I have long been fascinated by the concept of entropy - this rule spanning physics, sociology, chemistry and all spheres of life that nature is winding down, the batteries are draining, disorder is a default direction. Endless research has confirmed the bizarre reality of this universal deterioration at play...it baffles many world-class scientists. It's as if the entire cosmos was established in interdependent perfection and then was cracked, and it's been leaking its mojo ever since.Eventually, this intrigue with entropy progressed from an external fascination to a more significant function of everything. You can't save time - it evaporates like the morning fog before a raging sun. You can't preserve relationships at the ideal zenith point - the illusion of stationary suspension of desirable states is consistently left in shambles. Mountain top experiences meet their descent into the next valley.
So often I have tried to approach life, marriage, finances, personal health and ultimately my interaction with God in a way that denies entropy. I attempt to "save," "get ahead," "invest," and stockpile units for either longer term or independent use. It doesn't work. Yesterday rarely comes to my defense in the Today or Tomorrow.
There's a vibe of independent resistance deep within me that finds full abandon in the dependent relationship with the Father as a perpetual mode intolerable. As a result, I am caught in this cycle of engaging God in truly invigorating
ways, and then proceeding to act as though I have charged up my temporary rechargeable batteries sufficiently to run awhile apart from the Source. I am inclined to practice a life model that resembles GM's hopeful Volt - celebrating the ability to go just "a little farther" before needing to be recharged. As I trudge down the road delighting in my ability to keep moving despite an energy gauge reading "100%....90%....80%....70%..."Entropy. It's like the whole game is rigged to fail. Sure, we can buy another round, but the house always wins. Whenever I see energy slipping away, it makes me wonder...what source is disconnected? What delusion am I operating under?
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...so that no man may boast before God...Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me...
While respecting the term limits associated with contributions from Phlebotomists, if I were to have written a second entry on Energy it would have been...
ReplyDeleteEnergy: hope in motion
There is a behavioral and intrinsic association between energy and perceived hope. A once slow moving camel can erupt into a full gallop at the sight of water. The prospect of winning or achieving something nearly within reach or probability can result in a surge of energy otherwise unknown or unavailable.
The converse is also consistent. A lack of any light at the end of the tunnel compounds the rate of energy depletion..."no hope" are words that are almost as tiring to bear as the actual labor of any task. It's as if the burden or cost of the entire perceived future is born in the present moment when hope is lost.
I got married in college. For the last 2 years I worked 50 hrs/wk, took 18 credits and we commuted with 1 car. My lovely bride had a similar load. A typical day was leaving at 6:30am, getting back after 10pm, homework until midnight, rinse-lather-repeat. 2 years. It sounds awful but we had a blast. We learned a lot, prospered, grew, and covered a lot of territory concurrently. We had a destination, a clear picture of what and why were were going for and the implied hope of a terminal point.
Fast forward to any context of similar demands without the element of purposeful direction and anticipated ending point and it's awful.
Yet, when hope is regained - when the heavens open, bursting forth light, perspective and relief unexpectedly there is again a resurrection of energy.
The early Church seemed to spread like wildfire - an unquenchable energy fueled advancement beyond any opposition. Ironically, the mission was also known as "this Great Hope."
Are you energized or drained? How would you rank the hope around your present situation? Perhaps theirs a coefficient of hope factor?