Focus on the Baby

One of my nieces gave birth to a beautiful baby a couple of weeks ago.  The whole family is excited and photos of the baby are flying through the cloud filling our phones and electronic devices with the innocent amazing image of a human being. 

Meanwhile, I was distracted by the civil war in Iraq, the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the flood of undocumented children crossing the border into the U.S., the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine (again), and the World Cup competitions.  Who wins?  Who loses?  Who belongs?  Who doesn’t belong?  Who has control over which land?  Who has the right to claim what?  Who lives?  Who dies?   These questions overwhelm me causing me to feel hopeless for a moment. 

But then I stop and say to myself, “Focus on the baby.  Focus on the baby!” Things become simpler when we focus on the baby.  A baby puts everything in perspective.   A baby is disarming simply because she is completely trusting and dependent on the people around her.  A baby doesn’t care about whether he is documented or not.   A baby does not ask whether she belongs or not.  A baby just belongs.  A baby looks at you and you know you have to share and give.  A baby may seem completely helpless and yet a baby somehow sustains the people around him.  Hold a baby in your arms and you will know what I mean.  

Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Matthew 11:25-26)

A baby reminds us of the wisdom that somehow was lost when we became adults.  This wisdom is that we, human beings, belong to each other and we are to sustain each other.  So, focus on the baby!

 

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: July 14-18, 2014 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training August 8-9, 2014 Seattle, WA Holy Currencies Orientation September 3-4, 2014 Chicago, IL KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training November 16-20, 2014 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries Register at:  www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for Proper 9 (Year A): Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67    How does this passage challenge your ideas about courtship and marriage? Psalm 45:11-18  What does a royal wedding have to do with God? Song of Solomon 2:8-13   Why do you think this love poem is in the Bible? Zechariah 9:9-12   How does this passage challenge your idea of God? Psalm 145:8-15   How does the concept of God relate to you in this Psalm? Romans 7:15-25a   In what ways do you identify with the struggle of the writer of this text? Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30   How can you see and hear the truth like an infant again?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org