“Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore.
They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination…
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, and keep our heads above water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.” — The Hopi Prophecy
We are living in a moment of deep uncertainty. The institutions we once trusted to safeguard democracy, the rule of law and justice are faltering. The moral compass that should guide our leaders is spinning wildly, pointing toward power rather than service, control rather than care. It would be easy to despair, to believe that the forces of greed and division are too strong. But the Hopi Elders1 remind us that we were never meant to cling to the shore. The time has come to let go, to enter the current, and to trust that we were made for this moment.
Margaret Wheatley2 and I are collaborating on an intensive called Were We Made for These Times? Initially, we imagined it as an offering to those seeking deeper wisdom, a place to reflect on and practice the kind of leadership the world needs. But now, in light of what is happening in the US and around the world, we see the urgency with fresh eyes. This is no longer about opting in—it’s about stepping up. The call of the prophetic moment is clear: We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. There is no one coming to save us. There is no distant hero who will make things right. It is us. It has always been us.
So, what does it mean to step into this moment with courage? It means resisting the urge to retreat into despair or distraction. It means finding our place in the river—offering whatever gifts we have with clarity and love. It means choosing compassion over cynicism, action over apathy. It means holding fast to what is good, even when the world seems to have lost its way.
The time is upon us. Will we rise to meet it? Let us wade into the waters together—fully awake, fully present, and fully committed to shaping the future with our own hands. We will see you on the field of play, ready to contribute to the common good with generosity, creativity, and kindness.
May we be strong. May we be wise. May we be the ones we have been waiting for.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Where in your life do you feel the temptation to cling to the shore instead of stepping into the current? What is holding you back from fully engaging with this moment in history?
The Hopi prophecy reminds us to “see who is in there with you and celebrate.” Who are the people beside you in this river? How can you strengthen and support each other?
What unique gifts, skills, or wisdom do you carry that can contribute to the common good in these times? How might you offer them with courage and love?
A Prayer for the Day
Let the River Carry Us
Spirit of the river,
Move through us, steady and strong.
Loosen our grip on false security,
Teach us to trust the waters.
Let us be brave enough to wade in,
To join hands with those beside us,
To lift one another when the current swells,
To rise, not in fear, but in fierce love.
Spirit of the deep,
Guide our steps,
Make us the ones we have been waiting for.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Step into the River
Take time to reflect on where you are in the river. Are you holding onto the shore, resisting the pull of change? Are you already moving with the current but feeling unsure of your place? Find a quiet moment to sit with these questions.
Then, take one small action that symbolizes stepping into the river. It could be reaching out to someone who is doing meaningful work and offering your support. It could be committing to a daily practice of courage—speaking truth in love, showing up when it feels easier to disengage, or taking the next step in a project that contributes to justice and healing.
Finally, pay attention to who is in the river with you. Notice the people who are also showing up, leading with compassion, working for the common good. Offer them encouragement. Name their courage out loud. Let them know they are not alone, and in doing so, remind yourself that you are not alone either.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 18, 2025, 12pm ET, Being a pastor is no easy task, especially in a year like this one. Join my colleague Rev. Jim Keat and other faith leaders as we talk about not only what we are holding, but how we are holding it. Register here.
February 27, 2025, 12-1:30pm - Margaret Wheatley and I are offering a 4 or 8-session course called “Are We Made for These Times?” If you know Meg’s work, it’s going to be extraordinary. If you want the deep dive, the 8-session course is for you. You can read about the shorter 4-session course here. Scholarships are available. I sooooo hope you can be a part of this!
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only two spots 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.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
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.
Taking actions, staves off depression, anxiety, helplessness, and hopelessness. no matter how small. In our northern region of California, we have a group of organizations that have published yellow cards to notify the coalition of ice activity, and a red card for immigrants to know their rights, and that they can refuse ice entry into their home without a search warrant. Schools and churches and nonprofit organizations should clearly identify public spaces and display signs as such, ice can enter those public spaces that spaces not designated for the public cannot be entered, without a search warrant. Small actions of resistance. I'm also getting trained as an ice observer to document and collect data for any ice activity in our area.
Yes, we cannot wait for leaders to take charge. Each one of us must be involved in keeping our land and our world from being wrenched from us. Call or write your congress people, join in protests, protect immigrants from ICE, pray for our country.