One of my routine jogs when not at the beach is around the cul-de-sac near our home. It’s a .5 mile loop that is downhill as you start on the top on one side and climb uphill on the return on the other side with ocean views. What’s not to like?

Recently when doing the loop with a friend when we were at the top for the second time and began down the hill she said , “That’s one.” I was puzzled since for me I had counted two. When we discussed it she said she counts each loop once we’ve finished it. I, on the other hand, count each loop as I’m about to start it.

No big deal, right? Yet our perspectives say quite a bit about our world views.

For me, as I would start each descent I was focused on being encouraged that I would be able to make it, especially up that uphill side.  On the day discussed, my feeling motivated to meet that goal of two loops wouId help me make it back to the top as I would be thinking of the top being the beginning of the next time around. Standing there I could say, “This is the second loop I’m starting and I can do this!  When I would reach the top again having finished the circle I would then keep track with my third finger as I begin the next time around.

On the other hand, if I didn’t get to count it until the loop was completed I would only have the prior number in my head and maybe I could achieve the next, or maybe not, but it would feel more like a disappointment if I didn’t make it. Both viewpoints are completely realistic ways to look at the situation. For me, my view just gave me a little more hope that what was possible would come to be.

It’s easy to look around and really feel the world is on a path of self destruction. Recent events surely do suggest that possible reality, one which we cannot change on a large scale day-to-day. It’s difficult to live in that daily reality, especially in light of the overwhelmingly troubling most recent events. I stay informed through media, read credible news sources regularly. I also discuss these issues with family and friends and do what I can to support my legislative representatives. Of course, I vote. Of course, I pray. Of course, I study Scripture.

All of that having been said, as I write this, I am looking out the window bathing in the beauty of God’s created universe. I’m ignoring the countless beeps from my IPhone trying to draw me away from Him. I am in awe that during my jog this morning He inspired me to write this encouragement with these thoughts. He actually is the reason I even connected my conversation about counting jogging loops, which occurred many months ago, with today’s headlines!! Even more interesting, I actually wrote this encouragement on Tuesday morning four hours before news coverage of  Iran’s attack on Israel when this message became even more relevant.

I see a world in turmoil, in self-destructive mode, but I also see a world, and a country with amazing gifts and potential. I see people hating and killing, but also, people loving and saving. I see life and death, famine and gluttony, poverty and excess wealth, cruelty and kindness. Where do we begin?

For me, I begin with hope. I won’t be able to solve the crushingly destructive realities. Yet with hope as my worldview, I will be able to work to right all that I can, to speak light into darkness, to support those in need, to talk with those who want to dialogue, to offer assistance where I can, to speak up against hate, to recognize all of our failings at this endemic level, to be reminded all the more of how much we each and every one of us and the whole world need God as the center of every breath, to receive His calming Ruach, now more than ever.

L’Shanah Tovah and Shabbat shalom.

Diane