“Storms make the oak grow deeper roots.” ~ George Herbert
Prolific fruit is indicative of equally prolific roots. If one could see a top-to-bottom cross sectional view of a mature oak tree, one would see a vast root network that somewhat mirrors the grandeur of the trees above-ground trunk, limbs and branches. Depending on the soil type and presence of ledge and rock, one would see deep roots and many shallower spreading roots. Rocks would be avoided, engulfed or split as the roots grew. The robustness and scope of the root network would also indicate unseen environmental and circumstantial factors that would have impacted the trees need to draw deeper and wider in the face of above-ground hardship and adversity.
Perhaps the most majestic and oldest of tress on our planet are the great Redwoods or Giant Sequoias of the Pacific Northwest. These mammoth trees tower nearly three hundred feet or more and boast trunks thirty feet in diameter. They are covered with bark three feet thick. You’ve probably seen pictures of redwoods with carved tunnels through which an automobile is driving. If you have ever stood beside one of these trees it is a humbling experience and one that conjures images of “Jurassic Park”. By ring counting, some of the trees are estimated to be 3,500+ growing seasons old.
Interestingly, despite their potent attributes as individual trees, Redwoods only exist in groves. You won’t find a Redwood growing or standing alone. Because of the geological strata where they flourish, Redwoods have relatively shallow root structures. To compensate, they spread their roots far and wide. They also do something else quite extraordinary; they intertwine root systems with those of neighboring Redwoods. This root networking provides stability for all who are interconnected. One tree can attribute its ability to stand to the support of its neighbors.
Redwoods also depend on frequent forest fires to promote their growth. The periodic fires clear the forest floor for seeds to grow and the heat from the fires is required to open the conifers from which the seeds come. If regular fires do not occur, dead wood, organic matter and other flammable growth can be allowed to accumulate in excess such that when a fire does come – it can be harmful. Nonetheless, the 3 foot bark insulates the trees from most fires. Regular “refining” fire is healthy.
So let’s get this straight. Redwoods congregate in groups, require regular refining fire in order to grow and rely on vast intertwined root networks for stability – roots that are safe from the fires and thick skins to resist scorching. Sounds like the design for a church.
God’s garden has a similar root structure that employs two dynamics; His provision and our interconnectedness. When I first became a Christian I was struck with the idea that I was part of a living organism called the Body of Christ and that we were the Church. Some were the eyes, some the feet, some the hands and hair. If one member was injured the rest felt the pain. I was connected and “felt”. This was different. This was special. My body a temple, part of a body, also a temple and each of us “…living stones that God has assembled into His spiritual temple" (1 Peter 2:5).
Fundamental to our relationship and connectedness with God and each other called for His purpose is that at the source is the root and at the other end is the fruit. Grafted into His body and life we, as grafted-in branches, are initially closely oriented toward the sustaining trunk and main limbs wherein we have been grafted. It is close to the trunk that we are discipled and nourished with the equipping teachings and encouragement of our brothers and sisters – our mentors and those called to be our teachers. This equipping may take years and is a function of our complete surrender to a new source and flow of resource that is not of ourselves. The foundations of our faith are formed there in the shade and, in season, the effectiveness of our preparation results in an irresistible budding of growth as our branch stirs into action and a life of active, fruitful service that pushes outward to the extremities and toward the light.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” ~ Aristotle
All the best! Bill
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Freedom To Be Imperfect
“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at His feet.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
A trio of family members performed a Celtic music benefit concert for a small not-for-profit in which I am involved. After the performance I sent a brief note of thanks to the leader of the trio and she sent back this response;
“I love playing with Karen (her sister) and Jacob (her son) and we truly "make music" together with a freedom to be imperfect and a freedom to try anything we feel moved to try. There is a joy in it that is hard to explain - but wonderful for us. It truly is a singular blessing and one which I have always enjoyed with them. Actually, my whole family is musical and some of the most wonderful times have been when we have shared that gift with one another. Even though I was exhausted yesterday, I was filled with "peace surpassing understanding," and it has followed me into today. Thank you for your kind words - I am delighted that you enjoyed it!”
