This, I Believe

Something that came across one of my socials this afternoon that made me cry. It’s not the first time I’ve gotten emotional in light of a current event and it won’t be the last. I’m no longer shocked or outraged by things in this world—nothing surprises me anymore. Mostly, I’m grieved and left wondering how much further western society can fall before everything comes crashing down around us. Sometimes, my heart aches and I need to release like I did earlier today.

As a practice, I limit my exposure to news that either a) I don’t trust (read: most of it) or b) puts things in my mind that serve no healthy purpose. I need to cut back even farther. I work at responding, not reacting, to what I read or see. More often than not, I say nothing at all. Increasingly, I wonder about that. When is it past time to stay quiet? Are we there yet? Is the fact that we have not spoken up part of the reason why we are where we are?

I believe it’s going to get worse.

I believe there are unseen powers wreaking havoc in the world on behalf of an enemy, and recognizing those schemes for what they are is crucial.

I believe that shouting into a void serves no useful purpose.

I believe I ought to look in the mirror and examine myself rather than be quick to point my finger at someone else. (I also believe I’m not always very good at doing this.)

I believe in maintaining focus on immutable truth.

I believe that we were created in the image of a divine creator. Every one of us loved with an ineffable love.

I believe in the words of the Nicene Creed, which we say as a body of believers on Sunday morning at the church we attend.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.