I recently attended a church workshop where I was introduced to the acronym VUCA – have you ever heard of it? I certainly hadn’t. It was coined by the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania to describe the emotional state of our country after the events of 9-11.
We are living in a VUCA World:
Volatility
Uncertainty
Complexity
Ambiguity
Everything we believed true and safe and sacred was turned upside down. What we as Americans thought could never happen – did happen. Our lives were no longer untouched by unfair, unjustified, horrific events.
That is on the grand scale; now let me bring it down to me personally. My own “9-11” event occurred a little over two years ago. I in no way mean to imply the impact or intensity were equal to what happened in 2001; they were not. But in my small corner of the world, life was turned upside down! Everything I had been taught was right and fair and honorable crumbled, as did the Twin Towers. My safe, predictable life had gone down a road I never would have pictured. I am beginning to understand it was a turning point, a crossroads, if you will, on how I look at life. But I get to choose if I stay stuck in my VUCA World or if I look at it through a new set of lenses!
We probably all have a personal “9-11” life event, whether it is connected to health, family, job, money etc. We didn’t deserve it, it is unfair, but bam! - there it is smack dab in the middle of our neatly ordered little world!
And yet – and yet – I am convinced God is right there in the thick of things with us. I look back over these two years and remember phone calls coming when I was most discouraged, recall the cards and e-mails from friends telling me I was not alone, feel the hugs when words were not enough to express the deep caring, and sense the calm as my dear dogs sat quietly by my side with a reassuring “It will be ok, mom!”
God has never been absent, even though I question it time and time again. Not only is He not absent, His love covers me in times of greatest need. A friend sent this photo, which encapsulates what my ramblings have been trying to convey. This is a vision I will hold on to when my head starts veering off into the VUCA World!
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Carol, This blog is very uplifting. Receiving it while I come and go from work enlivens my spirit and reminds me that I can let go of some of the tension I carry as I navigate what life seems to dish out. This Lent I am journeying with the Israelites in Exodus. I am stirred by the miracles, safety and song, bitter waters, hunger, enough manna, and God's voice throughout. Despite having a pillar of fire and cloud visually reminding them of God's presence, they still felt so much fear and grumbling guts. I'm trying to figure out how to let God sweeten and provide for areas that bring me more bitterness than I want to admit and more fear than actually seems necessary. Despite amazing miracles I have experienced--I mean for heaven's sake I am a cancer survivor-- I am still so easily dismayed by the VUCA that seems inevitable. At times I worry that I am even more vulnerable than ever and feel guilt because it would seem that my faith would stronger not more fragile. But, that wasn't the case with the Israelites either. How quickly life can overwhelm and cause dismay!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say out loud I compare one of my life experiences to the events of our countries 911 but if I am really honest I know exactly what is being said about a personal "911". Almost twenty years ago I went through my own "911" experience. I thought I would not survive and at times did not care if I did or not.
ReplyDeleteI learned about the strength, courage, friendship and most of all God's GRACE. I found strength and courage I never knew I had. I was held up by friends and family who never left my side. When I found myself in the pit full of hopelessness and utter fear I found God.
Later I realized God was the strength and courage inside me, God spoke through my family and friends and the Holy Spirit held me when I was in that dark pit.
One never chooses to go through events such as these but I know I am a more complete person who knows she is loved beyond measure because of it.