The deeper joy comes not from getting what we want, or even then in having it [they can seem to promote in human life more like general, surface, happiness, but they can almost as much, actually lead to depression and anxiety "when I get what I want, it is not what I want", C.S. Lewis' conception of Joy, being a deep and wondrous longing for something you don't actually get - yet. Like this whole life is a courtship of God and his not yet (but will be, and can therefore be), honourable bride, his new HUMANITY]. But meanwhile humanity really lives not from our (God given) food only, but in what comes from our God's mouth. We really do live upon that intimate connection with you, creative love.
The things we most desire to do of all
(confusingly) are things that you (Oh God)
would bless us by "commanding" us or call
-ing us to do them with you, to have trod
where you have trod, while still holding your hand.
While walking, to be present with you there,
what-ever your stand is, to under-stand
as much as we are able, and to share
our ignorance with you, and from you learn;
thus listen when you speak, and still recall
your words as we go on, to dwell on, turn
them over in our minds, let your seed fall
upon them and dwell in them, take root, grow,
within & from & through them as in soil,
or as a bride with groom in afterglow
would cherish their own progeny and toil
to care for their combined offspring, and share
their love and wisdom through the years that come.
And as their knowledge of the other there,
grows with their dreams and understandings, some-
-thing of creative love's nature ensues,
comes out in wanting their child to grow up,
with knowledge of reality to choose
themselves to grow more of creative love.
And future hope (who's best friends with CL),
along with shalom peace (which means to thrive),
and faithfulness to keep each word that shall
come from them to the world, - will all arrive!
Recall
That book by Francis & Lisa Chan: You and me forever … seeing marriage as a temporary leg up to learning to live in love for the next 10 million years.
The scripture regarding a man looking after his own family/ a shepherd looking after his own flock ( "an church leader/elder.. must be able to manage his own family well and make his children obey him with all respect. For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? 1 Timothy 3:4-5 GNBDC/ "So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son." Acts 20:28 GNTD;
We think that God has taught us (in line with our "all/whole of life discipleship", or "life deep" approach, expressed in one of our mottos "let your natural life be spiritual, and your spiritual life be natural") that our strength is not necessarily in running events (though being willing to if it was needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God, and if there was no-one-else running that event whom we could legitimately join in with), but in being present as children of YaHWeH in the everyday "events" of life, to invite others into them, and to join together with each other in them. (e.g. this week: a birthday party on Saturday, a volunteer from english class texting the teacher that they couldn't make it on Wednesday, someone after a major operation starting at the gym again on Thursday), then praying for and contributing to my household's wellbeing and growth (discussions with my wife, learning the disciplines of discussing non-violently and compassionately, time with my granddaughter, grandson, daughter, & daughter-in-law, doing Thursday night podcasts on paradigms of approaching ancient sacred text with a daughter and son-in-law who are currently sharing our home, or going on an interstate drive with my son-in-law to a sporting carnival, seeing about helping a local builder and another son-in-law with their friends at a nearby town devastated by flooding. Expecting God to bring others around to me, or me into others' lives to do … (whatever good deeds he helps me see, to join with him on, at the time).
Look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs: do I think I need to eat? Well, much more than that lovely, useful, (God-given) gift of daily bread, I need what comes from the mouth of God for me at this time and place. Consider Yeshua's words to Martha, and to Bartimaeus.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for adding to the conversation...