I am writing this latest blog, in our series on what we can learn from the world's great religions, from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Yesterday, I saw one of the most unique images in my life: Palestinian musicians playing a British tune on Scottish bagpipes in an ancient Roman amphitheater in the center of the Arab world. And then, from overhead, a military transport helicopter flew low over the amphitheater to land nearby to drop off relatives of the royal family.
What an incredible world we live in.
We were touring the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash, which are truly spectacular. We wondered among temples dedicated to Zeus and Dionysus, visited several churches from the 5th and 6th century A.D. and heard regular calls to prayer from various mosques throughout the city - all within a stone's throw of each other. As we journeyed, I was struck by two things.
First, the passing of times, and kingdoms, and civilizations is inevitable. Only the abiding presence of God is constant.
Second, the world has always been, and always will be, a dynamic place. Cultures and religions have always bumped up against each other, and they will continue to do so. Sometimes those bumps have resulted in wars or other acts of violence. Sometimes, they manifest themselves - almost unconsciously - in the music of Palestinian musicians on Scottish bagpipes.
What does this mean to the question of faith and life balance?
God works through us, throughout the ages, in many and mysterious ways. He forces us together, into relationship, so that we make see the full truth of God's grace. If we can be open to these relationships, to see God's grace within them, we may well find a greater understanding of faith within ourselves. And with that understanding, of God's presence in all of us - regardless of our culture differences - may come the balance that we all seek in the world.
