found this in my inbox this morning from a friend and just wanted to share it with you.
\\\\\\\\\
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.
He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend,
'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her.
When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,
'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind.
The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her.
She hadn't expected that.
The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:
'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before,
and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word -
Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food -
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife -
Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life -
Think of someone who went too early to heaven..
Before whining about the distance you drive-
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job -
Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down -
Put a smile on your face and think:
you're alive and still around.
========================
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
pharisee faith vs. widow faith.
A friend once said to me: "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
A question that I have been asked repeatedly this summer by friends, family and neighbors is "What's next? After college, do you know what you want to do?" I often wonder about the paths in my life. If I choose to take Path A, will I ever be found wandering on Path B? And if I choose Path B, will Path A be forever washed away from my life?
College is a time of exploration but more than that, it is a time of identity. Of finding out who you really are. Of discovering life from your very own eyes; a life that no one else can experience except you.
This summer, my identity has been found in God. I have been following the Spirit's leading in my life. To obey this "pushing" as I have come to call it, is new for me. The experiences have taken me places and caused me to grow in my faith. I guess you could say that my faith has become "simple." A faith honestly searching for God in the everyday brokenness of society; a faith that seeks to be the selfless love that Jesus calls us to inhabit; a faith that is not satisfied with being the same everyday but different. My God has shown me (oftentimes bluntly) that it is His purposes that matter in the world. When I begin to encompass his desires as my own, my life starts to make sense. I have found that it may not make sense to the world; in fact it probably looks ridiculous, but it makes sense to God and to me. I have faced challenges in this continuous journey, but more importantly, my God has always been there for me. He has not left when I have messed up or fallen short. In fact, he has picked me up and embraced me as a young daughter of his own. To be held by an everlasting father who knows you (literally) from the inside out, leaves me awestruck.
Openly sharing my faith has also been a new journey for me. For years, I have kept my relationship with God very private. Until now, he has shown me that through community, brings restoration and discipleship. Through community we begin to learn more about ourselves and each other and the world than we ever would begin to understand by ourselves. God is not impressed by a "pharisee" kind of faith. A life that preaches loudly from street corners and condemns those who do not conform to their ways. The faith that he has been placing on me this summer has been that of someone different. The Bible tells of a story of a widow who gives her last coin (literally, all of the money that she had left) to God. The religious elite were like those writing checks in today's society and thinking nothing of the poor. But, it is this woman who captures God's attention and brings healing to her life. I long to be this widow, so poor and destitute, that God calls her by her name. No longer is she characterized by these untrue stereotypes but her heart for God's kingdom is revealed in plain sight.
This woman is an inspiration to me and I hope, an inspiration to all of you reading this. I am not perfect, but I am slowly learning how to trust God with every area of my life. This brings about many new challenges and sometimes paths do intersect. But, I take comfort in knowing that regardless of the path I find myself walking barefoot on, God is always with me.
A question that I have been asked repeatedly this summer by friends, family and neighbors is "What's next? After college, do you know what you want to do?" I often wonder about the paths in my life. If I choose to take Path A, will I ever be found wandering on Path B? And if I choose Path B, will Path A be forever washed away from my life?
College is a time of exploration but more than that, it is a time of identity. Of finding out who you really are. Of discovering life from your very own eyes; a life that no one else can experience except you.
This summer, my identity has been found in God. I have been following the Spirit's leading in my life. To obey this "pushing" as I have come to call it, is new for me. The experiences have taken me places and caused me to grow in my faith. I guess you could say that my faith has become "simple." A faith honestly searching for God in the everyday brokenness of society; a faith that seeks to be the selfless love that Jesus calls us to inhabit; a faith that is not satisfied with being the same everyday but different. My God has shown me (oftentimes bluntly) that it is His purposes that matter in the world. When I begin to encompass his desires as my own, my life starts to make sense. I have found that it may not make sense to the world; in fact it probably looks ridiculous, but it makes sense to God and to me. I have faced challenges in this continuous journey, but more importantly, my God has always been there for me. He has not left when I have messed up or fallen short. In fact, he has picked me up and embraced me as a young daughter of his own. To be held by an everlasting father who knows you (literally) from the inside out, leaves me awestruck.
