Faith in a Time of Pandemic – The Center is Everywhere

XXIII.
THE CENTER IS EVERYWHERE
(4/6)
“Cleave the Wood and I am There” (Gospel of Thomas, 77)

One of my favorite sayings comes from various sources including Bonaventure and Nicolas of Cusa: “God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” This wisdom reminds us that we are in the center of God’s care. The practical meaning of divine omnipresence is that God is everywhere and one of those “everywheres” is my life. God’s energy gives birth to each moment, God’s wisdom is present even when I am unaware of it, God’s love envelopes me despite my current solitude.

The other practical meaning of divine omnipresence is that everyplace and every person is a center of God’s love. There are no God-forsaken persons or places. Even on the cross, in the agony of Jesus, God is present, comforting and seeking a way for the cross to become a symbol and manifestation of God’s aim at salvation.

In this uncertain time, God is with us, in us, and around us. God has not brought the pandemic upon us. But we can experience holiness amid this tragedy. We can experience love amid the pain. We can grow spiritually even in our doubts and fears.
On this day, notice God-places and God-moments. Notice your own holiness and beauty. Notice resources amid the struggles you are experiencing. God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.

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Encircle me with love. Encircle me with joy. Encircle me with hope. Encircle me with courage to press ahead in the valley of the shadow of death, for you are with me. Amen.

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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC and GOD ON LINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET