The other day while I was standing at my pantry door, I happened to catch sight of the sugar canister and noticed that there were two foreign invaders present. My first thought was that someone had gotten crumbs in the sugar, but unfortunately that was not the case. Since the canister is airtight, I can only assume it was open long enough for the nasty little critters to sneak in unnoticed. Yuk! Now, I keep a super clean house, so it disturbs me that this would happen. I realize it's spring time and bugs get in, but how could they have crept in so far without my notice? I am vigilant about bugs and such! Out went the sugar and the canister was scrubbed scrupulously clean. Only good, safe sugar will do!
The whole situation got me thinking about other things that I have become keenly aware of lately. Things that had crept into my mind without detection and needed to be examined, thrown out, and replaced with the good stuff. A few months ago, I heard some teaching that seemed to be off the mark--or to be more explicit--downright bad doctrine. I can't say it isn't stuff I haven't heard before, but for some reason (and I am not willing to conjecture why) I heard it with new ears. So I went to the Bible to research and listened to some very sound Biblical teaching, and now I know what was wrong with that teaching. It really disturbs me that I have heard false teaching before and have not recognized it or questioned it, and have even passed it on. How did I come to accept it as true? How did it sneak in unnoticed?
I think the answer lies in the prevailing popular approach to modern religion-- a post-modern, seeker approach. (Disclaimer: I confess that I am not a Bible scholar, theologian, or schooled in any formal way in the topic of religion, so these are all my own conclusions drawn from some really good commentary from sound theologians and my own observations.) There are a good number of preachers and teachers who tell us what is appealing to us. They package church in a manner that makes it indistinguishable from popular culture, they fail to point out our nature as sinners in need of salvation through the atoning death of Jesus, they feed our compulsion to "do" by giving us three/five/seven ways we can appear to be a good Christian (the sin of pride comes to mind). And what I have observed most is that they make everything about US--how do we interpret the Word, what does the scripture say about or mean to us (without consideration for the context of the text), what we can do, what's our testimony--and they leave out Jesus or stick in one passage of the Bible, taken out of context, to support the point. All these things are like sugar to my complacent, self-centered, sinful nature, but they are full of bugs. What is candy to my ears may bring sickness to my soul. It is vital that we stay alert to what is taught, preached, and proposed. We are compelled to shine the light of Scripture on what we have heard. I am determined now to question, compare and contrast teaching to the Gospel, to challenge, and even to confront. This post may even seem a bit confrontational. It might appear sweet and loving for me to let it go, but we are called to confront that which is false in order to help lead others out of sin. Since I have struggled/struggle with this myself, I care that my brothers and sisters do too. Please question what you hear, go to the Bible, seek good pastoral counsel, and even gently confront. Even if that means me.
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens and in
this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is
nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions." -Galatians 6:1-4a
Peace,
Mary
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Ch-ch-ch- ch-changes
It's been a while since I've written. It's not really on purpose, but sometimes life moves at a pace with which my mind can't really keep up. I am still processing it and formulating thoughts and feelings about it all. I find myself spinning and zigzagging to face the changes that are flying at me now. I ponder what changes God and life have brought and the choices I have made to create changes in my life over the last few years. Some were subtle, some were monumental. And I look now at what is unfolding before us with both excitement and slight anxiety for the unknown.
In some ways my life looks much different now than two years ago. Then I was extremely unhappy working a full-time job that did not offer any satisfaction but emotionally and physically took everything I had to make it through a day--It was not the work, but the people and their manipulations and squabbling who were literally driving me to the brink of my sanity and draining me. (By the way, reliable resources say this work environment is still the same.) Today, I work part-time as a substitute teacher and love it! I have more time with my family and the place I work is a professional environment where healthy boundaries exist and mutual respect is shown. My children are much happier to have me with them (yes,even at school together) and fully attentive and mostly compassionate (because I am still challenged there). My husband, who travels almost constantly, is thrilled that I can be with him when he does get a few days at home.
This morning, in my comfy over-sized chair, it dawned on me that next year my life will look a lot different from now, from two years ago, from ever before. And I realized that when you are younger, your life does naturally change at a much more rapid pace. Many people graduate high school, earn their college degree, enter the work force, and maybe even marry in the period of four or five years. I did. After that, the big changes usually occur at a slower pace. By the time you reach your forties, you've mostly settled in so you may help your children adjust to their changes and deal with the impact their changes bring to you. Being an observer to the changes your children experience is challenging enough!
But the old axiom is true, as long as we are living and breathing, we are changing. (Thank you, God!) I know I am not the only one who finds myself making big transitions at this stage of life. Collectively we find ourselves here for a myriad of reasons, sometimes a combination of more than one. It's the economy and its casualties, a midlife or health crisis, a spiritual wake-up call, a redefining of values and priorities, a new vocational calling, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a heart's true desire, or you fill in the blank. Whatever the reason, we are not alone. I am in the company of other people, and most importantly, God.
While my changes are good and my emotions about them are mostly positive, still I have to be careful not to rush through the now to get to the "when". And when those moments of anxiety about the unknown and the future creep in, I must remember that God is in control and that I am able to be in constant communion with Him. The devotional I read, Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence, reminded me yesterday.
You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here
and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments
slip through their fingers, half-lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future
or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are sub-
ject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them
only in the present.
Enjoy this day!
Mary
In some ways my life looks much different now than two years ago. Then I was extremely unhappy working a full-time job that did not offer any satisfaction but emotionally and physically took everything I had to make it through a day--It was not the work, but the people and their manipulations and squabbling who were literally driving me to the brink of my sanity and draining me. (By the way, reliable resources say this work environment is still the same.) Today, I work part-time as a substitute teacher and love it! I have more time with my family and the place I work is a professional environment where healthy boundaries exist and mutual respect is shown. My children are much happier to have me with them (yes,even at school together) and fully attentive and mostly compassionate (because I am still challenged there). My husband, who travels almost constantly, is thrilled that I can be with him when he does get a few days at home.
This morning, in my comfy over-sized chair, it dawned on me that next year my life will look a lot different from now, from two years ago, from ever before. And I realized that when you are younger, your life does naturally change at a much more rapid pace. Many people graduate high school, earn their college degree, enter the work force, and maybe even marry in the period of four or five years. I did. After that, the big changes usually occur at a slower pace. By the time you reach your forties, you've mostly settled in so you may help your children adjust to their changes and deal with the impact their changes bring to you. Being an observer to the changes your children experience is challenging enough!
But the old axiom is true, as long as we are living and breathing, we are changing. (Thank you, God!) I know I am not the only one who finds myself making big transitions at this stage of life. Collectively we find ourselves here for a myriad of reasons, sometimes a combination of more than one. It's the economy and its casualties, a midlife or health crisis, a spiritual wake-up call, a redefining of values and priorities, a new vocational calling, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a heart's true desire, or you fill in the blank. Whatever the reason, we are not alone. I am in the company of other people, and most importantly, God.
While my changes are good and my emotions about them are mostly positive, still I have to be careful not to rush through the now to get to the "when". And when those moments of anxiety about the unknown and the future creep in, I must remember that God is in control and that I am able to be in constant communion with Him. The devotional I read, Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence, reminded me yesterday.
You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here
and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments
slip through their fingers, half-lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future
or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are sub-
ject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them
only in the present.
Enjoy this day!
Mary
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