What a liberating string of thoughts and words! What a peace – freedom to be imperfect and a freedom to try anything we feel moved to try! This woman is gifted indeed. She plays the harp and the piano with concert quality. By her own words she knows this is a gift, yet she finds joy in knowing that, even in her gift, joy is not found in perfection, but in the sharing of it, the offering of it, the fellowship of it and in its daring expression. She takes risks with her gift and she’s not afraid of being imperfect. That selfless giving of herself to her gift is what makes it a joy. Could that joy in its risking, sharing and giving be the perfection of it?
As we work out our lives exploring, discovering and endeavoring to express our purpose and our gifts, isn’t it good news indeed that we are free to be imperfect? Isn’t it encouraging to know that we can try and risk without having to be perfect?
The Apostle Paul, a self-described perfectionist until his conversion, in 2 Corinthians 12 (NKJV quoted here) recounts how an area of imperfection in his life bothered him. Verses 8-10; “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Can you find the "imperfect" clover in this picture?
In my book, there is only One who is perfect. To Him I pray, I obey and I get out of His way. And He accepts me as I am. We are family and I am made perfect through Him. My goal is Him and my means is obedience. After all, as John MacArthur puts it, “The true Gospel is a call to self denial, it is not a call to self fulfillment.” That is, the call is to something much larger, perfect and infinitely more wonderful and resourceful than ourselves into which we are grafted for a selfless, fruitful purpose.
“This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.” ~ Saint Augustine
“The Pressure’s Off” as Larry Crabb puts it in his excellent book of the same title. We say that the most successful of people are well acquainted with failure - yet most of us continue to strive to live linear lives that avoid imperfection at all cost. The cost is lost joy. The cost is not discovering or expressing and sharing what lies bridled in our hearts for fear of executing poorly.
Confucius is credited with saying, “To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.” That quotation is not qualified by a requirement to be perfect or even to succeed in the doing. There is no self esteem in it, There is no self glory in it. It requires only obedience to what you know is right. Success is in being true to that.
In our imperfections we are unique. As we live in our purpose and apply ourselves to those things that make us individually come alive – we will struggle and likely stumble and fall along the way. But our perseverance and vision will bring an energy to get up and try again as we keep our eyes on the goal. And so our imperfections are perfected in our perseverance - our imperfections become the markers in our lives.
All the best!
Bill
A trio of family members performed a Celtic music benefit concert for a small not-for-profit in which I am involved. After the performance I sent a brief note of thanks to the leader of the trio and she sent back this response;
“I love playing with Karen (her sister) and Jacob (her son) and we truly "make music" together with a freedom to be imperfect and a freedom to try anything we feel moved to try. There is a joy in it that is hard to explain - but wonderful for us. It truly is a singular blessing and one which I have always enjoyed with them. Actually, my whole family is musical and some of the most wonderful times have been when we have shared that gift with one another. Even though I was exhausted yesterday, I was filled with "peace surpassing understanding," and it has followed me into today. Thank you for your kind words - I am delighted that you enjoyed it!”
What a liberating string of thoughts and words! What a peace – freedom to be imperfect and a freedom to try anything we feel moved to try! This woman is gifted indeed. She plays the harp and the piano with concert quality. By her own words she knows this is a gift, yet she finds joy in knowing that, even in her gift, joy is not found in perfection, but in the sharing of it, the offering of it, the fellowship of it and in its daring expression. She takes risks with her gift and she’s not afraid of being imperfect. That selfless giving of herself to her gift is what makes it a joy. Could that joy in its risking, sharing and giving be the perfection of it?
As we work out our lives exploring, discovering and endeavoring to express our purpose and our gifts, isn’t it good news indeed that we are free to be imperfect? Isn’t it encouraging to know that we can try and risk without having to be perfect?
The Apostle Paul, a self-described perfectionist until his conversion, in 2 Corinthians 12 (NKJV quoted here) recounts how an area of imperfection in his life bothered him. Verses 8-10; “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Can you find the "imperfect" clover in this picture?In my book, there is only One who is perfect. To Him I pray, I obey and I get out of His way. And He accepts me as I am. We are family and I am made perfect through Him. My goal is Him and my means is obedience. After all, as John MacArthur puts it, “The true Gospel is a call to self denial, it is not a call to self fulfillment.” That is, the call is to something much larger, perfect and infinitely more wonderful and resourceful than ourselves into which we are grafted for a selfless, fruitful purpose.
“This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.” ~ Saint Augustine
“The Pressure’s Off” as Larry Crabb puts it in his excellent book of the same title. We say that the most successful of people are well acquainted with failure - yet most of us continue to strive to live linear lives that avoid imperfection at all cost. The cost is lost joy. The cost is not discovering or expressing and sharing what lies bridled in our hearts for fear of executing poorly.
