Stating the Obvious

Stating the obvious never makes sense to me, unless of course it is what you need to do for clarification or legal documentation purposes. It seems so devoid of thought- of the intellectual ability that God gave us when he created our minds. So often conversation with others seems to revolve around what is immediately observable and well, obvious without need for verbal comment. Perhaps it's a manifestation of great amounts of sensing being used. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but personally, I eventually find the lack of something more to be boring and limiting. Why stop at step one when there is so much more?

In my room, which was formerly a theological library and is now a fine art and personal affects storage site, there is a stack of journals from various family members. In these journals, daily happenings are described in the most straightforward, concise way possible. Content includes who came to visit and when, what the weather was like, what birds were sighted that day, who had their birthday, etc. The authors were not elderly when writing, I assure you.

When conversation stalls and people don't know what to talk about it, why not take a leap sometime and instead of talking about the weather, the decor or what you are going to do that week it might be time to take a leap into the unknown and go deeper, to ask what their opinion is on a current happening, why they like something, how something has changed them, what advice they could give on a certain topic etc.  Or maybe just silence could happen? A time for silence, when all fruitful and aimless chatter ceases...

" Silence does not mean dumbness, as speech does not mean chatter. Dumbness does not create solitude and chatter does not create fellowship."  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Grace

Dear Heart, Soul and Brain,

It is time to remember that God's grace is for the annoying, downright hurtful and inhumane. God's grace covers all. For some reason it is easier for me to extend and remember God's grace in the really difficult situations, to forgive the big things and remember that Christ died on the cross for the murderer and the thief. Yet it's the seemingly smaller things that make it harder for me to recognize  my need to forgive and respond in love, to remember that Christ died for that uncalled for comment, passive aggressive behavior or disrespectful action. I am to be ever transformed by the renewing of my mind and heart through Christ Jesus in me. So this means that right now that I will forgive bossiness, passive aggressiveness, assumptive words and actions and those who act with less than genuine motive. I will not respond in kind. I will forgive and pray for them, remembering all that Christ forgave me. I will lay these things before the cross where Christ's blood covers all - yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

• ...bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

 Colossians 3:13 

Out of the Comfort Zone

Journal Entry 10/4/12

"Today while waiting for the bus I watched a homeless man dig through the trash looking for food. He was pretty unsuccessful in this endeavor and approached me, asking for fare money. I offered him half a bag of almonds I had in my purse, which he took and immediately started devouring, but I could have done so much more. I could have looked him in the eye, started a conversation and treated him like a respectable human being. I could have asked if I could pray for him or offered to buy him lunch. Why was I so uncomfortable? Really it boils down to fear- fear of not knowing what to say, fear of my physical safety being endangered and fear of awkwardness. But why should I be afraid? I have God to trust for all guidance, leading and protection. Awkwardness, that silly English word and concept that doesn't exist in so many languages or cultures... Help me to do better next time Father."

From Whence You Came

My teacher strongly believes in the importance of understanding your heritage. He points to the walls of his studio that are covered with myriads of signed photos displaying the legends of the violin and classical music world for the past two centuries and impresses upon his students the importance of grasping who these people were, what made them great and why we need to pass on their legacies. So much so, that he recently gave me a book about his teacher with an inscription which read: "May this book help you trace from whence you came. You are now a direct descendant of my musical father, Mr. Gingold." Understanding history in all areas of life is a treasure that is often neglected. It is important to know the past, because it is one of two major facets that shape the present and the future. It gives rise to vision, foresight and understanding the present moment. It is useful as long as information is used and not merely recounted.

I spent Memorial Day weekend with my aunt and grandparents in a tiny town that is rich with generations of family history. I learned much over this weekend while listening to stories and observing familial dynamics. One small piece of trivia I learned is that my great great grandfather was a U.S. Senator.

I was also reminded that I have always been a very determined person that sees roadblocks merely as obstacles and takes on the big, difficult things.

Why does any of this matter? I understood myself better as a result of those three days and have a clearer picture of who I am, who I want to become and how to get there. I understand why it has been harder for me to connect with some members of my family than others and was able to rejoice in a beautiful example of marriage built on Christ and love chosen for 60 years. My grandma has dementia and needs constant care, which my 89 year old grandpa gives selflessly and with great sensitivity. One day, a visitor remarked, “she is blessed to have you" to which my normally composed grandpa replied with a hint of surprise and tearyness, " I've been blessed to have her all these years."

To jump in another, yet correlated direction....

I think this same concept applies to the realm of spiritual things. What spiritual influences (principles, ideas, people, etc.)  have shaped us? What is our spiritual heritage from our ancestors in the church? What is our spiritual inheritance?  (That one is more clear cut and readily available in scripture.) As we move forward in our lives, what kind of spiritual legacy do we want to leave and how will we carry it out?

