Embracing the Chaos

Life can be unpredictable, full of surprises and sometimes seem out of control or chaotic.

I have recognized a pattern in life – when one shoe falls, the other goes with it. If there is one storm that comes through, it seems another one follows on its tail. Chaos seems to invite more chaos.

But would you believe me if I told you that there is order in the chaos? Order is there for those who are willing to embrace it.

As early as 1880, the Chaos Theory was being studies by scientist. Here is the best overall definition I found:

Chaos: When the present determines the future, but the approximate present does not approximately determine the future (Wikipedia, 2013).

Where did chaos begin?

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep” (Gen. 1:1-2, ESV). What is interesting to me is that God didn’t create order first, He created chaos.

Therefore, chaos is not the enemy of good. It is our perspective that is the enemy of good.

God made order out of chaos and called it good. He wants to do it in our lives as well. When we see our lives as a mess, God sees them as opportunities. We see dis-order and missing pieces and He sees everything He needs to create new life and miracles.

Here are a few personal thoughts I had about the principles of chaos:

• Understanding the principles of chaos can help us avoid wrong action and take right action that will lead to a positive outcome.
• When we realize that at any moment our lives are complex entities on the edge of radical change, we can anticipate the unexpected, knowing that God has never left us and has a plan for our future.
• It takes chaos to create order. Chaos is not a place that you stay, it is an opportunity for you to experience deep transformation and growth. This is a choice.
• To walk out of chaos into order, one must choose to align themselves with what God has to say, not what the chaos of life is shouting.

Will you believe today that God is making order in your chaos?

What personal action steps are you taking towards a life of freedom, hope and purpose?