Chaos as Primal Energy
- davidwperk
- Nov 27, 2023
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, November 27, 2023
Proper 29, the week of the last Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
3:1For then, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem 2I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into judgment with them there, on account of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations.. . . .14Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. 16The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake. But the LORD is a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 17So you shall know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it
You will find the full text of today’s Old Testament reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Reading (BCP, 994)
AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48
Joel 3:1-2,9-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12
David's Reflections
William Bridges, in his classic book on transition, wrote, "Chaos is not a mess, but rather it is the primal state of pure energy to which the person returns for every true new beginning.” * Before God’s creative work began, according to Genesis 1, all was formless and void like a vast, windswept ocean in darkness. New creation emerges out of similar chaotic conditions. Could that be the message God has for us during a period of deprivation and chaos, even chaos that has arisen as a result of our own choices and behaviors? Could there be primal, spiritual energy within that chaos that will propel us forward into a new beginning? We’re emerging from the worst of the COVID chaos looking for a new beginning and harvesting the learnings of the chaos period.
Joel uttered his prophecies after the people of Judah had returned from exile in Babylon and had begun rebuilding their devastated country. culture, and religion. The Temple had been restored but not to its former glory. They were suffering privations and enduring conflicts with neighbors.
Joel's vision penetrated beyond those struggles to the day when God would complete the work of salvation and usher in those hoped-for days of deliverance. He described the coming "Day of the Lord." Jesus' coming fanned those same hopes several centuries later, and his followers drew from Joel’s language and images to describe the effect of Jesus' coming and the advent of God's kingly rule through his life, death, and resurrection. (See for example, Joel 2:28-29, cited in Acts 2.)
We can take encouragement from the underlying message about God that these texts elicit. This prophetic oracle reveals a God who desires that we not live in chaos and deprivation, but rather that our lives reflect God’s bounty and care. Joel proclaimed a God who desires peace and wholeness for us. Even when our own irresponsibility and obstinacy have wrought chaos in our lives, turning to God in faith will bring us into renewed bounty and wholeness.
We may still have consequences to live into and through. The people of Judah could not go back prior to their exile into Babylon. They could only build on the ruins of that past. But, the richness of God's loving care turns the consequences of our past into spiritual disciplines that enrich our lives. Even material deprivation or poor health will not diminish our sense of fullness and blessing.
Consider these verses from today's reading: "3:1For then, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem." And, consider this verse in the context immediately prior to today's reading. "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten." (Joel 2:25).
"Chaos is not a mess, but rather it is the primal state of pure energy to which the person returns for every true new beginning.” *
*William Bridges, Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1980), p. 119.
Collect of the Day, Proper 29, the Last Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of C. S. Lewis, apologist and spiritual writer (died 22 Nov 1963).
Collect of the Feast of C. S. Lewis
O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike; Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
For the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 258)
In the Evening
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Old Testament Reading, Joel 3:1-2,9-17
3:1For then, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into judgment with them there, on account of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations. They have divided my land,
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare war, stir up the warriors. Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up. 10Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weakling say, "I am a warrior." 11Come quickly, all you nations all around, gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD. 12Let the nations rouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the neighboring nations. 13Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the wine press is full. The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. 14Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. 16The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shake. But the LORD is a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 17So you shall know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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