Anchored in Love

Many people, myself included, are feeling anxious and unanchored these days as we are dealing with chaos on many fronts, particularly the spread of the COVID-19 virus with its attendant disruption in work, schooling, worship, and family/cultural rituals; the U.S. election; and massive wildfires and hurricanes.

From ancient times, people of faith have looked to God to be their anchor, as seen in the scriptures, which are full of imagery of God as rock, refuge and shield. For example, Psalm 18 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

At the same time, it appears that we have a God who, as theologian and scientist Teilhard de Chardin says, is at home with incompleteness, chaos, and complexity. God created humans with infinite capabilities for change and creativity, so during our human life span, we can never be said to be “complete.” We on earth often experience the chaos of storms, earthquakes, and war. Every being experiences complexity through  the makeup of our bodies and through our relationships. How can a God who is at home with incompleteness, chaos, and complexity be our anchor?

To be an anchor, refuge, or shield does not require wholeness, stability, and simplicity. Rather, it requires presence, patience, and dedication—in shorthand, “love.” It is because we know God is present to us, devoted to us, and patient with us that we can turn to God when we are feeling overwhelmed. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Cor 13:7-8). God did all this for us through Jesus and continues to be our rock, our refuge, and our stronghold through the challenges and struggles of our days.

It is natural to be anxious and weary in times of great change and uncertainty. However, if God is comfortable with incompleteness, chaos, and complexity, we should have faith that all will be well when we ourselves face these aspects of life. We are safe in the hands of the One who loved us into being and will forever sustain us in love.