Confucius is credited with saying, “To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.” That quotation is not qualified by a requirement to be perfect or even to succeed in the doing. There is no self esteem in it, There is no self glory in it. It requires only obedience to what you know is right. Success is in being true to that.
In our imperfections we are unique. As we live in our purpose and apply ourselves to those things that make us individually come alive – we will struggle and likely stumble and fall along the way. But our perseverance and vision will bring an energy to get up and try again as we keep our eyes on the goal. And so our imperfections are perfected in our perseverance - our imperfections become the markers in our lives.
All the best!
Bill
Monday, January 24, 2011
Road Continues to Narrow - Fear Exposed
“Come to the edge, He said. They said, We are afraid. Come to the edge, He said. They came. He pushed them... and they flew.” ~ Guillaume Apollinaire
In my January and February 2010 blogs I told the story of my discovery, while kayaking, of a sign washed up on the shore that read “Road Narrows”. The discovery carried a personal message for me - a man on a mission of personal exploration, discovery and expression. It was very encouraging. The very next week as I set out to recover the sign, I was confronted with a whisper of a message and the realization that preparation and perseverance, while great attributes, will not win the day on their own. Risks must be taken (you can read the Feb 2010 post at this Blog for the details on that “whisper”).
A year later and I am still appreciating the message carried by that sign. My road has indeed narrowed as has the road of a great many people I know. Circumstances have striped many of us of a lot of fluff and excess that, truth be told, has been the source of much un-needed anxiety in the first place. Our “narrowing” has made us leaner. It also kind of smarts - like when you remove a festering splinter from a delicate place. I think that many of us have developed a little flinch, a nervous tick perhaps, that commemorates the stripping of so must so fast.
I’ve talked to many business men and women in the past two months who have entered 2011 with a sort of defiant burst of belligerence that the pain is over and its time to heal and get on. I'm reminded of a WWII poster that was distributed throughout Great Britain when invasion from Germany seemed imminent and fear was high and widespread. The poster read, “Keep Calm And Carry On.”.
The renewed energy and “shake it off“ attitude I’m observing should encourage everyone. There is a gathering strength in the recovery of business. Like the patient surfer who has diligently waited, they are discerning the swell that is mounting and turning their boards toward the shore of success. They have started to paddle – lest the wave, and the ride, sweep past. This requires calculation and taking calculated risks.
Risk aversion takes many forms and the core of it lies in our imagination. The result is fear, extraordinary caution, half-starts, half-measures, indecision and immobilization. I’m not talking about reckless risk taking. Some forms of fear are healthy and make for an appropriate cautiousness. What I’m talking about is fear that makes one anticipate defeat before the fight is engaged. I’m talking about fear in the course of running businesses that we are supposed to be the masters of that makes us insecure and scared. I don’t think that the word “scared” has many good applications. Try in on. Say, “I haven’t done this or that - - - because I’m scared.” Not good.
One of the main reasons why I deliver management consulting services to organization leaders is because they have issues, problems and/or opportunities, not acted upon, that dominate their thoughts. Let’s call it “Inaction Inventory”. Inventories are high.
The bad sort of Fear is a stalking horse for counterfeit solutions. There is a lie that is peddled to and purchased by entities in their vulnerable moments that leverages a deliverance from fear in exchange for shortcuts, postponements and deferred action. Given to fear, reality and truth can go out of focus for a season. And so, inaction, like the splinter ignored, brings infection.
The root of this struggle with fear is our imagination. Fear in a fertile imagination is like a seed that sprouts into a poison ivy that entangles our minds with projections of myriad outcomes and possibilities that simply overwhelm. Our fascination with all sorts of information (now prolific to the extreme thanks to the internet) fertilizes our snarls of ivy with every manner of distortion, misinterpretation and out-of-context factoid. Most of this information is fashioned to manipulate our behavior. We become perplexed and we are tossed to-a-fro by every wave and wind of opinion that hits us.
A favorite story of mine is the well known account in the Bible of the Apostle Peter walking on the water. It appears in the Gospel of Matthew in Chapter 14, verses 22-32.