Openly sharing my faith has also been a new journey for me. For years, I have kept my relationship with God very private. Until now, he has shown me that through community, brings restoration and discipleship. Through community we begin to learn more about ourselves and each other and the world than we ever would begin to understand by ourselves. God is not impressed by a "pharisee" kind of faith. A life that preaches loudly from street corners and condemns those who do not conform to their ways. The faith that he has been placing on me this summer has been that of someone different. The Bible tells of a story of a widow who gives her last coin (literally, all of the money that she had left) to God. The religious elite were like those writing checks in today's society and thinking nothing of the poor. But, it is this woman who captures God's attention and brings healing to her life. I long to be this widow, so poor and destitute, that God calls her by her name. No longer is she characterized by these untrue stereotypes but her heart for God's kingdom is revealed in plain sight.
This woman is an inspiration to me and I hope, an inspiration to all of you reading this. I am not perfect, but I am slowly learning how to trust God with every area of my life. This brings about many new challenges and sometimes paths do intersect. But, I take comfort in knowing that regardless of the path I find myself walking barefoot on, God is always with me.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Pure
A friend once said:
"a glass can only spill what it actually contains."
I believe that this is the kind of commitment and sacrifice and love that Jesus asks of all of his followers. I believe that this is exactly what Jesus did and accomplished on the cross. I also believe that everyone (whether you identify as a follower of Jesus or not) is called to lay themselves down for someone else. We all have had experiences (or are having them now) that require us to put our neighbor's needs before our own. And sometimes, that is uncomfortable and/or exciting.
Jesus calls us to live such a life daily. He gets no extra fees and this choice comes without any gimmicks. This self-less life is often overlooked as "too good to be true." Similliar to those informercials that say if you buy this product in the next 90 seconds, your life will be great! But, Jesus is not an advertisement running across the television screen or a billboard on the highway. He is not absent from our lives only to be called upon when we are in desperate need. He is active and living today and everyday. He is all around us, through us and in us.
His life is like that of a glass cup. But, I think that the deeper part comes down to this: "What's in your cup?" Because if we can really get to the meaning behind the truth, then we have come to understanding. Before you pour the liquid into your cup, do you read the ingredients list on the back of the can or bottle? Are you filling up on just sugar and chemicals and preservatives? Or is it all natural? Is it made from real things in the environment? Does the nutrition label say: "made with grace, peace, forgiveness and love"?
When you finally pour that liquid into the glass, what does that substance say about you? About your life? Whatever you choose to quench your thirst is a direct reflection of you.
And when your glass is knocked over, (either planned or not) what flows out? Does the liquid bring forth help and healing or does it choke up anger and resentment?
Truthfully, I think that we all have a little Splenda in our drink. But, what does it take for us/me/you to work to make it pure? To be nothing but "all natural"?
You know how some waters (like Aquafina) say: "contains: water and salt"? How can water be anything but water? Why do we find the need to always enhance the flavor that is already so rich? In the same way, why do we all feel the need to enhance our lives with additional items and artificial ingredients?
Why do we do this?
I think that one of the many answers is that we feel uncomfortable being ourselves. We don't relish the opportunity of showing people our true selves. Our identity (whatever you find yourself immersed in) greatly impacts others. We never know how much we really impact a fellow human being (either positively or negatively). Our lives are always on display. They are a showcase. If we really examine the ways in which we live and it reveals that we are not comfortable with ourselves, then how will we ever be able to counsul and help others? If Christians are not able to find their sole purpose and satisfaction of new life in Christ, how will their friends know that there is another way to live apart from the sweeteners?
I also believe that another reason we enhance our drink with man-made materials is that we are afraid of making mistakes. We need to come to terms with the fact that as humans, we are not always going to get it right. It's important to learn from our mistakes so that we can become better stewards of our world and help others not to make the same ones that we did. Mistakes are one of life's learning tools. I'm not saying to go out and fill up on caffeine but what I am saying is that we are constantly reminded that through every fall, stumble and trip we acknowledge that we can't get through life on our own. Life is not supposed to be an independent journey. Humans were made for relationships and to experience and be dependent to the extent that it helps us not hurt us.
For those who identify as followers of Jesus, may he teach us how to be dependent on Him; to know that we are partners on life's journey. For those who may not profess to be followers of Jesus, may we begin to understand and take comfort in knowing that though all of us long for an artifical sweetener to add flavor to our drink, may we begin the process (however that may look for you personally) of removing this unncessary addition to making our drink pure.
Copyright July 2010: Alex
"a glass can only spill what it actually contains."
