Perhaps enough time has passed since Osama Bin Laden's death to make some comments. A couple of weeks ago I was having dinner with some friends and made the comment that although I think that the US needed to stop Bin Laden (and the only way to stop him was to kill him), I did not think that it was right that there was so much celebration. My observation was not well received at the table. I believe that many think that it's right and patriotic to rejoice and celebrate over the death of one who wounded many families as well as the pride of the USA.
This week I read a short article about an Iranian woman to whom the courts granted the right to throw acid in the face of the man who threw acid in hers when she refused to marry him. She may exact retribution on her attacker. While it was an unthinkable evil for this man to attack her so viciously, I wonder if mutilating him as he mutilated her will bring her any sort of inner healing and peace. Without a doubt the man should be punished - and punished severely. Should it be in like kind, and delivered by her hand? Could it be that exacting revenge will diminish her humanity as well as his?
It's natural to want to get even with one who has wronged us. I'm the oldest of five kids. In a family our size there were regular fights. I can't tell you how many times I've heard my mother say, "Two wrongs don't make a right." That lesson sunk in. I don't think that individuals are very good at figuring out how to make situations "even steven".
In various places throughout the Bible God says, "Vengeance is mine." Why do you think He wants to reserve vengeance for Himself? Is God rubbing His hands together in anticipation and glee over the fate that awaits the "bad guy"? I think not. Instead, the Bible portrays God as One waiting to show mercy and give grace. We like to think of Him this way when we're the ones in need of it (and all of us play the bad guy at some time and on some level). But imagining our enemies as the objects of God's grace, mercy, and love is more that we want to contemplate. God does, after all love everyone - even terrorists and the guy who throws acid in the face of the lover who has scorned him.
Hopefully you'll never have to forgive someone who has murdered or mutilated someone you love. There is no question, however, that you will be wronged in a significant way at some time in your life. The betrayal of a friend or spouse, the theft of property or your good name are grievous wrongs, and not terribly uncommon. If you're facing any of those things today, remember that two wrongs don't make a right. Let God deal with the one who has wronged you. He knows how to make things right and you can trust Him to do it.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
River Monster Ruminations
My new favorite show is River Monsters. I'm surprised by my attraction to this show- fascinated, and not entirely sure why. I don't fish, but I DO love adventure. Maybe that's the answer...
The host, Jeremy Wade, travels the world fishing for strange and/or dangerous fish. All of the shows I've watched (I only became aware of it this season) have sensational titles like "Flesh Ripper." The story unfolds a bit like a mystery: does a certain fish really do whatever people claim it does, etc. At its heart, however, is a man with a great deal of curiosity about and respect for fish. I think that's perhaps another reason I like it so much.
Although there are exciting scenes in every show where the fish is finally landed, it's clear that Jeremy Wade spends plenty of time with his line in the water beforehand. In one episode he fishes for eleven days straight ( day and night) before he manages to hook the fish he's looking for.
I've spent some time thinking about the truths that River Monsters reminds me of...
- For every moment of triumph, there are many many disappointments and much waiting. If fishing can teach this life lesson effectively, I'd say that it should be mandatory training for all of us. We often expect immediate results and chafe under the discipline of waiting.
- Related to that is the development of a skill until it reaches the level of art. Becoming adept takes time and commitment. Practice makes better (if not perfect) and one who has practiced a lot makes what he is doing look easy and natural.
- Life is better when you approach others with respect and wonder. On River Monsters Wade encounters peoples and cultures very different from his own. He's smart enough to make friends and learn whatever the indigenous people have to teach him. His success is in part due to his emotional intelligence. He also respects the fish he catches, examining them with gentleness and releasing them back into the water (I know for certain that I could not watch the show if he was fishing for trophies). This world is full of interesting people and creatures. When we take the time to notice, our lives are enriched.
- People who follow their passion live interesting lives. I don't think this requires any elaboration...
Perhaps more on this later, but for now I'm content to chew this cud.
The host, Jeremy Wade, travels the world fishing for strange and/or dangerous fish. All of the shows I've watched (I only became aware of it this season) have sensational titles like "Flesh Ripper." The story unfolds a bit like a mystery: does a certain fish really do whatever people claim it does, etc. At its heart, however, is a man with a great deal of curiosity about and respect for fish. I think that's perhaps another reason I like it so much.
Although there are exciting scenes in every show where the fish is finally landed, it's clear that Jeremy Wade spends plenty of time with his line in the water beforehand. In one episode he fishes for eleven days straight ( day and night) before he manages to hook the fish he's looking for.
I've spent some time thinking about the truths that River Monsters reminds me of...
- For every moment of triumph, there are many many disappointments and much waiting. If fishing can teach this life lesson effectively, I'd say that it should be mandatory training for all of us. We often expect immediate results and chafe under the discipline of waiting.
- Related to that is the development of a skill until it reaches the level of art. Becoming adept takes time and commitment. Practice makes better (if not perfect) and one who has practiced a lot makes what he is doing look easy and natural.
