Our God is an expert at dealing with chaos, with brokenness, with all the worst that we can imagine. God created order out of disorder, cosmos out of chaos, and God can do so always, can do so now…

Desmond Tutu

Dear Child of God

Theme: Adversity

Dear Child of God, I write these words because we all experience sadness, we all come at times to despair, and we all lose hope that the suffering in our lives and in the world will ever end. I want to share with you my faith and my understanding that this suffering can be transformed and redeemed. There is no such thing as a totally hopeless case. Our God is an expert at dealing with chaos, with brokenness, with all the worst that we can imagine. God created order out of disorder, cosmos out of chaos, and God can do so always, can do so now – in our personal lives and in our lives as nations, globally… Indeed, God is transforming the world now – through us – because God loves us. This is not wishful thinking or groundless belief. It is my deep conviction, based on my reading of the Bible and of history. It is borne out not only in my experience in South Africa but also by many other visits to countries suffering oppression or in conflict. Our world is in the grips of a transformation that continues forward and backward in ways that lead to despair at times but ultimately redemption. While I write as a Christian, this transformation can be recognized and experienced by anyone, regardless of your faith and religion, and even if you practice no religion at all.

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 1931 – 26 December 2021) was a distinguished South African Anglican Archbishop and theologian known globally for his dedicated work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. His involvement in the fight against racial segregation in South Africa during the apartheid era was steadfast and resulted in significant contributions to the nation's quest for racial equality. In recognition of his efforts, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. His leadership and moral courage were instrumental in transitioning South Africa towards a more reconciled society.

Tutu was deeply religious and his belief in God, perceived as both a Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, played a major role in his life and advocacy. This belief, which extended beyond traditional Anglican theology, played a significant role in his stance on gender equality. His faith, therefore, wasn't simply a personal doctrine, but it also guided his public advocacy and influenced his approach towards human rights.

Tutu was also a strong proponent of Ubuntu, an African philosophy that stresses the interconnectedness of humanity. This concept aligns with the idea that one's well-being is tied to the well-being of others. Tutu's acknowledgment of advancements in human rights and his continued efforts for improvement were reflective of this philosophy. Despite the challenges he faced during the apartheid era, Tutu remained committed to advocating for a world where peace, justice, and dignity were accessible to everyone. Through his lifetime, Desmond Tutu left an enduring mark on society, and his legacy continues to inspire those who pursue equality and human rights.

(1931-2021) Christianity
God Has A Dream

Tutu, Desmond, and Douglas Abrams. God Has a Dream: a Vision of Hope for Our Time. Rider, 2004.

Desmond Tutu

Theme: Adversity

About This Desmond M. Tutu Quotation [Commentary]

Desmond M. Tutu’s words reflect the transformative power of faith, especially in times of chaos and adversity. In the quotation, “Our God is an expert at dealing with chaos, with brokenness, with all the worst that we can imagine,” Tutu highlights the divine ability to bring order from disorder. This emphasizes that no situation is beyond redemption. Tutu’s reference to God creating cosmos from chaos serves as a reminder that even in the most difficult moments, there is always potential for renewal and transformation.

In the broader context of this passage, Tutu speaks to the universal experience of suffering but reassures us that no case is hopeless. He calls us to trust in the process of divine intervention, which is ongoing. His personal experiences, such as leading the anti-apartheid movement, demonstrate how even overwhelming challenges can be overcome, not just by waiting for divine action but by actively participating in the transformation.

Tutu’s message extends beyond faith traditions, reminding us that anyone can experience this transformative power. Writing from a Christian perspective, he stresses that the change God brings is inclusive. His words invite us to see adversity not as an end, but as part of a redemptive process in which we all have a role. Through us, God’s love continues to transform the world.

Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, God Loves Us

“God does not give up on anyone, for God loved us from all eternity. God loves us now and God will always love us, all of us good and bad, forever and ever. His love will not let us go, for God’s love for us, all of us, good and bad, is unchanging, is unchangeable. Someone has said there is nothing I can do to make God love me more, for God loves me perfectly already. And wonderfully, there is nothing I can do to make God love me less. God loves me as I am to help me become all that I have it in me to become, and when I realize the deep love God has for me, I will strive for love’s sake to do what pleases my Lover.”

—Desmond Tutu [No Future Without Forgiveness].

Justice Will Prevail

“In a setting that claims we are made for alienation, separation, dividedness, hostility, and war, we must, as the church of God, proclaim that we are made for togetherness, for fellowship, for community, for oneness, for friendship, and peace. In a situation of injustice, oppression, and exploitation, we must proclaim that the justice and righteousness and equity of God will prevail. In a place where truth is a constant casualty, with many in high places taking loosely the demands of verity and truthfulness, we must declare that truth matters and that a people who have become immoral are in grave danger of collapse. In a situation where human life seems dirt cheap, with people being killed as easily as one swats a fly, we must proclaim that people matter and matter enormously, because they are created in the image of God. We must proclaim that apartheid must go and that a true dispensation will take its place, a dispensation where black and white will live together as members of one family, the human family, God’s family.”

—Desmond Tutu [The Words of Desmond Tutu].

Faith

“If it weren’t for faith, I would have given up long ago. I am certain lots of us would have been hate-filled and bitter. For me, the scriptures have become more and more thoroughly relevant to our situation. They speak of a God who, when you worship him, turns you around to be concerned for your neighbor. He does not tolerate a relationship with himself that excludes your neighbor.”

—Desmond Tutu [The Words of Desmond Tutu].

Dear Child of God

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