The “water walking” is one thing but the peripheral stuff fascinates me as well. Before the episode takes place Jesus sends His group of disciples out ahead of Him “to the other side”. There is a storm enroute and the boatload of men are terrified. (I wonder what comments were being muttered under their breaths about Jesus not accompanying them for the "crossing"). Fear is high. Then, in the midst of the torment a ghostly specter appears “walking” on the waves. Fear mounts more as the men think they are seeing a ghost. It is Jesus, of course, and He proceeds to encourage His men to take courage, declares that it is He and tells them not to be afraid. Peter recognizes Jesus and, in typical Peter fashion, takes the adventure up a notch. Peter asks Jesus to invite him out on the water with Him. So Jesus, matter-of-factly, says, “Come.”. Eager beaver Peter clambers across the gunwale and walks toward Jesus. This works well, for a moment, until something reminds Peter of the laws of physics, buoyancy and relative mass – he looks down - and he sinks. Up to his neck in the swirling chaos about him, he cries out for help and it is there. I can see Jesus shaking His head as he says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”. When they return (walk?) back to the boat everything calms down. It’s like the whole thing was orchestrated to prove a point. Duh.
In my January and February 2010 blogs I told the story of my discovery, while kayaking, of a sign washed up on the shore that read “Road Narrows”. The discovery carried a personal message for me - a man on a mission of personal exploration, discovery and expression. It was very encouraging. The very next week as I set out to recover the sign, I was confronted with a whisper of a message and the realization that preparation and perseverance, while great attributes, will not win the day on their own. Risks must be taken (you can read the Feb 2010 post at this Blog for the details on that “whisper”).
A year later and I am still appreciating the message carried by that sign. My road has indeed narrowed as has the road of a great many people I know. Circumstances have striped many of us of a lot of fluff and excess that, truth be told, has been the source of much un-needed anxiety in the first place. Our “narrowing” has made us leaner. It also kind of smarts - like when you remove a festering splinter from a delicate place. I think that many of us have developed a little flinch, a nervous tick perhaps, that commemorates the stripping of so must so fast.
I’ve talked to many business men and women in the past two months who have entered 2011 with a sort of defiant burst of belligerence that the pain is over and its time to heal and get on. I'm reminded of a WWII poster that was distributed throughout Great Britain when invasion from Germany seemed imminent and fear was high and widespread. The poster read, “Keep Calm And Carry On.”.
The renewed energy and “shake it off“ attitude I’m observing should encourage everyone. There is a gathering strength in the recovery of business. Like the patient surfer who has diligently waited, they are discerning the swell that is mounting and turning their boards toward the shore of success. They have started to paddle – lest the wave, and the ride, sweep past. This requires calculation and taking calculated risks.
Risk aversion takes many forms and the core of it lies in our imagination. The result is fear, extraordinary caution, half-starts, half-measures, indecision and immobilization. I’m not talking about reckless risk taking. Some forms of fear are healthy and make for an appropriate cautiousness. What I’m talking about is fear that makes one anticipate defeat before the fight is engaged. I’m talking about fear in the course of running businesses that we are supposed to be the masters of that makes us insecure and scared. I don’t think that the word “scared” has many good applications. Try in on. Say, “I haven’t done this or that - - - because I’m scared.” Not good.
One of the main reasons why I deliver management consulting services to organization leaders is because they have issues, problems and/or opportunities, not acted upon, that dominate their thoughts. Let’s call it “Inaction Inventory”. Inventories are high.
The bad sort of Fear is a stalking horse for counterfeit solutions. There is a lie that is peddled to and purchased by entities in their vulnerable moments that leverages a deliverance from fear in exchange for shortcuts, postponements and deferred action. Given to fear, reality and truth can go out of focus for a season. And so, inaction, like the splinter ignored, brings infection.
The root of this struggle with fear is our imagination. Fear in a fertile imagination is like a seed that sprouts into a poison ivy that entangles our minds with projections of myriad outcomes and possibilities that simply overwhelm. Our fascination with all sorts of information (now prolific to the extreme thanks to the internet) fertilizes our snarls of ivy with every manner of distortion, misinterpretation and out-of-context factoid. Most of this information is fashioned to manipulate our behavior. We become perplexed and we are tossed to-a-fro by every wave and wind of opinion that hits us.
A favorite story of mine is the well known account in the Bible of the Apostle Peter walking on the water. It appears in the Gospel of Matthew in Chapter 14, verses 22-32.
