Living Faithfully in an Ambiguous World

A note from Henri Nouwen Society's Daily Meditations 3.27.09

Our hearts and minds desire clarity. We like to have a clear picture of a situation, a clear view of how things fit together, and clear insight into our own and the world's problems. But just as in nature colors and shapes mingle without clear-cut distinctions, human life doesn't offer the clarity we are looking for. The borders between love and hate, evil and good, beauty and ugliness, heroism and cowardice, care and neglect, guilt and blamelessness are mostly vague, ambiguous, and hard to discern.

It is not easy to live faithfully in a world full of ambiguities. We have to learn to make wise choices without needing to be entirely sure.

I love this song...Crazy

Shawn Colvin recorded a Gnarls Barkley cover of Crazy in StudioC at Cities97 last year and put it on one of their year-end samplers that raise money for a variety of charities in the twin cities. Because she has been a favorite of mine for several years...I thought I'd share a favorite tune. The lyrics are a bit controversial...but I think it's really just about trying to be in control in a world where that's not really possible.
What do you think they mean?

Crazy
I remember when, I remember when I lost my mind

There was something so pleasant about that place.
Even your emotions had an echo
And so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly

And those of you are having the time of your life
But think twice,
that's my only advice
Come on now,
who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha, ha bless mine soul
You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking,
I wanna be like them.
Ever since I was little,
ever since I was little it looked like fun
So it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

But Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably