Which Chaos is the Correct Chaos?

Our nation is living in chaos. What is more, we the people argue incessantly which chaos is the correct chaos. 

Regardless of your opinion (or lack thereof) of Jonathan Rauch, he addresses this issue, speaking truth in an article in The Atlantic:

“Chaos syndrome is a chronic decline in the political system’s capacity for self-organization. It begins with the weakening of the institutions and brokers—political parties, career politicians, and congressional leaders and committees—that have historically held politicians accountable to one another and prevented everyone in the system from pursuing naked self-interest all the time. As these intermediaries’ influence fades, politicians, activists, and voters all become more individualistic and unaccountable. The system atomizes. Chaos becomes the new normal—both in campaigns and in the government itself.” 

He goes on to say . . . 

“Like many disorders, chaos syndrome is self-reinforcing. It causes governmental dysfunction, which fuels public anger, which incites political disruption, which causes yet more governmental dysfunction. Reversing the spiral will require understanding it.” 

This “new normal” is tearing us apart. When I say “us,” I mean as a planet, as nations, as communities, and as individuals. The present chaos has wreaked havoc on our relationships with friends andenemies. It is splitting our very souls into chaotic fragments. You know it is bad when you see, read, and eat chaos for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as a bedtime snack. Our political digestive systems have gone septic. 

This infection is not one sided. “’It’s important for people to understand that extremists on both sides of the political spectrum are exploiting this latest situation for their own causes to recruit and radicalize,’ explained Daryl Johnson, a former domestic terrorism analyst at the Department of Homeland Security and founder of DT Analytics.” (Sinclair Broadcast Group) We are all caught up in the chaotic spiral. I hope you notice in the picture below that even though the clusters on the left and the clusters on the right are pointing fingers at each other, they are all traveling down the spiral. 

One point, however, remains clear and indisputable: God is not chaotic. In a New Testament passage we read, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace . . . “ (1Corinthians 14:33a NIV) Chaos is disorder. Regardless of our polarized religious positions, chaos is Not-God. If our religion promotes chaos, then it is not of God. 

So what do we do? Where do we go? Once again, I find hope in scripture. In an Old Testament text we read, “Ifmypeople, whoarecalledby myname, will humble themselves and pray and seek myface and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)  How do we flesh this out? I propose the following processes. 

Admit that none of us sees the whole picture. Einstein supposedly claimed to know about one half of one percent of all there is to know (0.5%). Given weknow nothing about the other 99.5%, is it possible we do not know enough to cling to and argue for just a few pieces of chaotic knowledge? 

Admit that chaos, regardless of its spiritual and religious affiliations, is still chaos. God is truth and expects us to approach him and life in orderly truth. If what we cling to promotes discord and violence, and shatters peace, then it is chaos. Reject chaos. 

When we argue which side of the spiral is the correct side, we admit we are on the spiral. When I argue that I am not being defensive, I am being defensive. When we argue we are not caught up in the spiral, it is because we cannot see the spiral while in its midst. Recognizing the spiral is a step in the right direction. 

We must distance ourselves from all sides in order to grasp the nature of what is transpiring. When we are in the thick of the chaotic swirl, we cannot see the vortex itself. Step back, observe, listen, and contemplate. 

Recognize that the vortex is a downward spiral. It is not part of an evolutionary advancement. It is a degradation of humanity. It is the wide road, not the narrow one. 

Repent of our pseudo-omniscience and arrogant perspectives. God calls us to humble ourselves by truly admitting we know so very little. The Chronicles text quoted above calls us to humble ourselves: to shut up our arrogant voices and turn on our spiritual ears. 

Pray for our nation and its leaders. I pray mostly for those leaders I tend to despise. Every one of us, including me, needs grace. None of us is beyond the grasp of grace. 

Lord have mercy on planet Earth. Lord have mercy on its countries. Lord have mercy on our leaders. Lord have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on me.

– Sam Augsburger

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