The “water walking” is one thing but the peripheral stuff fascinates me as well. Before the episode takes place Jesus sends His group of disciples out ahead of Him “to the other side”. There is a storm enroute and the boatload of men are terrified. (I wonder what comments were being muttered under their breaths about Jesus not accompanying them for the "crossing"). Fear is high. Then, in the midst of the torment a ghostly specter appears “walking” on the waves. Fear mounts more as the men think they are seeing a ghost. It is Jesus, of course, and He proceeds to encourage His men to take courage, declares that it is He and tells them not to be afraid. Peter recognizes Jesus and, in typical Peter fashion, takes the adventure up a notch. Peter asks Jesus to invite him out on the water with Him. So Jesus, matter-of-factly, says, “Come.”. Eager beaver Peter clambers across the gunwale and walks toward Jesus. This works well, for a moment, until something reminds Peter of the laws of physics, buoyancy and relative mass – he looks down - and he sinks. Up to his neck in the swirling chaos about him, he cries out for help and it is there. I can see Jesus shaking His head as he says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”. When they return (walk?) back to the boat everything calms down. It’s like the whole thing was orchestrated to prove a point. Duh.
"Walk by Faith" Artwork/Prints available at JTBARTS.COM Gallery
What, I wonder, distracted Peter and made him founder? But, for a glorious moment we know that faith defied science, knowledge and fear. Peter knows Jesus, he trusts Him and he has seen Jesus feed five thousand households with five loaves and two fish. He has witnessed Jesus perform incredible healings and was sent out by Jesus for a time with the same powers to heal. Peter has also traveled and camped-out with Jesus. Peter has left the family business cold for Jesus. He knows this Man. To ask Jesus for an invitation to walk on water with Him should be as sure a thing as there could be. Right? Peter gets distracted. Maybe his imagination kicks in for a split second, he takes his eyes off of Jesus and takes in the chaos all around. It consumes him and he sinks.
Fear feeds on our imaginations and snatches our volition into its shadows. Fear is no minor theme in the human drama. It is fundamental to our condition and it is a fulcrum that the sinister part of our imagination uses with utmost skill. Fear can be found at the root of most conflicts and at the core of Mankind’s worst hours. I dug up a few quotations on the topic of fear to share. They are from a broad spectrum of authors with whom we share our existence as human beings. I hope you enjoy them;
“He who strikes terror in others is himself continually in fear.” – Claudius Claudianus
“Only with absolute fearlessness can we slay the dragons of mediocrity that invade our gardens.” – John Maynard Keynes
“It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.” – General Douglas MacArthur“Imagination frames events unknown, in wild, fantastic shapes of hideous ruin, And what it fears, creates.” – Hannah Moore
“Men are Moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“Panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination.” - Christian Nevell Bovee“Fear is a self imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.” – Rick Warren
“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it…that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.” – Dale Carnegie
“Jesus promised the disciples three things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.” – G.K. Chesterton
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” – Winston Churchill
“The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” – Max Lucado
“He that fears not the future may enjoy the present.” – Thomas Fuller
“According to legend, one day a man was wandering in the desert when he met Fear and Plague. They said they were on their way to a large city where they were going to kill 10,000 people. The man asked Plague if he was going to do all the work. Plague smiled and said, No, I'll only take care of a few hundred. I'll let my friend Fear do the rest.” - Anonymous“Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile... initially scared me to death.” – Betty Bender
“Since we fear most that which is unknown to us, defining moments of change occur when we choose to know our fear.” – Lee Colan
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.” – Henry Ford
“Fear always springs from ignorance.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson“Action cures fear, inaction creates terror.” – Doug Horton
“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.” – Florence Nightingale
“The timid are afraid before the danger, the cowardly while in danger, and the courageous after danger.” – Jean Paul“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” – Seneca, The Elder
“Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed.” – Michael PritchardAll the best!