- Life is better when you approach others with respect and wonder. On River Monsters Wade encounters peoples and cultures very different from his own. He's smart enough to make friends and learn whatever the indigenous people have to teach him. His success is in part due to his emotional intelligence. He also respects the fish he catches, examining them with gentleness and releasing them back into the water (I know for certain that I could not watch the show if he was fishing for trophies). This world is full of interesting people and creatures. When we take the time to notice, our lives are enriched.
- People who follow their passion live interesting lives. I don't think this requires any elaboration...
Perhaps more on this later, but for now I'm content to chew this cud.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Holiness
"The striking visual features of heaven are its symmetry, its light, and its fertility. It is perfectly proportioned, it is light-filled, and it is life-producing. The symmetry is a realization of entire holiness. We are being fashioned into holiness: holiness is perfectly proportioned wholeness" (Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John & The Praying Imagination, p. 177).
"Be holy, for I am holy." Not so much a call to good behavior as it is a call to total transformation. It is an invitation to participate - to reflect - the beauty of God: His symmetry, His light, and his life-giving presence.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, it's not something that is easy and it's not quick. In fact it takes a lifetime of work. The wonderful thing is, however, that although we do have to exert effort, the ultimate work is God's. It is God Himself that directs and plans everything in the believer's life to work together to achieve His vision of loveliness and wholeness.
Over the last seven or eight weeks one of my bathrooms has been in the process of remodel. I had the room gutted, and changed almost everything in the room. At some time in the past my home was a duplex. The bathroom upstairs during the duplex days served as a kitchen and a bathroom. There was a kitchen sink up there as well as a bathroom vanity. There were also kitchen cabinets - hung so high that I could only reach the bottom shelf.
When the renovation began I was very excited. I figured I'd be inconvenienced for a couple of weeks and then I'd have a beautifully transformed bathroom. Four weeks or so in I began to lose my enthusiasm. Stuff was sitting everywhere (although I could only reach the bottom shelf of those cabinets, I'd still filled them up) and we were constantly tripping over each other as we tried to find a good mirror to put our make-up on in front of or dry our hair.
Although it's still not 100% completed, we're almost there. My enthusiasm is back. The space is beautiful and I'm excited as I contemplate its use. I'm glad I decided to live through the inconvenience.
I live in an old house (built in 1912). Most of the house has been remodeled since I've been here, though there is still plenty to do. With every project I'm moving closer to what I consider a thing of beauty.
I think as our inner "houses" are remodeled we go through much the same process. We may begin with some excitement and a vision of what a "remodeled" future looks like. We'll enjoy the space and enjoy inviting others into it so that they can share the beauty. When we're in the midst of change, however, we begin to wonder if it's worth it. The old comfort may not have been terrific, but now we're in a mess and it doesn't look good yet. But if we hang in there, we complete the project and have a space that we're happy to live in - and to share with others.
While there will always be some other project to do, every bit of effort we expend or inconvenience we endure moves us closer to holiness and beauty. Wherever you are today, I hope you'll stay committed to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
"Be holy, for I am holy." Not so much a call to good behavior as it is a call to total transformation. It is an invitation to participate - to reflect - the beauty of God: His symmetry, His light, and his life-giving presence.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, it's not something that is easy and it's not quick. In fact it takes a lifetime of work. The wonderful thing is, however, that although we do have to exert effort, the ultimate work is God's. It is God Himself that directs and plans everything in the believer's life to work together to achieve His vision of loveliness and wholeness.
Over the last seven or eight weeks one of my bathrooms has been in the process of remodel. I had the room gutted, and changed almost everything in the room. At some time in the past my home was a duplex. The bathroom upstairs during the duplex days served as a kitchen and a bathroom. There was a kitchen sink up there as well as a bathroom vanity. There were also kitchen cabinets - hung so high that I could only reach the bottom shelf.
When the renovation began I was very excited. I figured I'd be inconvenienced for a couple of weeks and then I'd have a beautifully transformed bathroom. Four weeks or so in I began to lose my enthusiasm. Stuff was sitting everywhere (although I could only reach the bottom shelf of those cabinets, I'd still filled them up) and we were constantly tripping over each other as we tried to find a good mirror to put our make-up on in front of or dry our hair.
Although it's still not 100% completed, we're almost there. My enthusiasm is back. The space is beautiful and I'm excited as I contemplate its use. I'm glad I decided to live through the inconvenience.
I live in an old house (built in 1912). Most of the house has been remodeled since I've been here, though there is still plenty to do. With every project I'm moving closer to what I consider a thing of beauty.
I think as our inner "houses" are remodeled we go through much the same process. We may begin with some excitement and a vision of what a "remodeled" future looks like. We'll enjoy the space and enjoy inviting others into it so that they can share the beauty. When we're in the midst of change, however, we begin to wonder if it's worth it. The old comfort may not have been terrific, but now we're in a mess and it doesn't look good yet. But if we hang in there, we complete the project and have a space that we're happy to live in - and to share with others.
While there will always be some other project to do, every bit of effort we expend or inconvenience we endure moves us closer to holiness and beauty. Wherever you are today, I hope you'll stay committed to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
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