When pigs fly.

Certain events are transpiring that may force me to change my theology.  When confronted by incontrovertible evidence, there only real option is to change one’s belief.  It seems silly to hold on to something that is impossible to be true.  Yet many of us do that all the time.  After all, the “Flat Earth Society” is a real thing.

So, what has so challenged my thinking as to put my theology in question?  It is a simple event from Saturday night.  Despite playing a garbage game, the Leafs won in overtime.  It is a known fact that if the Leafs ever win the Stanley Cup, pigs will fly and hell will freeze.  Since they won a game they clearly should have lost, I am beginning to wonder if the rules of the universe are in fact valid.  

(Total disclosure:  I am and always have been a huge Leaf fan - and a huge Leaf skeptic.  As much as I want it to be, I don’t think “this is the year.”)

Leaf jokes aside, this is a common approach to questions about life and God.  All of us - because of our sin nature - project on to God our own expectations for everything from what He should be like to what He should do.  Most of the time, those “shoulds” are centred on our own experiences and sense of reality.  

The universe is big place.  There are a lot of moving parts.  And all those parts have been moving for a very long time.  How it has all avoided some kind of melt-down or collapse can only be attributed to the presence and providence of the eternal Creator God.  

Let’s go back to the Leafs for a moment.  Currently, the roster contains 31 players.  Only 20 of those dress for a game.  Twenty moving parts.  It can be chaos.  Attempting to control that chaos is a slew of coaches, trainers, medical staff, and various assistants.  And still chaos often ensues.  When the puck drops to start the game, no one knows who is going to win.  Anything can happen.

Multiply that by the vastness of the universe.  Chaos?  Absolutely . . . unless . . . there is something greater.  We could ask the question of origins (“Where did it all come from, including the necessary conditions for the ‘Big Bang?’”), or of purpose (“Why is it here?”).  But maybe we should ask the question of order:  “What keeps it from destroying itself?”  On a more personal level, we could ask, “Is it possible to find any sense of structure and order in my own life?”  This question is especially important when we are confused and life feels like one big derailment.

The good news is that experience does not define reality.  The Leafs win/loss experiences will not define the aviary abilities of pigs or climate change in hell.  Our daily experience does not define the reality of an eternal God.  It will influence our perceptions and expectations of God.  This may be radically different from the reality of who and what God is.  Separating the truth from perception is a difficult proposition.

Where does all this leave us?  Fortunately, God’s track record for stability in chaos is well documented.  The experiences and stresses of the ancient peoples were just as real for them as they are for us.  They struggled with betrayal, abandonment, purposelessness, depression, anger - the list is endless.  They also validated the faithfulness of God throughout those seasons of life, albeit usually when they looked back on their circumstances.  The heat of the moment is deceptive.  Our feelings distort our perception of what is right, true, and of value.  Thankfully, it doesn’t change the nature of God or His created order.

As much as I hope for a Leaf win this year, I don’t believe it is going to happen.  In contrast, as much as I believe God will provide stability in the chaos life inevitably holds, I do believe He does care for us - above and beyond what I can even imagine.  It isn’t because I’m resilient or the world is evolving - it is because the Creator is caring that we can guard that flame of hope in our hearts regardless of our circumstances.

God’s character and His created order are not going to change.  Pigs won’t fly.  Hell won’t freeze.  Leafs . . . no idea.  But God - yes, He will continue to be engaged, gracious, and faithful, especially to those who love Him.

Graham Bulmer
Lead Pastor
graham@q50community.com
Graham and Sharon Bulmer bring many years of pastoral, teaching, leadership development and administrative experience to the Q50 Community Church plant. They served in Latin America as missionaries for almost 15 years, and have pastored here in Canada.