Gaga, I Think We Have A Problem

By Reverend Hiram L. Brett J

“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures.

• “A little child shall lead them” – Isaiah 11:6
• “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  — Matthew 18:2-3

Some things must be experienced personally to fully appreciate their magnificence, beauty or awe-inspiring nature.  The Grand Canyon, the Amalfi Coast, Michaelangelo’s sculpture David, the Great Wall and the Sistine Chapel come to mind as a few.  Grandchildren fit that description for me as well.  So much so that I could define life in two stages: BG (before grandkids) and AG (after grandkids).  In the BG stage, I was a bit skeptical at the joy that friends would express when talking about their grandchildren.  In the AG stage, I find myself wondering how they could have been so sparse and restrained in their expression of joy and affection for their grandchildren as I can barely contain myself.

My 5-year-old granddaughter and my 4-year-old grandson recently spent three weeks with my wife and me.  They were full of energy and wore us out.  One morning as I was awakening, I heard my granddaughter shout out from another room, “Gaga, I think we have a problem.”  I couldn’t help but smile when I heard her exclamation.  First, I knew she was calling on her beloved grandmother. Secondly, I was impressed that a 5-year-old could so succinctly assess her situation.  Perhaps a child might provide a path to handling our problems/situations.  

When we find ourselves in a perilous situation, we need to know who we can call to help us in our situation.  No matter what your station, life’s problems are eased by having someone (or something) to call on for help.  It also helps to recognize where you stand or your place in your predicament.  Possessing a strong sense of identity and recognition, being able to say “I” and to identify the “I-Self.”  William James, the American philosopher who is considered the father of modern psychology, describes us as having a I- self and a Me- self, with the I-self observing the outside world and the Me- self looking inside and observing just ourselves.  James postulates that the meaning in our life occurs while we are in the I-self (in relationship with the outside world).

Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, “As he thinks in his heart so is he.”  Discernment is critical in assessing one’s situation and charting a path along life’s journey.  Recognizing, pondering, and acting upon life’s changing kaleidoscope provides the opportunity for a fulfilled, meaningful and enriching life.  Thinking is life’s vital currency.

An African proverb instructs us, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  In our moments of challenge, scarcity, and resistance, having a community that surrounds us is life giving and life sustaining. We can move from a stance and posture of the individual “I” to a more powerful and grounded collective of “we.” As such our problem-solving capacity and capability is multiplied and enriched.  Our problem ceases to overwhelm us, and our joy may be full.

Gaga, I think we have a problem.  God, I think we have a problem. Yes, God, I think we have a problem.  I think we have lost our way.  In Mark 12: 28-30, when answering the question of what is the first and greatest commandment, Jesus starts with the Shema (Deuteronomy 6), “Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is one, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.:  The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no greater commandment than these.” Jonathan Butler sings the song “Falling in Love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done.”  However, we see so many who do not seek your face and are not able to experience first-hand the joy that is experienced in finding your Beauty and the Truth that emanates from it.  Similarly, we do not value our neighbor as ourselves.  We create fiefdoms of red versus blue, black/brown versus white, native versus immigrant/migrant. We have lost our moral core.  We have forgotten that we are all made in your image and created to be our brother’s keeper.

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