Reading CS Lewis and his encounter with
his mentor/teacher William T. Kirkpatrick (a stiff and tough instructor
in how to think) Lewis is said to mention that “I hear you,” was
the closest thing to praise ever uttered by Kirk (William).
“I
hear that” because I have often, but not easily or too frequently,
offered these same words to others who speak from their heart –
whether pain or joy or just an opinion – and put themselves out
there for all to see; giving others the possibility of criticizing
or laughing. Perhaps that would be all I need now and then when
someone reads my blog and would do me the honor to say so, in some
way.
So,
if you find this page interesting; or if the words hit your life in
some way; or if you have shared this with someone else because you
think it might help them; perhaps you could let me know that this
page was not lost in cyberspace some where, but was actully read and
understood by someone. A simple comment of “I hear that” would be
great encouragement to me, even if you do it only once. Sometimes I
feel a little lonely out here in “real” space.
Meanwhile,
as I was reading our passages from Paul's writings, which we are reading to complement our sermon series on Act 13 and following, I
came across this admonition: Paul is writing to the Corinthians,
scolding them for their self righteous attitudes, self serving
bragging about “who” they are ”following” and how that makes
them special; he declares that he is sending his “son” Timothy to
be with them and help them find their way back to reason by reminding
them of what Paul actually taught them. But he also declares a desire
and a determination to get back to them himself.
In
closing he says, “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a
whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit.” And here I remembered
that old fashion way of discipline... “Come out to the woodshed
with me.”
Paul
was not afraid to declare that the Corinthians needed some
discipline. They were his children in Christ and He was their Father,
sent by Christ. In other words, he was responsible for them and he
intended to take care of business, one way or another. He was well
aware of the responsibility leaders in the faith held, and would be
judged for in the end.
He
did not put them in “time out” nor did he send them to their
rooms to think about what the had done and were doing; neither did he
say, “Shame on you. Now go and continue as you were.”
No.
He told them there would be consequences if they did not shape up and
humble themselves before God; stopping the “bragging” nonsense
and the sinful behavior. Then he moved on to tell them other things
that needed changing because they were sinning in those things as
well. And, if we go on to the next letter we will find that they were
a pretty stiff-necked people about all of this.
So
how do we shape up in the stiff-necked category? Are we hearing what
God said? And, even better, are we doing what God said? Do we even
want to know what He said?
I
sincerely hope that we do want to know and that we are making an
effort to hear from Him everyday in many ways; not just reading one
verse with an effort from someone else to bring us light though
what they are thinking about that verse; Or are we reading
through the books of the Bible (not necessarily in order) but with
consistent effort to see the “Big Picture” laid out at our feet
by the hand of God himself.
I
suppose you can guess by now that I am adamant about reading and
studying God's word, line by line, in the Books He has given us as
the underlying premise of our faith and beliefs – even if we only
read one verse at a time, or one chapter or even one "section" title at a time. We must just keep reading, and reading,
while also making note of and studying the Word in many various ways.
Ask
anyone who gardens: Digging in the soil yourself is a blessing beyond
words and an uplifting joy, even though one may not be able to grow
everything they want to, they can find Joy in what they do grow and
eat.
Then
there was Psalm 34, verse 17: The righteous cry out, and the Lord
hears them...” Here my thoughts turned to the fact that I seriously
try to keep myself busy in doing righteous things in order to BE
righteous. Do you see anything wrong with that?
Wow.
How many times have I frustrated over someone who will not let their
Lord be their righteousness, but go on sinning by pushing their own
agenda for the life they are willing to live.
When
will I learn not to do that? When will I learn that my righteousness
before God is in Christ and Christ alone!!! When will I learn that I
must stop making myself busy with righteous busyness in order to “Be
still and know that (He) is God!! When will I humble myself to stop
making my own plans for how my perfect life should be “worked”
out, and let Him have His way, however strange it may feel.
Well,
once again it has been a busy day; But this time I hope some headway
has been made for the glorification of God, in myself and in others.
May
the God of our fathers and the Lord Jesus Christ, be with us all as
we daily struggle to be what He wants us to be; and may we be
listening and hearing Him speak to us through out our days on this
earth, until we can be with Him one day.
Can
you hear that? :)
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