Desolation and consolation: we cycle through both of these, constantly, endlessly. This is a part of being human.

How does God experience this cycle? Is there also an ongoing divine wheel of loss and rebirth, dissolution and reintegration? Would this not be a necessary part of the nature of God? How could God function in relationship with us if s/he lacked this most foundational of human experiences?

I can imagine God experiences desolation in the unraveling of creation: while struggling to reach the woman drowning in her attic in New Orleans during Katrina, while pleading with both sides to stop the senseless carnage of war, while listening to yet another political ad whose purpose is to distort and twist truth, to win at any cost, sacrificing respect, civility, dignity. God works for good; we–without gratitude or awareness–undo the good. God's own dark night of the soul.

And what about consolation? Where do God's creatures step in and step up? When they embody the Spirit of Christ. When neighbors band together to rebuild each others' homes and broken hearts; when people cross boundaries to listen, learn and find common ground; when humility replaces arrogance, love trumps ego, forgiveness overcomes self-justification; when fists once clenched open and reach out. God works for good; then, with awe and appreciation, we intensify that good. God on the mountaintop. God, once again, surveying creation and summing it up: "Yes, it's very good."

Text and image © 2010 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.