I had a bit of an epiphany today, just a minute ago. Not the first time the thought has crossed my mind, but, I thought I'd record it this time. It is truly amazing how often I find myself troubled by something, searching my mind for the right direction or just puzzling over what I should do. There have been a couple occasions here recently when I have found myself doing just that. I figured the best thing to do would be to give it a rest and find something else to think about for a while, just distract yourself and come back to it later. A few times, like today, I chose to read some section of the Bible, generally chosen at random, in order to fill my mind with something other than whatever was bothering me. Now here's the amazing part (me thinking things into the ground is neither novel or rare), usually within a few verses I find some words of wisdom that are directly applicable to my situation. Even when I don't think I'm reading about anything even close to related.
Today is a perfect example. I had some conflicting emotions and thoughts. I have taken to writing these things out in order to get them off my chest and sometimes clarify just what is on my mind. So, first I wrote a poem (it's really bad and should never see the light of day). That was half of what was going on and did not seem to get it all out. So, next I wrote an email, that I saved as a draft, to the person in question explaining my thoughts and feelings(most likely this should never see the light of day either). But, neither one really helped me a who lot and I was still unsettled. Casting about for something, I figured I'd read today's Proverb, Proverbs 15. There in verse 2 was what I needed to hear, "The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness." Continuing to read there were several more verses in a similar vain. I really had nothing to be so conflicted about and certainly didn't need to be spilling my half thought out ideas on anyone else. Just keep my mouth shut, take a few deep breaths, and trust that things will work out just fine.
It is amazing how something so small can have such a big impact on you. It brightened my whole afternoon. I'm sure by heeding the advice I will also be brightening someone else's afternoon as well. Taking a few minutes break before taking an action is a good thing. Doing some reading during that break is not a bad way to spend the time. The Bible's well suited to reading small sections that stand on their own. Might brighten your day, or someone else's.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Surrender
There is nothing left for me to do but to go and see General Grant and I would rather die a thousand deaths.
-General Robert E. Lee, [Said before the surrender at Appomattox, 9 April 1865]
There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way'.
-C.S. Lewis
Might as well jump right into the deep end. The doctrine/concept of surrender to Christ has been on my mind of late. The term is not new to me, but the depth of meaning is something which had not truly reached the level of understanding for me. It's still a bit hard to grasp intellectually, and even harder to try to put into practice. The spark that led me to look into this more was a story about Billy Graham that I read in Henry Blackaby's, Spiritual Leadership. In it he stated that one had to surrender more than once, even repeatedly throughout ones life. As usual, these things bounce around in my head for weeks or months, I seem to see the topic discussed everywhere I look, and eventually something just 'clicks.'
The concept of surrender runs contrary to our most basic instincts. It brings to mind defeat, loss of control, weakness, lack of ability or will, failure. These are not things that most of us desire to feel or would go out of our way to practice of our own accord. To me, this is like a lot of Christianity... sounds easy (bumper sticker slogan easy), but very hard in practice.
Surrender is not used (at least in any of the translations I have available) in the bible in the same way as in the doctrine here. It has been put together from the teachings and example Christ gave us. In Luke 14, Christ is working with a large group of new believers and explaining to them the risks and tribulations they may face if they continue to follow him. In verse 26 he tells us, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Hate here must be seen in the context of Mat 10:37, it is a comparative term. One must love Christ more than their closest family and friends. We must be willing to put Christ first in our lives, even at the expense of our closest relationships or even our own life. While lose of life for your beliefs may not be a reality today in the US, the possibility of scorn and ridicule from others for your beliefs is very real. He is asking us to make sure we are willing to pay the price for our convictions, even unto death.
Paul tells us in Php 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." We have nothing to fear from death, and just the contrary, we should look forward to it. By accepting Christ and being born again, Col 3:3 "For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God." We are to accept death as something to look forward to. I don't know about you, but, for me this is very difficult, as all I know is my life. As pitiful as that life may be at times, it is the only one I have. Releasing yourself from the illusion of control and knowing that you are bound for things beyond this world is the charge we have. What you think is real is nothing, what is real and eternal is intangible. Give up everything you can see, touch, taste and feel and accept that God is in control on faith alone.
Christ gave us the perfect example of this. He is God made man, unlimited power and knowledge in a finite and fragile body. In Php 2:8 "...He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Now, I know I have at time put little emphasis on this. He know what was going to happen and why He was doing it, so, of course He did it. How does that speak to us who do not have that foresight? Thankfully, we do have some insight into His thoughts just prior to his crucifixion, Luk 22:42 "...Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done." This, to me, shows the man part of Christ, an attachment to the world and his life, yet his utter willingness to do His Father's will, acceptance of His control, surrender.
I know that I cannot go about my daily life, all day, every day, knowing in my heart that I am not in control and that God is. I know that there have been times when I have not loved Christ more than my family, friends or neighbors by my actions. I know that I have surrendered to Christ my will and my life. It is uncomfortable, like giving in to unconsciousness. That feeling of sliding into the unknown blackness. But, it is also liberating. The freedom of being free from worry. Since I cannot keep myself in this mindset at all times, I do find it necessary to renew my surrender from time to time.
-General Robert E. Lee, [Said before the surrender at Appomattox, 9 April 1865]
There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way'.
-C.S. Lewis
Might as well jump right into the deep end. The doctrine/concept of surrender to Christ has been on my mind of late. The term is not new to me, but the depth of meaning is something which had not truly reached the level of understanding for me. It's still a bit hard to grasp intellectually, and even harder to try to put into practice. The spark that led me to look into this more was a story about Billy Graham that I read in Henry Blackaby's, Spiritual Leadership. In it he stated that one had to surrender more than once, even repeatedly throughout ones life. As usual, these things bounce around in my head for weeks or months, I seem to see the topic discussed everywhere I look, and eventually something just 'clicks.'
The concept of surrender runs contrary to our most basic instincts. It brings to mind defeat, loss of control, weakness, lack of ability or will, failure. These are not things that most of us desire to feel or would go out of our way to practice of our own accord. To me, this is like a lot of Christianity... sounds easy (bumper sticker slogan easy), but very hard in practice.
Surrender is not used (at least in any of the translations I have available) in the bible in the same way as in the doctrine here. It has been put together from the teachings and example Christ gave us. In Luke 14, Christ is working with a large group of new believers and explaining to them the risks and tribulations they may face if they continue to follow him. In verse 26 he tells us, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Hate here must be seen in the context of Mat 10:37, it is a comparative term. One must love Christ more than their closest family and friends. We must be willing to put Christ first in our lives, even at the expense of our closest relationships or even our own life. While lose of life for your beliefs may not be a reality today in the US, the possibility of scorn and ridicule from others for your beliefs is very real. He is asking us to make sure we are willing to pay the price for our convictions, even unto death.
Paul tells us in Php 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." We have nothing to fear from death, and just the contrary, we should look forward to it. By accepting Christ and being born again, Col 3:3 "For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God." We are to accept death as something to look forward to. I don't know about you, but, for me this is very difficult, as all I know is my life. As pitiful as that life may be at times, it is the only one I have. Releasing yourself from the illusion of control and knowing that you are bound for things beyond this world is the charge we have. What you think is real is nothing, what is real and eternal is intangible. Give up everything you can see, touch, taste and feel and accept that God is in control on faith alone.
Christ gave us the perfect example of this. He is God made man, unlimited power and knowledge in a finite and fragile body. In Php 2:8 "...He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Now, I know I have at time put little emphasis on this. He know what was going to happen and why He was doing it, so, of course He did it. How does that speak to us who do not have that foresight? Thankfully, we do have some insight into His thoughts just prior to his crucifixion, Luk 22:42 "...Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done." This, to me, shows the man part of Christ, an attachment to the world and his life, yet his utter willingness to do His Father's will, acceptance of His control, surrender.
I know that I cannot go about my daily life, all day, every day, knowing in my heart that I am not in control and that God is. I know that there have been times when I have not loved Christ more than my family, friends or neighbors by my actions. I know that I have surrendered to Christ my will and my life. It is uncomfortable, like giving in to unconsciousness. That feeling of sliding into the unknown blackness. But, it is also liberating. The freedom of being free from worry. Since I cannot keep myself in this mindset at all times, I do find it necessary to renew my surrender from time to time.
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