Shaking

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As I was watching the videos of the recent tragic earthquake in Thailand, I kept thinking of how the whole world appears to be shaking right now. 

A few of the things shaking:

  • The instability of governments in many countries and war without ceasing. 

  • Wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes reminding us that our planet will scream to get our attention when we ignore the whispers. 

  • Humans reporting to professionals that they are experiencing more than ever increases in anxiety, depression, lack of belonging, loneliness, and losing hope, with increases in substance use and screen time as coping mechanisms.

Things are shaking, but here is something else…

Theologies all over the world - Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Native American Spirituality - have core teachings on shake-ups before breakthroughs that lead humanity toward enlightenment, awakenings, divine appearances, and increased consciousness of love. 

So maybe, just maybe…

Shaking is a good thing. 

I know it is a stretch for me to say “it’s a good thing” when people are being harmed and we are witnessing destruction, but as I was wrestling with this tension inside my own soul and mind, here are a few thoughts:

  • Everything is always moving in nature. Energy vibrates, water flows, tides never stop, sound creates waves, and volcanos create new earth.

  • Birds, snakes, crabs, horses, and dogs shake to shed feathers, skin, shells, hair, and water in order to be lighter in flight, grow larger, and regulate body temperature with changing seasons. 

  • Prey animals shake after escaping a predator in order to reset their nervous system to calm, which helps them be less likely to become the next predator’s lunch.

  • Seeds shake to sprout. Baby chicks shake to break through their shell. Baby humans shake as they take a first breath.

  • The dark night of the soul, as Saint John of the Cross taught us, is a great “shaking of the soul” in suffering to collapse what we thought we knew about God and accept an invitation into a deeper sense of faith.

  • Personally, in the past few months, something I hear from my weight lifting coach is, “shaking builds muscle.” When I want to quit, when I’m not trusting I can do another rep, she says “you’ve got three more in you.” Then it goes like this: No I don’t, Kris…yes you do…I don’t…I know you do, you are strong…and she’s right every time, there are always three more reps in me. Muscles are beginning to show up, so I’m starting to believe her and trust that the shaking is a good thing. 

  • On an airplane, don’t we always appreciate the smooth ride the most right after a period of turbulence? There is a quiet peace when you are above the clouds in smooth air, but we might not notice that feeling of peace if it weren’t for our turbulent moments of fear. 

What if the shaking in our lives is a reminder to wake up, pay attention, look for the divine more than ever, and tune into peace when it comes our way?

If you are in a season of doubt, explore the shaking as hope that a breakthrough is coming.

If you are in a season of growth, try seeing the shaking as positive progress. 

If you are in a season of sadness, ask sadness what it is here to shake up inside you. 

If you are in a season of exhaustion, try welcoming rest as a shake-up to your habit of hustle. 

Experiment with seeing shaking as a precursor to a breakthrough this week and see what you notice when you do that.

Breakthroughs are coming and we will hold each other’s hands through the shaking,

 

P.S.

I didn’t want to interrupt your reading flow, but here are some things to go further if any of this intrigues you:

  • If the global theologies interested you: I’m speaking tomorrow, April 2nd, in Kansas City at Village Presbyterian on Mission about the fundamental difference in the original teachings of Judaism and Islam and why there is a history of conflict among these religious cultures. This message is intended to educate Christians on how to have more compassion for our world’s religions. Respond to this email if you want more info on attending this talk tomorrow. 

  • If John of the Cross is interesting to you: you would love our monthly teachings on the great spiritual mystics. We spend a morning with a different Christian mystic each month. The next one is Thomas Merton on April 24th, you can find out more here. 

  • In my book Being Human, on page 33 you can read about how zebras shake it off.