I believe that this is the kind of commitment and sacrifice and love that Jesus asks of all of his followers. I believe that this is exactly what Jesus did and accomplished on the cross. I also believe that everyone (whether you identify as a follower of Jesus or not) is called to lay themselves down for someone else. We all have had experiences (or are having them now) that require us to put our neighbor's needs before our own. And sometimes, that is uncomfortable and/or exciting.
Jesus calls us to live such a life daily. He gets no extra fees and this choice comes without any gimmicks. This self-less life is often overlooked as "too good to be true." Similliar to those informercials that say if you buy this product in the next 90 seconds, your life will be great! But, Jesus is not an advertisement running across the television screen or a billboard on the highway. He is not absent from our lives only to be called upon when we are in desperate need. He is active and living today and everyday. He is all around us, through us and in us.
His life is like that of a glass cup. But, I think that the deeper part comes down to this: "What's in your cup?" Because if we can really get to the meaning behind the truth, then we have come to understanding. Before you pour the liquid into your cup, do you read the ingredients list on the back of the can or bottle? Are you filling up on just sugar and chemicals and preservatives? Or is it all natural? Is it made from real things in the environment? Does the nutrition label say: "made with grace, peace, forgiveness and love"?
When you finally pour that liquid into the glass, what does that substance say about you? About your life? Whatever you choose to quench your thirst is a direct reflection of you.
And when your glass is knocked over, (either planned or not) what flows out? Does the liquid bring forth help and healing or does it choke up anger and resentment?
Truthfully, I think that we all have a little Splenda in our drink. But, what does it take for us/me/you to work to make it pure? To be nothing but "all natural"?
You know how some waters (like Aquafina) say: "contains: water and salt"? How can water be anything but water? Why do we find the need to always enhance the flavor that is already so rich? In the same way, why do we all feel the need to enhance our lives with additional items and artificial ingredients?
Why do we do this?
I think that one of the many answers is that we feel uncomfortable being ourselves. We don't relish the opportunity of showing people our true selves. Our identity (whatever you find yourself immersed in) greatly impacts others. We never know how much we really impact a fellow human being (either positively or negatively). Our lives are always on display. They are a showcase. If we really examine the ways in which we live and it reveals that we are not comfortable with ourselves, then how will we ever be able to counsul and help others? If Christians are not able to find their sole purpose and satisfaction of new life in Christ, how will their friends know that there is another way to live apart from the sweeteners?
I also believe that another reason we enhance our drink with man-made materials is that we are afraid of making mistakes. We need to come to terms with the fact that as humans, we are not always going to get it right. It's important to learn from our mistakes so that we can become better stewards of our world and help others not to make the same ones that we did. Mistakes are one of life's learning tools. I'm not saying to go out and fill up on caffeine but what I am saying is that we are constantly reminded that through every fall, stumble and trip we acknowledge that we can't get through life on our own. Life is not supposed to be an independent journey. Humans were made for relationships and to experience and be dependent to the extent that it helps us not hurt us.
For those who identify as followers of Jesus, may he teach us how to be dependent on Him; to know that we are partners on life's journey. For those who may not profess to be followers of Jesus, may we begin to understand and take comfort in knowing that though all of us long for an artifical sweetener to add flavor to our drink, may we begin the process (however that may look for you personally) of removing this unncessary addition to making our drink pure.
Copyright July 2010: Alex
Sunday, July 11, 2010
"because he loves me"
I came across this poem in the Providence Sunday Journal today and wanted to share it with you.
"our father who art in heaven"
he comes back
to the family now
with a vengeance
that seems odd
even to me,
the Queen of
never let them forget.
what could he
possibly hope to achieve
by arriving at the door
twenty some odd
many years
too late.
he offers us
a loaf of bread
telling us how long
he kneaded it,
and let it rise
until he knew it had
become
perfection.
he picked
the grapes from
his garden, where
they were grown
with optimism
and great faith.
tells us
all he is looking for
is one last meal
with his children,
a place to rest his head.
surely we could grant him that.
our father,
-Lynnie Gobeille
[it really spoke to me today. i also see some spiritual allusions...not sure if the poet intended them to be there, but they are.]
