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Morning Reflection
May 9, 2025
Preface:
In 1973, Frederick Beuchner wrote a small book called Wishful Thinking. The subtitle of the first edition was A Theological ABC. The format of the book was like a dictionary. It consisted entirely of religious terms commonly used by people of faith, and for every entry Beuchner wrote a short, insightful description – one that was more intriguing than strictly defining and more observational than prescriptive. The book was hugely successful, and it gave theology, which many people avoid like a plague, an inviting and compelling presentation.
Fifteen years later, Beuchner published a companion volume entitled Whistling in the Dark. Its subtitle was An ABC Theologized. In this book, Beuchner selected terms of cultural and public interest – the topics that people naturally talk about – and he commented on them from a theological point of view. His reflections were neither heavy-handed nor dogmatic. Instead, he found an illuminating way to bring faith – and even God – into conversation.
Both books are still in print. In them Beuchner showed the art of thinking, speaking, and writing from two distinct directions. And by doing so, he made faith integral to life.
For the five years that we’ve distributed meditations, Scripture has been their singular starting point; but I’m aware that there are many issues and concerns, specific to our time, that are never explicitly mentioned in Scripture and that, nonetheless, deserve theologically-informed comment. Periodically, then, in place of Devotions, we will offer Reflections that address these matters. Hopefully, they will both broaden and deepen the reach of faith and how it can appropriately be included in the general conversation of life.
All That Falls Short.
"For as long as I can remember, my world has revolved around racing. The intense routine, the sacrifice, the search for constant improvement, the hunger to win; it's been my rhythm, my identity. But what once felt like everything to me no longer does.”
Caleb Ewan: a professional cyclist announcing his immediate retirement on Monday
This comment received a lot of accolades, particularly from those who understand just how consuming and punishing professional sports can be. They can wear one down. And there comes a time for every sports celebrity when, no matter how hard one works, his or her peak performances are definitely behind them. It takes courage to be honest about this. No one likes to admit that his or her trajectory has turned inevitably downward.
What caught my eye, however, was not Ewan’s realization that his most admired skills were diminishing. It was the question implicit in his final statement: are there any passions in life that can “feel like everything” and yet not eventually suffer diminution? Are there desires that never cease increasing? And if there are, wouldn’t we be better off pursuing and developing these?
When the Scriptures speak about things that are eternal, our quick presumption is that this is a reference to time, of things never coming to an end. I’m not at all sure that I know what this truly means. I don’t know how to picture this. But the eternal can also refer to things that have no bottom, and that can’t be mastered, and that time continually opens and advances – things that can feel like “everything” and that “everything” only continues to increase. Love can be like this: not love as a sentiment, which can be frail and disappointed; but, differently, love of God, which is a discipline and an exploration and an adventure. I can experience the mystery of this. I can feel that eternality in my bones.
I am old enough to have experienced diminishments, and with this certain passions have been tempered and various interests have waned. But I have often been surprised by the inexhaustibility of the grace, hope and love that form the heart of faith. It feeds not my ego but my soul.
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