Divine Order 2
January 22, 2025
Divine Order Part 2
What is the difference between Divine order and human order?
In 1929 Edwin Hubble observed that galaxies moved further apart, indicating an expanding universe. He learned that fact by calculating changes in the length of light rays sent from objects in distant galaxies. That our universe is expanding is known as Hubble's Law. If we look at Divine Order through the lens of the laws of physics, we see that Divine Order has properties of expansion and transformation.
Divine order has many other properties, the most fundamental of which is Love. Love is the "why" behind Divine Order. Love is the greatest power in the universe, perpetuating the expansion and evolution of the cosmos, which goes all the way from the infinite skies down to our individual lives. Love is not simply a sentimental or romantic feeling. Rather, as the supreme universal force, it ultimately creates wholeness and harmony in everything.
Obviously, on the geophysical plane, this force includes changing seasons, the sun's warmth, and the soft rains that water the crops. However, the force of Love also contains volcanos, tsunamis, tornados, fires, hurricanes, and more. How is it possible that destructive forces could be forms of Love? This is a very challenging question to answer. It can be reduced to another foundational question: How can death be a form of Love? One answer is that because there is death, we value the time we are given. And because we value our limited lives, we value those we love and others. Because of death, we search for life's meaning, our priorities, and balance. We take care of each other because we know death happens not to others but to all of us. As for the suffering and death of innocents and children, I have yet to receive an understanding.
On the spiritual plane, the force of Love includes things like the spiritual seasons of life, the warmth between souls, and our nurturing of one another. It also contains eruptions of anger and all manner of washing and burning away of people and things. How can the latter be called a form of Love? We will consider this question in the next reflection.
Spiritual practice: How would you state your own understanding of how suffering and death could be considered part of Divine Order?
Self-inquiry: Is the force of Love expanding in you?
Dear God,
Increase in me, trust in your order even when it goes against my ego's sense of order. Amen