"our father who art in heaven"
he comes back
to the family now
with a vengeance
that seems odd
even to me,
the Queen of
never let them forget.
what could he
possibly hope to achieve
by arriving at the door
twenty some odd
many years
too late.
he offers us
a loaf of bread
telling us how long
he kneaded it,
and let it rise
until he knew it had
become
perfection.
he picked
the grapes from
his garden, where
they were grown
with optimism
and great faith.
tells us
all he is looking for
is one last meal
with his children,
a place to rest his head.
surely we could grant him that.
our father,
-Lynnie Gobeille
[it really spoke to me today. i also see some spiritual allusions...not sure if the poet intended them to be there, but they are.]
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
in love with Love
"Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps." - Psalm 85:13
"Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you."
- Psalm 86:2
"Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name."
-Psalm 86: 11
/////////////
God has already prepared the way for me. Jesus and his disciples have already gone before me. One of the writers of the Bible talks about "running the race that is marked before us." So, why the worry? For my Father says: "Do not worry." God has taken care of it all. He has provided for the birds and thus has provided an endless bounty for me. I keep on coming back to this passage in Luke 12:22-34. Verse 33 says to "sell your possessions and give to the poor." Poverty is more than a lack of material riches, homelessness and hunger. From personal experience, I know that there are people who are poor and look as if they have it all together. Poverty wears many different masks. Love wears none. True love is naked, exposed and vulnerable. The epitome of love is Jesus. The epitome of that love is God. The Holy Spirit lives inside us to make this love personal, alive and real. It's tangibility is evident everywhere, even in the most broken of places.
..."for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." (verse 34).
If my heart is on the things that God desires and I am moving and listening and seeking his advice from older Christians in the faith, then I know in my heart that God has it {my fears, concerns, worries, uncertainties} worked out.
Jeremiah 29:11 says:
"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Now, I know that verses such as these can be taken out of context if not read carefully; but for me, today, this comforting verse lets me know that just like I am devoted to God with my life, my spiritual purity and his purpose for me, I know that God is devoted to me. For my heart and my mind are on the things of God and though I get stuck in a rut sometimes, I am aware of my identity in Christ. I know that I am loved. When I come back to his word I am constantly brought closer to my only lover and Father. My reflection is in him and he is in me.
"Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you."
- Psalm 86:2
"Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name."
-Psalm 86: 11
/////////////
God has already prepared the way for me. Jesus and his disciples have already gone before me. One of the writers of the Bible talks about "running the race that is marked before us." So, why the worry? For my Father says: "Do not worry." God has taken care of it all. He has provided for the birds and thus has provided an endless bounty for me. I keep on coming back to this passage in Luke 12:22-34. Verse 33 says to "sell your possessions and give to the poor." Poverty is more than a lack of material riches, homelessness and hunger. From personal experience, I know that there are people who are poor and look as if they have it all together. Poverty wears many different masks. Love wears none. True love is naked, exposed and vulnerable. The epitome of love is Jesus. The epitome of that love is God. The Holy Spirit lives inside us to make this love personal, alive and real. It's tangibility is evident everywhere, even in the most broken of places.
..."for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." (verse 34).
If my heart is on the things that God desires and I am moving and listening and seeking his advice from older Christians in the faith, then I know in my heart that God has it {my fears, concerns, worries, uncertainties} worked out.
Jeremiah 29:11 says:
"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Now, I know that verses such as these can be taken out of context if not read carefully; but for me, today, this comforting verse lets me know that just like I am devoted to God with my life, my spiritual purity and his purpose for me, I know that God is devoted to me. For my heart and my mind are on the things of God and though I get stuck in a rut sometimes, I am aware of my identity in Christ. I know that I am loved. When I come back to his word I am constantly brought closer to my only lover and Father. My reflection is in him and he is in me.
Monday, July 5, 2010
poor in spirit
"The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become-the more we realize that everything in life is a gift" (The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning, page 81).
Sunday, July 4, 2010
far beyond the vow of "i do"
"To have the mind of Christ Jesus, to think his thoughts, share his ideals, dream his dreams, throb with his desires, replace our natural responses to persons and situations with the concern of Jesus, and make the mindset of Christ so completely our own that "the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" is not the secret of or shortcut to transparency. It is transparency" (Manning 38).
- it is a laying down of our own wants and needs and picking up Christ's wants and needs. It is humbly accepting a new perspective; a way of life completely different than mine. This new life that Christ offers is a daily struggle; it is not easy but it is worth it. a complete surrender to one person far surpasses my detailed map of life.
