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Posts Tagged ‘paradox’

Divine Weapons

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The metaphors of war and weapons are not my favorites and yet I do believe I have access to tools within, where the Christ Spirit dwells, to help me resist my ongoing bad habits and harsh judgments I make against others. The power is all there. I just don’t tap into it.

II Corinthians 10:3-4a
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

The 3-D world in which I walk and live has its own rules and recommendations for change. There’s a lot about “doing” and “pulling up of boot straps” and “taking charge.” But the way of Christ is different. It’s the opposite of what we think. It’s the rule of paradox. It’s “being” and not always doing. It’s letting go of “my way” and going the way of Jesus. It’s mindfulness about others.

The divine weapons don’t manifest while I’m using my own weapons. Divine power waits until I have expended all of my “personal power” and efforts.

This truth is one of the reasons why Alcoholics Anonymous and similar 12-step programs are so successful. The person must come to the end of self. There is a step, even a leap, across the threshold into the arms of a higher power. God never misses.

I cannot wield divine weapons. I can only submit to them. This is the essence of faith.

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Blinded by the god of this age

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 21, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Who is the god of “this” age. Paul referenced the power of the god of his age who blinded the mind and heart, is it the same god? Is this that scrappy scapegoat “the devil,” or is it we ourselves? Aren’t we mini-gods, manipulating the world around us with our knowledge and discovery?

II Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

In an age where logic and science rule, evidence and observation reign, is there room for faith in paradox and the miraculous?

How do we believe in mountains can be moved by “faith as big as a mustard seed?” How do we believe that the Lazarus’s of this age, can rise from the dead by command. How do we embrace the peculiarities of Christianity where the meek inherit the earth, turn the other cheek, die to live, give to receive, and so forth.

In Mark 10:50-52, Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. It was up to the blind man to actually ask to see.

Lord, where I am blind, allow me to see.

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Stand Firm, Hold Fast

Posted in Ordinary Time, tagged , , , , , , , on July 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

There is a piece of my journey that rests strictly with me: standing firm and holding fast. It’s the “free will” part of the plan. I must choose to stand as long as I am able, to stand with faith by holding fast to the One who promises there is good reason to do it.

I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

If there is no world or realm outside of this three-dimensional one, if there is no changed body, if there is no kingdom where love is the norm and sin is untenable, then really, what is the point?

It’s all about the kingdom of heaven, really. Jesus is the door, the long-awaited door, by the way. He came and left with us the keys to the kingdom. He showed us “the way.”

The way is still there but continues to be an obstacle course. As a people, we allow the vines and briers to grow over and along the path just like the hedge of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Or, we are seduced to go the easier way at the crossroads. Or, we have lost the tools to cut down the vines, like the sword of truth.

This path should not be one of pride (as though my being on the path is something extraordinary). I’m just fortunate to have had a glimpse of it. But I am pretty sure it is most difficult to traverse the long journey alone. I keep trying to do this alone. I confess it; I know it. This is the primary reason for “church,” a team to travel together. But I don’t always feel like we’re on the same path.

Christianity is filled with paradox. And this is what I need to understand. Probably, the way that is least likely, is the way to go. The people who are least likely to help, are probably the guides.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [Matthew 7:14]

This is the cause for the narrowness, the paradox and the sins of the nations.

Oh yes, I must stand firm this day, to stand in my faith that there is a way and I am on it. I must also hold fast to the hem of his garment [Matthew 9:21], and I will be able to stay on the path. There are indeed, “lions & tigers & bears, oh my” [Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz], but I believe in a Christ who will never leave me or forsake me [Hebrews 13:5].

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Cycle of Love

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

In my daily work, I think of myself as a broker of information. I am often the connection between what is “out there” and the people who need it. God’s love is the same way. We are brokers of love. . . or not.

Romans 8:39b
” . . . nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Amplified]

I am currently facilitating a Bible study on the letters of John and the message is strong and clear about the power of love. This force is more dynamic and stronger than any other force in the universe. This is the energy of God. And I can have it. I have permission to use that power. I am encouraged to use it.

What is the cost? Free! From the Giver, it is free and always available. Except there is one hitch: a user’s fee and even pain or suffering from the backlash, also known as rejection. In other words, I can receive an endless stream of love from God and it is guaranteed, but there is no guarantee when I try to pass it on. Love is a cycle and when it stops moving around, it changes in quality, loses its effectiveness.

When the cycle is broken, I lose my confidence in the power of love. I lose my confidence that love is even present. I lose my ability to feel, sense, know, see, hear, smell love.

Love has to flow like a river for me to experience the fullness of it.

I always hated it when people would throw out the cliche, “Jesus loves you.” Here’s the revelation for me today: Jesus does love me but I won’t know this love until I love the “other.” I can’t collect Jesus’ love or God’s love in a bottle to drink from it when I get thirsty. That love is in “real time.”

This is just one more example of the paradox in the way of Christ: give away love to receive love. Die to live.

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