Holding Steady in the Storm
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.” — Thomas Merton
The start of a new week brings no relief from the whirlwind. We brace ourselves for more chaos. Are the tariffs on or off? Do government employees have jobs or not? Is the US an ally of Russia now or not? Is Elon Musk in charge of DOGE or not? Is Medicaid being cut or not? Is the government going to shut down or not? The headlines shift, the contradictions pile up, and the chaos is relentless.
But behind the confusion, something more dangerous is happening—a deliberate erosion of democracy and shared values. When things are constantly shifting, when lies from the President become policy and policies become tools for division, the trust between us all erodes. That’s the point. This kind of instability isn’t just incompetence—it’s a strategy. It wears us down, makes us question reality, isolates us from one another. When we are divided and exhausted, those in power can do whatever they want.
In times like these, we have to anchor ourselves in something deeper than the news cycle. Richard Rohr reminds us, “Mystics and prophets see things as they truly are—not through the lens of fear, but through the eyes of love and truth.” This is our task: to stay awake, to hold to truth, and to remain deeply connected to one another. The world is designed right now to make us feel helpless. But we are not.
When the world feels chaotic, we can choose to slow down. We can choose to name what is real. We can choose to look for each other, to resist the forces that seek to divide us. Even small acts of truth-telling and connection matter—reminding a friend that they’re not alone, refusing to be gaslit by the latest distortion, grounding ourselves in practices that sustain us. Mystic Meister Eckhart says, “The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.” Take a step. Make a call. Stay connected.
We may not be able to control the storm, but we can refuse to be swept away by it. It’s just a normal Monday in Trumpland.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
How do you stay grounded when the world feels chaotic?
Where do you see deliberate attempts to confuse and divide people? How can you resist that?
Who in your life might need reassurance, encouragement, or a reminder that they are not alone?
A Prayer for the Day
Anchored in Love
Holy One, in the midst of chaos, be our stillness.
When the winds of deception blow, ground us in truth.
When exhaustion sets in, be our strength.
When division threatens, be our connection.
Help us to be people who stay steady in the storm,
who hold fast to love, justice, and each other.
May we see clearly, speak truth boldly,
and never lose sight of the world You call us to build.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
A Daily Anchor
This week, take five minutes each morning to set an intention for how you will remain grounded in truth and connection. Before you pick up your phone or check the news, breathe deeply. Light a candle, take a walk, read a passage from a spiritual text, or sit in silence. Choose one word to guide you through the day—steadiness, love, courage, clarity.
Then, at the end of the day, reflect: Where did you see truth? Where did you feel connected? Where did love show up?
Keeping this small practice can be a counterweight to the forces of chaos, reminding you that you are not powerless—you are part of something steady, real, and enduring.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
March 11, 18, 25 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are hosting a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Our first session (recording available) was with modern mystic, Mirabai Starr. Andrew Harvey is our next guest on March 11! The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE!
March 12, 2025, 12pm ET - I will be joining Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral and Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, author of "Climate Church, Climate World," for a conversation titled “America in Search of a Soul.” The event is free. REGISTER HERE.
April 1, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Wow! Cameron! That is what’s happening as well as our need in this storm! Thank you! Truman
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