"Christianity, then, comprises more than involvement in human rights struggles, environmental causes, or peace programs. Fullness of life in the Spirit is more than finding Christ in others and serving him there. It is a summons to personal holiness, ongoing conversion, and new creation through union with Christ Jesus" (Manning 53).
- Living for Christ is work. i can never be perfected through actions and works if my heart and mind are not aligned with Christ's. If my desires become so weighty that they take precedence over God's than I have created a fictional character. Only a daily commitment and a lifetime of devotion to Jesus with our lives, our souls and our hearts will help to change our world that is governed by fear to a world passionately in love with its creator.
~ the above quotes came from Brennan Manning's book, The Importance of Being Foolish
- it is a laying down of our own wants and needs and picking up Christ's wants and needs. It is humbly accepting a new perspective; a way of life completely different than mine. This new life that Christ offers is a daily struggle; it is not easy but it is worth it. a complete surrender to one person far surpasses my detailed map of life.
"Christianity, then, comprises more than involvement in human rights struggles, environmental causes, or peace programs. Fullness of life in the Spirit is more than finding Christ in others and serving him there. It is a summons to personal holiness, ongoing conversion, and new creation through union with Christ Jesus" (Manning 53).
- Living for Christ is work. i can never be perfected through actions and works if my heart and mind are not aligned with Christ's. If my desires become so weighty that they take precedence over God's than I have created a fictional character. Only a daily commitment and a lifetime of devotion to Jesus with our lives, our souls and our hearts will help to change our world that is governed by fear to a world passionately in love with its creator.
~ the above quotes came from Brennan Manning's book, The Importance of Being Foolish
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
You
i want nothing more than knowing God.
nothing less than his mystery and
nothing more than what is his truest identity.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
i want to be drawn so close to him that I can
hear his breath
i want to feel his fingers run through my hair
and have him prune my life;
however that may look or feel.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
for his concern is not appearance but rather
heart.
rip my heart out of my chest and examine it under a microscope.
use your magnifying glass to see if there is any unworthy way in me.
teach me how to "let go"
making me become exactly how my Father saw me from the womb.
creation made a choice,
and though i may not make the correct or sensible move everytime,
teach me how to be humble.
show me ways in which i can express, receive and demonstrate humility.
show me ways in which i can love backwards.
for love isn't always forwards.
love isn't just a kiss and then a pulling away.
the love of God is so much more.
it is truly the love that lasts after the kiss and
penetrates the heart.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
nothing less than his mystery and
nothing more than what is his truest identity.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
i want to be drawn so close to him that I can
hear his breath
i want to feel his fingers run through my hair
and have him prune my life;
however that may look or feel.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
for his concern is not appearance but rather
heart.
rip my heart out of my chest and examine it under a microscope.
use your magnifying glass to see if there is any unworthy way in me.
teach me how to "let go"
making me become exactly how my Father saw me from the womb.
creation made a choice,
and though i may not make the correct or sensible move everytime,
teach me how to be humble.
show me ways in which i can express, receive and demonstrate humility.
show me ways in which i can love backwards.
for love isn't always forwards.
love isn't just a kiss and then a pulling away.
the love of God is so much more.
it is truly the love that lasts after the kiss and
penetrates the heart.
i want nothing more than knowing God.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
to be alone with me (us)
This morning, I woke up with the chorus of a song in my head:
"To be alone with me
To be alone with me
To be alone with me
You went up on a tree."
Last night I was worried about a lot of things that are ultimately out of my control. I was driving to meet a friend and the "what if's" started to knock on my door. I tell my friends that the "what if's" will destroy but until you experience the battle, it becomes a mere phrase that covers a large wound.
As I turned the corner of my street just before the highway, I caught sight of something absolutely spectacular. A sunset. I was completely in awe of such beauty. The shades of blues, yellows and whites were intricately woven together across the horizon of the skyline. It was a picture that no painter could have ever produced. Creation was the author.
In this moment, I was reminded that God is in control. It is not by my doing that the sunset was beautifully formed or that the grass turned green. No. I cannot do these extraordinary things that are so simple for God to do. Instead, I stand as a breathless child who experiences a rainbow for the first time.
