blowin' in the wind

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously ... But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6)

"Anxiety.  Instead of connecting with God, our spirits fly around like severed power lines, destroying everything they touch."  (Miller, A Praying Life, p70) Coming off a very restful vacation, I'm wondering why life can't always be this relaxed?  Why, as Dylan suggests, is life laced with so many worries - wars, slavery, ignorance, complicity - that leave us feeling wind-tossed?  Why does it seem that I more often encounter James's storm-tossed seas than still waters?  As I reflect, I think the biggest difference is that I refuse to engage with the realities of life while on vacation; I take a break from planning and control.  And therefore I'm not anxious.

I think James is addressing this anxiety here in the word "doubt."  I've often heard this passage interpreted as a critique of intellectual uncertainty, but I find it hard to believe that questioning is bad; Jesus consistently criticized the religious people who "knew it all" and rewarded those who were honestly seeking.

Rather, James is addressing our response to chaos.  I love the image of a wave-tossed ship; the metaphor extends to describe my response to chaos.  When I see storms coming, I act like a salty 18th-century captain and lash myself to the ship's mast, so that I can continue to steer; I try to retain as much control as possible.  The result? Although I feel more secure, the reality is that I am still tossed around with the ship; I'm still "blowin in the wind."  Far better to find land, something that will not move with the storm, the "rock of our salvation."  It's hard to abandon ship, but those who seek to save their ship will lose it, and those who abandon it for Christ will save it ... or something like that.  How?

"We cling to our Father in the face of chaos by continually praying.  Because we know we don't have control, we cry out for grace." (Paul Miller, A Praying Life, p. 70)