In a meditation entitled By Their Fruits, Howard Thurman writes:

Further, I may not ever be deeply assured that I am not mistaken. I may be appraising my experience in the light of my own great need or my own previous conditioning or teaching. As a matter of fact, it is true that most of the fundamental decisions which we make are made on the basis of insufficient evidence. We cannot wait for final proof or verification. It would be too late. Thus, we wait as long as we can and then act on the basis of the total knowledge up to the present, with the hope that the future may verify our decision. This means that the decision does not have integrity in itself. Its integrity rests upon how it works out, how it unfolds.

These words resonate with me. The more I live the more I realize that my thoughts and ideas are temporary. They change and evolve as I experience and learn more and more. Though the uncertainty can be unnerving at times, the humility it produces creates space in my life for growth, openness and kindness.

Rev. Thurman had the words of Jesus in mind: "you will know them by their fruits...every good tree bears good fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17). Decisions lead to action, which leads to results. When the results disappoint us we can re-examine our decisions. Just maybe our thoughts and ideas need to change.

This feels like a time to re-examine our decisions; to test our ideas against the results we see. Covid-19 and the protests for greater equality are challenging some decisions and thinking that have been producing disappointing results. These global events give us the opportunity to re-think the way our society is structured and to re-consider how our priorities need to shift.

Let us resist the temptation to return to "normal" too quickly. Let us not turn aside from the challenge and the pain too soon. Let us consider long-term commitments to health and well-being for all, that require sacrifices now. Let us listen and learn so we can be part of the solution. Let us care more about just and equitable outcomes than being right about our thoughts and ideas.

Jesus, as always, was right. You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears. What does the fruit of your life have to say?

The grace and peace of Christ be with you,