force assuring I will. So here goes.

A frequent reader of Mr. B’s Christian Counter Culture took me to task over my most recent blog, criticizing me for too frequently picturing Jesus as a political activist standing up to the power structure of his day. Why not more of the compassionate, reconciling Jesus? Why not the Christ who forgives all, who rejects none? Fair enough. I won’t deny that also is a true picture of Jesus. Then Sunday in our worship service we sang the old standard Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. If you’ve ever been a church-goer you know the hymn. One of our members felt its confrontational, almost militaristic tone was out of step with who we are. We are a reconciling, affirming congregation. Our motto is, “Wherever you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” The hymn “sounds like the crusades,” the member complained. “It's all military and strength, not a thing about love, compassion, justice, forgiveness or even praise.”

"Depends on how you read the words," I replied. I was thinking of Barry Goldwater’s words: “…let me remind you that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Shouldn’t we be militant in defense of the values Christ taught, values such as peace, equality, justice, mercy, compassion? Should we sit by in moderation, trying to be reconcilers while others reject and scorn reconciliation? Should we practice acceptance, accepting even those who refuse to accept anyone outside the mainstream? Jesus said turn the other cheek to those who slap us, but what if the one being slapped is not us but another too weak to endure the slap?

I thought again of that valued reader who said too often I dwell on the confrontational Jesus. What about Jesus the teacher who said, “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth,” and “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” And what about the mystic Jesus whose ministry began one day in the Jordan River when God’s Spirit descended on him like a dove. In that moment he was changed and became one with God’s great dream for the world.

Is it synchronicity or mere coincidence that when lessons are to be learned, teachers come along? Here in this place of thinking and speaking out that I call Mr. B’s Christian Counter Culture, we can take a lesson as well as give one. So here’s what I’ve learned: There are many faces to this Jesus of Nazareth, this Jesus Christ by whose name we are known. He is teacher, mystic, political activist. Some days it is good to sit and listen to his words, other days are good for feeling the calming peace of God’s spirit, and still others are good for putting on the armor of justice and taking to the field.