Last night, I was mesmerized by such indescribable beauty and comforted by the truth that it's ok. It's quite all right that I do not possess nor have all the answers to all the questions that tumble around in my mind. It's quite all right that I may not know exactly what happens today, tomorrow or ten years from now. For when I get worried and long for unending assurance, God wraps me in a hug. The kind of hug that a mother gives to her child after she falls and scrapes her knee. Or when a guy and girl who are in love just sit and gaze at each other, each equally lost in the amazement that they could be loved by someone. God gives us this universal hug that crosses all bridges in order for us to give that love to someone else. His beauty is nature, his face is found in the homeless and his heart is nailed up on the cross for all to see. We can choose to walk by the human statue or stop, take it in, and ask "what then shall I do?"
"To be alone with me
To be alone with me
To be alone with me
You went up on a tree."
Last night I was worried about a lot of things that are ultimately out of my control. I was driving to meet a friend and the "what if's" started to knock on my door. I tell my friends that the "what if's" will destroy but until you experience the battle, it becomes a mere phrase that covers a large wound.
As I turned the corner of my street just before the highway, I caught sight of something absolutely spectacular. A sunset. I was completely in awe of such beauty. The shades of blues, yellows and whites were intricately woven together across the horizon of the skyline. It was a picture that no painter could have ever produced. Creation was the author.
In this moment, I was reminded that God is in control. It is not by my doing that the sunset was beautifully formed or that the grass turned green. No. I cannot do these extraordinary things that are so simple for God to do. Instead, I stand as a breathless child who experiences a rainbow for the first time.
Last night, I was mesmerized by such indescribable beauty and comforted by the truth that it's ok. It's quite all right that I do not possess nor have all the answers to all the questions that tumble around in my mind. It's quite all right that I may not know exactly what happens today, tomorrow or ten years from now. For when I get worried and long for unending assurance, God wraps me in a hug. The kind of hug that a mother gives to her child after she falls and scrapes her knee. Or when a guy and girl who are in love just sit and gaze at each other, each equally lost in the amazement that they could be loved by someone. God gives us this universal hug that crosses all bridges in order for us to give that love to someone else. His beauty is nature, his face is found in the homeless and his heart is nailed up on the cross for all to see. We can choose to walk by the human statue or stop, take it in, and ask "what then shall I do?"
Friday, June 25, 2010
empty my cup
In his book, The Importance of Being Foolish, writer Brennan Manning describes the love of Jesus as "kenosis - a total self-emptying." I could go on and on with examples and my own interpretation of what this kind of love is, but the fact of the matter is that if I do indeed do this, then I/we lose all understanding of Jesus' love. Therefore, in order to find out exactly what kenosis is, we must look at examples from the Bible in order to even begin to grasp such a foreign concept.
Many instances that Jesus had with his followers describe this kind of self-giving self-sacrifical love. I will only refer to a few of them. First, Jesus encounters a woman who was going to be stoned. This instance reminds me of a bunch of cats circling around a little mouse. Obviously, the mouse has nowhere to hide and is bound to be dinner for the intruding felines. In a similiar way, a group of men wanted to stone a woman. Jesus comes in and says: "Whoever is without sin, may you cast the first stone." Jesus completely revealed himself to the men and the woman by allowing his true nature to be exposed. He dealt with a conflicting situation with words rather than with violence. Jesus put himself out there for another person. He not only interacted with women who were considered lowly and without importance, but he treated both sexes with care and unbelievable compassion.
A second encounter worth mentioning is when Jesus heals the man born blind. Imagine being born without sight and a man comes up to you and puts mud on your eyes. In an instant, you are healed. Here, Jesus heals with a simple touch. Yet, this touch goes far beyond the physical healing of sight that this man longed for. This encounter was an expression of the Father's love through his son Jesus; a love that looked beyond social status, class, income, career, family, health, etc. straight to the heart of the person. Jesus had this innate ability to have compassion for anyone that he came into contact with. Jesus was able to look at a person and see a reflection of himself.
Which leads me to my third example. The one that is probably the most cliche of all in our culture yet the one loaded with meaning and significance. Jesus' crucifixion. Aside from the symboliism that the Gospel writers use to describe Jesus' death, the love, the kenosis, is found here. It is found in the blood that Jesus shed, in the words that he uttered, in the way that he lived his life not for himself, but for other people. Jesus was not a force to be reckoned with. He was a human with feelings, passions, desires, hopes and dreams just like all of us. He longed to be held, to be touched, to be told those three simple words that young lovers tell each other: "I love you."
