Can I split myself in three?

This week's Richard Rohr meditations have been a real challenge.

One of his main points is that we should ditch dualistic - either/or, right/wrong, us/them - thinking, which I absolutely agree with. This week, he pushed the point home, talking about the Third Way or the Rule of Three. If you aren't following Side A or Side B, you can work to create Something New.

His example: a seed (the affirming source) must fall into the ground (the denying force) and be warmed by sunlight (the reconciling force) to produce something new - a sprout.

I struggle with this. I have believed that WWII was - not just perhaps but necessary. What if we hadn't got involved? Would we really be content that millions more Jews, gypsies, gays, disabled people, etc, etc, were killed? Doesn't all this abdicate our responsibility to our neighbour? And what about 'God has no eyes, ears, hands, or feet but mine'? If 'my' hands are not there, how can 'I' make a difference?

I was almost at a point where I was ready to deny a God who could be so callous, so heartless.

But the God I know is Love. God is there in the suffering. God wants an end to the suffering. I think one of the problems I've had is that I've wanted to decide where I take my hands in the name of 'God's work'. But surely God decides where God's hands are?

I'm still struggling with this. My current example is the conflict in Israel/Palestine. The suffering of the Palestinians is terrible. Surely God is on the side of the poor and downtrodden? And who is more downtrodden? But it's not for me - or any outsider - to decide the future in that place. And there are people - Palestinians and Israelis - working for a different future. I have to trust that God knows what God is doing, that a better future is possible for everyone.

I'm still working it all through, but at least I'm still with my God!