A Seizmic Shift

Have you gotten caught up in the “April the Giraffe” event?  It seems that this giraffe is pregnant and they have set up a “giraffe cam” for all to be able to tune in to the last weeks of her pregnancy through the birth and early days of the young giraffe (yet to be names!).  Some are avidly watching this in their every available moment, commenting freely about her movements, etc.  As an aside, I believe this is a great distraction from the many frightening cares of our world.

I looked in on April last evening and she is very close to giving birth.  All her baby weight is now centered between her hips, making her very ungainly and awkward as she paces the birthing stall.  She looks as though she could split in two!  She is undergoing a seizmic shift and being rent for the sake of new life.

This week, as we listen to the scriptures of Jesus arrest, death and ultimately his resurrection, we hear that at the time of Jesus’ death, the curtain in the temple was ripped from top to bottom and the earth shook.  There was reported to be a great rending for the sake of new life.

If you have ever been in an earthquake or witnessed the aftermath or even seen photos you are certainly aware of the power of such an event.  It is amazing to me that very ground on which we stand and upon which we have built buildings and even whole cities could break open and cause collapse and ruin.  When viewing footage of earthquake damage, it is hard to imagine this rending of the earth could give birth to anything new and hopeful.

And yet it happens.  Flowers bloom and healing happens.  Rebuilding with more creative designs and more fail safe architecture is possible.  Those poorest among us whose lives are in ruins are often aided by the generous hearts of people around the world.  It takes patience, a lot of time and creative responses from many to birth something new.  And I think that a new and different future is almost never imagined at the time of the quake.

This week we remember when the earth shook and God rent the heavens in grief and sorrow for the purpose of bringing new life to the creation God so loved.  There was fear, denial, pain and disbelief before there was hope of something new.  This is the space we are in. We are experiencing a seizmic shift.  We are on the edge of something new and hopeful.  We are being pushed to the point of breaking into two by this new life wanting to be born.  Where do you see it happening? Where do you believe it is most needed?  What will you pray for in these most holy days?