So, how do we live the kenosis kind of love? It's not a simple, three step process. It is a daily reminder that without God, I cannot live this way on my own. It is a daily reminder that his grace is free and that I can do nothing to earn his gift of salvation. It is accepting that his death is already completed, and yet, it is a daily dying to myself; laying down the mindset that "It's my way." It's an outpouring of love that knows no limits and goes to the ends of the earth for a friend. It's a love that is a constant reminder of humility. It is a love that is similiar to that of an expecting mother. She loves her child though she has not seen him/her yet. As one of the writers in the Bible says: "You knew me before I was born. You knit me together in my mother's womb." It's loving another person not because of their college degree or lack thereof; its looking at a person, feeling that tug in your heart and seeing yourself in them.
That's the kind of kenosis love that Jesus gave.
For me, it is a daily struggle to love this way. It's giving up my impulses in order to see another fellow neighbor rise in the sunlight. By myself, its impossible to do this. But with God, I know its possible because everyday, I am experiencing a little bit more of this love that Jesus so often displayed and talked about. It is this love that is one of the two greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." You can't have one without the other. You can't say that you love God and hate your neighbor (or visa - vis.) They are, indeed, mutually exclusive.
I'll leave you with one last thought from the Bible.
"Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends."
Imagine if we all loved in this way.
How different would our world be?
Many instances that Jesus had with his followers describe this kind of self-giving self-sacrifical love. I will only refer to a few of them. First, Jesus encounters a woman who was going to be stoned. This instance reminds me of a bunch of cats circling around a little mouse. Obviously, the mouse has nowhere to hide and is bound to be dinner for the intruding felines. In a similiar way, a group of men wanted to stone a woman. Jesus comes in and says: "Whoever is without sin, may you cast the first stone." Jesus completely revealed himself to the men and the woman by allowing his true nature to be exposed. He dealt with a conflicting situation with words rather than with violence. Jesus put himself out there for another person. He not only interacted with women who were considered lowly and without importance, but he treated both sexes with care and unbelievable compassion.
A second encounter worth mentioning is when Jesus heals the man born blind. Imagine being born without sight and a man comes up to you and puts mud on your eyes. In an instant, you are healed. Here, Jesus heals with a simple touch. Yet, this touch goes far beyond the physical healing of sight that this man longed for. This encounter was an expression of the Father's love through his son Jesus; a love that looked beyond social status, class, income, career, family, health, etc. straight to the heart of the person. Jesus had this innate ability to have compassion for anyone that he came into contact with. Jesus was able to look at a person and see a reflection of himself.
Which leads me to my third example. The one that is probably the most cliche of all in our culture yet the one loaded with meaning and significance. Jesus' crucifixion. Aside from the symboliism that the Gospel writers use to describe Jesus' death, the love, the kenosis, is found here. It is found in the blood that Jesus shed, in the words that he uttered, in the way that he lived his life not for himself, but for other people. Jesus was not a force to be reckoned with. He was a human with feelings, passions, desires, hopes and dreams just like all of us. He longed to be held, to be touched, to be told those three simple words that young lovers tell each other: "I love you."
So, how do we live the kenosis kind of love? It's not a simple, three step process. It is a daily reminder that without God, I cannot live this way on my own. It is a daily reminder that his grace is free and that I can do nothing to earn his gift of salvation. It is accepting that his death is already completed, and yet, it is a daily dying to myself; laying down the mindset that "It's my way." It's an outpouring of love that knows no limits and goes to the ends of the earth for a friend. It's a love that is a constant reminder of humility. It is a love that is similiar to that of an expecting mother. She loves her child though she has not seen him/her yet. As one of the writers in the Bible says: "You knew me before I was born. You knit me together in my mother's womb." It's loving another person not because of their college degree or lack thereof; its looking at a person, feeling that tug in your heart and seeing yourself in them.
That's the kind of kenosis love that Jesus gave.
For me, it is a daily struggle to love this way. It's giving up my impulses in order to see another fellow neighbor rise in the sunlight. By myself, its impossible to do this. But with God, I know its possible because everyday, I am experiencing a little bit more of this love that Jesus so often displayed and talked about. It is this love that is one of the two greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." You can't have one without the other. You can't say that you love God and hate your neighbor (or visa - vis.) They are, indeed, mutually exclusive.
I'll leave you with one last thought from the Bible.
"Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends."
Imagine if we all loved in this way.
How different would our world be?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)