The thought of relativity crossed my mind one day while I was at church. Knowing that relativity is a physics concept discovered by Einstein, I decided to refresh my memory on its scientific meaning. In simple terms, relativity is how one observer in one reference frame views another observer or happening in another reference frame. The two main components that change are time and length. More scientifically, relativity is "the dependence of various physical phenomena on relative motion of the observer and the observed objects, especially regarding the nature and behavior of light, space, time, and gravity." (Oxford Languages)
Now, when I think about relativity as it relates to life, my mind starts swirling as I contemplate the sheer quantity of references frames that exists when one thinks of individual people, groups, families, organizations, ideologies, and the wide range of natural demographics like age, sex, race, culture, address/location, education, occupation, religion, hobbies, interests, politics, and family structure. Each and every person, quite literally, has his or her own way of viewing or observing everything. Over the span of an individual’s life, his or her reference frame or schema is shaped, but it is not constant because of the various phases of life, each with its own distinct parameters and events. It is utterly amazing that with this enormous amount of diversity that the world as we know it functions. It’s no wonder many moments of conflict and chaos exists.
BUT the miracle is that the world does function despite the chaotic clashes. WHY? The only possible answer is the absolute genius of God Himself. God brings form and cohesiveness to our relativity. (Opinion here, opinion there, opinions everywhere!) HOW? With the Absolute Truth. God is the Truth. Whether we know it or not, that’s what all of life and the world as we know it centers around - God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If you want to know what’s true, notice what seems to be attacked the most. God, as Elohim, our Creator, gives order to our disorder, to our chaos. For those who love Him, he works out everything for our good (Romans 8:28). For every human, He demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23). “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
At present in 2020, chaos seems to prevail in one way or another - COVID_19, Racism, Politics, Weather, ... But even in the midst of all that is happening concurrently, God is El Elyon, the Lord Most High! He is our joy when we want to just curl up and cry and lock the door. He is the answer to every single prayer. He is absolutely faithful. Even now, He demonstrates His omnipotence, His omniscience, His omnipresence, His transcendence, and especially His immanence. JEHOVAH God is the reference frame that yields the proper view for all other reference frames. He is our Standard. And oh, how I love Him! WHY? Because He first loved us and keeps on loving us. No matter what happens on this side of heaven, He is our hope, now and forevermore. Glory be to His Name! In the battles that come from the crises of life, He is able to give us victory as Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shalom, ADONAI, and Yahweh Tsuri. Our hope is in His unrelenting love and in His majesty as the One who reigns for all eternity (El Olam).
Dear LORD,
Let your reference frame be my/our reference frame. I choose to deny my flawed views and submit to the way in which you see everything. Thank you for giving order to our disorder through the miraculous power and presence of the Holy Spirit in us and among us. Thank you keeping us and for forgiving us and for rebuking us and for correcting us. Thank you, LORD, for loving us and causing the whole world in 2020 to recognize your Sovereignty and your compassion. I am in awe of how YOU are changing each every man-made paradigm that existed in years past with this global pandemic. Thank you for causing the whole world to stop or pause to see how far short we as a whole fall of your glory. Unite us anew, O LORD. Replace our fears with faith and trust in You. Teach us to love You totally and to love others just as You have taught us to and demonstrated to us in Your Word. LORD, we need you. Heal us and mend us.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.