Divergent Paths
At one of our son's home the other morning I happened to step out the front door and look up in time to see this: Three jets on divergent paths, each with a vapor trail marking their route away from the others. In the cold morning sunshine it took me a few moments to recognize what was happening above me, then a few moments more to open my cell phone for a couple of pictures. After looking into the sun shining brightly in my screen and hoping upon hope the camera had captured the action in the skies over my head, I stepped back and watched all three aircraft go their own way and wondered where they were going and from whence they had come.
When first I spotted them, they appeared so close that it fleetingly crossed my mind that they might have each just appeared there, then started from a mutually agreed upon point in the sky. That is what made me stop and watch them. Yes, I know it was all an optical illusion, that in reality they had thousands of feet, maybe even miles between them. Yet, from my earthbound observation point it appeared, they appeared to have come from wherever it was they had come, rendezvoused for an instant, then chose to continue their journey, each on a divergent path. Reflecting upon that from an air safety standpoint, I am fairly certain the FAA was pleased that such a meeting was without incident and all went safely on their prescribed flight plan but, aircraft safety and vapor trail memories not withstanding, is it not what transpires at where our lives intersect which make for the memories we have? Or is it more about the divergent paths our lives take? And, just for conversation's sake, what of the near misses of which we have absolutely no idea until hindsight reveals our close encounter?
The Biblical narrative is full of such convergent, divergent and near-miss moments in the course of human history. Some would suggest that much of what is recorded in the Biblical account is the human perspective of Divine interaction. Others call it pure coincidence. Even others would maintain that humanity redacts events and history as they choose, as best fits their purposes and needs. Me?
My faith tells me there is much more to know that what we can see, more from which to learn than what we can possess, and more from which to gain wisdom than we can ever fully understand. Plainly said, God is bigger than my capacity to understand all things, including convergent, divergent and near-miss moments in life. Thank You, God. Still, you can be certain, even that claim of faith does not prevent me from mulling over the happenings on this earth, such as vapor trail pilgrimages.
Profound Laughter fills the Heavens every time humanity makes a claim of a 'singular truth', however scientifically proven or religiously held dear. Just ask Abraham and Sarah about their capacity to have children, or consult with Moses of his forever being a sheep-herder, or sit with Pharaoh talking of power the morning after Passover. Talk with King David about who has true authority, or with Solomon about the fullness of Wisdom, or with the Israelite nation concerning being the 'chosen' - as their remnant walks the road to Babylon. Study the habit of God to emerge from lowly places, to span the chasm of our disbelief with the arrival of Magi, or to quiet our fear with angelic voices. Ponder, if you can, the birthing, life and baptismal work of John, or the brood of vipers who surrounded him, or the certainty of religious leaders in the face of Jesus' teachings, even as a Child in the Temple. Pray on the plan to mute God's Voice with a cross, to corner and control God's Spirit with an institution, or to manage human freedom with threats of excommunication or death.
God is bigger than my capacity to understand all things, including convergent, divergent and near-miss moments in life. So, for today, I will thank God that those jets whose flight plans seemingly brought them to converge above me were safely guided on divergent paths towards their ultimate destinations. Gratitude fills my heart that, like those in those streamlined airliners of comfort and convenience, few of us will ever know how close to death we have come or how near to experiencing the depths of our mortality in grief we daily are. God goes before us, behind us, in us, through us, above us, underneath us in all things.
God is not the Divine puppet-master, but is our Divine Companion and Completion of all which transpires in the human condition, whatever direction we may go. Just pause and consider the vapor trail of your own life and that of others - then look at the cross and empty tomb and be assured, God knows your challenges, accepts our brokenness and redeems our short-sightedness in Peace which has no end.
Look to the skies and ponder with me and, as you do, be humbled with Elijah by the Sheer Silence of a God whose Voice resounds in birthing and pondering with you, as well. It is all truly . . .
Something to ponder on the journey.
