The phrase “Land of the Living” implies to me there is also a “Land of the Dead”, and I occasionally wonder where I am. When arguments go in circles and “facts” are really opinions and beliefs, when the least of these are expendable for convenience sake, when Zombies mentally lurch through society, one has to consider having made perhaps a “wrong turn at Albuquerque” ala Bugs Bunny.
How does one navigate right now when so many are struggling with anxiety and at least low-grade depression, with the inability to find a stable path forward let alone find joy and peace? When some days I am one of those “so many”; when some days people I deeply love and care about are counted among the “so many”.
“Land of the Living” gives hope however, that we don’t just exist for the next news cycle or the next pandemic or the next shut down. There is still goodness occurring: new babies, marriages, baptisms, Ahas!, mysterious snow shovelers, pot luck dinners for heaven’s sake!
When I practice gratitude and look for the good – which usually involves staying off social media including news sites – I can see God’s compassion and unfailing love played out where it most counts: the everyday details of life. The Land of the Living is the here and now of our lives if we choose to shun things that cause death to our souls.
Psalm 27:13 Yet I am confident that I shall see the Lord’s goodness while I am still in the land of the living.
Just Sayin' 