I love the line in a current worship song, “He brings our chaos back into order.” The universe began in chaos, formless and void, until he spoke it into being, with order. Enough order for us to design smart phones and sent rockets to Saturn, and, well, you get it. God also does that in our lives—we simultaneously head in different directions with contradictory goals, and he brings consistency so we can be productive. But…
If we value order too much, we may limit our growth. Our opportunities. Our chances to trust God more. Sometimes, our desire that things must be just so springs from a desire to control our lives, to keep them safe and predictable. Like the houses in the pic above. We may yearn to play life safe, with carefully controlled limits. The importance of order grows too strong, and becomes chains instead of a foundation to build on. We often see the concepts of change and chaos as kissing cousins.
I knew life in Long Beach, where I grew up, and could navigate it well. But I left what felt comfortable, and God dropped me into Taos, a change that transformed my life. Positively. A little chaotic going into a totally different culture with no job in sight. But nice results.
Don’t get me wrong, we need order, and it gives a confident foundation for stretching ourselves. But little progress comes when we too tightly cling to safe order. We trust more in ourselves and our safe situation than in God’s ability to use us.
So, when change appears on our horizon, maybe we should develop an openness to embrace it rather than resist it. God might bring you your Taos.
Kick Starting the Application
What do you most like about order? About chaos? Why? How often do you intentionally dip your toe into chaos? Think of a time when God nudged you out of safe order into a bit of chaos. How did that work, what did you learn about stretching yourself? What influence did it have on your faith? What step toward wise chaos might you be ready to take?