The Light Has Come

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Blogging is the last thing I should be doing right now. With so much to do, I've been pulling 10-14 hour work days these past few weeks, but tonight is an evening of catching up on life essentials and, as I realized late this afternoon, it is Good Friday. That is how out of touch I have been with the outside world. I didn't realize this is Easter weekend until today when I saw a pamphlet for an Easter service and found a chocolate rabbit in my mail box.

Tonight I am reflecting on what Christ has done for us- all of us. I am rejoicing that he has taken our sin and shame and has given us bright hope for today and tomorrow. The past few days have been a bit somber for me. I learned yesterday that an old friend of mine unexpectedly lost her brother on Wednesday. He was a junior at Taylor University, where I spent the first two years of my undergrad. His sister, Molly, is a wonderful woman and my heart goes out to her and all those who knew her brother Josh. This is especially difficult for this university community as it is so small and comes on the heels of another tragic loss. In the spring of 2006, four students and one staff member were killed in a car accident. For months the identity of two students was mistaken and many had to relive the horror of finding out that their loved one was actually dead. The death of Christ that we celebrate this weekend gives us comfort, strength, joy and new life. For Josh Larkin, his time on earth has come to an end, but his life in heaven is just beginning. Christ, the light of the  world has brought eternal life within our grasp. Christ is the light at the end of the tunnel and in the midst of it. Praise God!


Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/146419175.html


Lyrics to The Light Will Come by Phil Wickham


To the one with the wounded heart
The years fighting have left you scarred
Wait the light will come
To the one with the distant eyes
All this crying has left you dry
Wait the light will come
Wait the light will come
Lift your eyes
The sun has overcome the night
Come alive
As we shine in loves true light


Here is laughter beyond the tears
Here is courage to face your fears
Look the light has come
So rise you daughters and stand you sons
Claim the victory that Jesus won
Look the Light has come
Look the Light has come

Art: Good, Better, Best?

One beautiful aspect of art is that it is ambiguous. It can be interpreted in many ways and awaken diverse reactions. It isn't black and white, but rather every shade in the color spectrum in an unfathomable number of combinations. Yet we often attach labels that judge quality, inferring that there is some set standard or way of evaluating and sorting art into a hierarchical list.

What makes art good or bad? Is it how well it is technically executed according to the standards of the particular location and time it exists in? Is it how deeply it resonates with the soul of the audience? Is it how  complex it is? Does value depend on how much discernible, logical structure exists? Or is it simply how beautiful it is? ( Subjective anyone?) Is it good to the degree that it accurately depicts something? Does the level of its value lie in the extent of originality displayed or rather timeless reflection on the past?

I came across the quote below that artfully sweeps away many questions for the Christian and provides great clarity on this topic. It is so simplistically obvious, yet artfully worded and truth- filled.  It carries with  it a reminder: The good and best art is not necessarily what society may laud as the best.

"What is the best of all possible things? That which is infinite, always present and undecaying.  That which is both many and one. That which is pure, ultimate and humble. That which is spirit and yet personal. That which is just and yet merciful. Yahweh, God. Father, Son and Holy Ghost. What is the best of all possible Art? That which reveals, captures, and communicates as many facets of that Being as is possible in a finite frame."  


Extracted from Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson 

A Time for Everything Under the Sun

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
- Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 


This week is spring break, an earned hiatus from my frenzied schedule and an opportunity to gear up for the final two months of the academic year. I went into it with a very long agenda, which included relaxation. One of the things I looked forward to was sitting down to quiet my heart and mind enough for some drawn out times of reflection and deep thinking. This is something that I enjoy, though life makes it difficult to engage in as frequently as I would like. As this week began, I found myself subconsciously avoiding thinking about the very things I had been eagerly anticipating pondering. I realized that I was overwhelmed by all the expectations various individuals, including myself, have for me. Expectations for quality of work, getting things done, making decisions, etc. I was putting intense pressure on myself to figure everything out and I didn't know how. Then I noticed the absurdity in this. It's not my job to figure anything out. God calls me to ask for his guidance, trust, wait, listen and then obediently act according to his leading. As for the expectations of others, if I am walking in obedience, their reaction does not matter. What peace and freedom there is in taking the focus off yourself and shifting it to Christ, who knows all, is all, does all and loves all.


"...also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."

We are to live every moment to the fullest, learning and growing from everything- merriment and toil alike. This is God's gift to me, to you.

I've realized I am not fully soaking up the richness of every season, every situation I am placed in. When my time is filled with hard work I long for relaxation and when I relax, I think about what I should be doing, hampering my ability to fully enjoy the blessings and lessons God has for then. I have become much more content with living in Pittsburgh and the rest of my life right now, but on a smaller scale there is certainly room for growth.