Bill
Fear feeds on our imaginations and snatches our volition into its shadows. Fear is no minor theme in the human drama. It is fundamental to our condition and it is a fulcrum that the sinister part of our imagination uses with utmost skill. Fear can be found at the root of most conflicts and at the core of Mankind’s worst hours. I dug up a few quotations on the topic of fear to share. They are from a broad spectrum of authors with whom we share our existence as human beings. I hope you enjoy them;
“He who strikes terror in others is himself continually in fear.” – Claudius Claudianus
“Only with absolute fearlessness can we slay the dragons of mediocrity that invade our gardens.” – John Maynard Keynes
“It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.” – General Douglas MacArthur“Imagination frames events unknown, in wild, fantastic shapes of hideous ruin, And what it fears, creates.” – Hannah Moore
“Men are Moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“Panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination.” - Christian Nevell Bovee“Fear is a self imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.” – Rick Warren
“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it…that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.” – Dale Carnegie
“Jesus promised the disciples three things - that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.” – G.K. Chesterton
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” – Winston Churchill
“The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” – Max Lucado
“He that fears not the future may enjoy the present.” – Thomas Fuller
“According to legend, one day a man was wandering in the desert when he met Fear and Plague. They said they were on their way to a large city where they were going to kill 10,000 people. The man asked Plague if he was going to do all the work. Plague smiled and said, No, I'll only take care of a few hundred. I'll let my friend Fear do the rest.” - Anonymous“Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile... initially scared me to death.” – Betty Bender
“Since we fear most that which is unknown to us, defining moments of change occur when we choose to know our fear.” – Lee Colan
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.” – Henry Ford
“Fear always springs from ignorance.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson“Action cures fear, inaction creates terror.” – Doug Horton
“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.” – Florence Nightingale
“The timid are afraid before the danger, the cowardly while in danger, and the courageous after danger.” – Jean Paul“We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” – Seneca, The Elder
“Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed.” – Michael PritchardAll the best!
Bill
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Authentic Faith
I’d like to take you on a trip back in time to an event that occurred in the 1960s – on a snowy Christmas Eve;
When I was a boy I attended Church and "Sunday" School (school was actually conducted on Saturday mornings … I never understood that). My parents were adhering to the good guidance of Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.".
On Christmas we would attend a midnight service which promised a great deal of pageantry and a full attendance. As a child I had mixed feelings about the midnight service. On the one hand, this was the one night I wanted to get to bed early. My philosophy about the night before Christmas was; the earlier I went to bed and fell asleep the faster the night would go by, thus accelerating the moment when I’d wake up early to sneak downstairs to behold the multitude of gifts that always seemed to magically appear in great abundance around our tree. On the other hand, Mom promised that if we ( I was one of four) behaved, stayed awake and did not embarrass her at the midnight service she would let us open ONE gift when we got home. That was incentive enough.
One Christmas Eve (I guess I was around ten years old), we set out on a particularly nasty evening. It had started snowing a fluffy, wet snow that had accumulated quickly. The temperature hovered around the freezing mark and the wind was blowing hard. The roads were sloppy with several inches of snow and slush. I was a little hopeful that our Church plans might be shelved on account of the weather … but no such luck. Off we went. It was miserable outside and we scurried to the comfort and shelter of the car. I remember sitting in the right rear seat with my face pressed against the window, my breath fogging it as I drew smiley faces and wiped them clean to see what was passing by in the wintry night outside. Dad drove slowly and was making comments on how bad it was. At one point, on a particularly dark stretch of country road, we swerved to avoid a man riding a bicycle at the edge of the road. I recall my Mother exclaiming as my Dad successfully performed the maneuver. Of all things! With my face pressed against the window my eyes widened as we passed the image of a man on his bicycle as it passed by like a gray specter in the night … his head low, shoulders mantled in snow, determined, his long coat draping dangerously close to the chain and sprocket as he earnestly peddled with jerky movements of the handlebars. Then he was gone … in our wake, like he never was. Why was he out in this and that this hour? Was he real? We settled down and arrived safely at Church.
The place was packed and it was fabulous. The Church was all brilliant with gold, silver, green and red - the choir in full robes. I always though it was odd to get so dressed up for a midnight service. I mean; corsages, three-piece suits, ties, fancy shoes … all for the middle of the night … and then you went home and right to bed. It seemed like a waste of dressing up to me.
We worked our way to our familiar seats, everyone greeting everyone in our church pew “neighborhood”, remarking on their clothes and politely asking about those who were not present … hoping everything was “okay” and all. I was the older son so, with my Dad leading the family “Von Trapp” style into our row, I posted guard in the rear, usher-like, and sat on the aisle. Male bookends. The crowd settled down and the service started as we all stood, opened our service pamphlets, the organ music rose and we all broke out in a hymn. Ten minutes later the music worship ended and we were instructed to be seated. It was time to think about the gift I would open when I got home.
Then, as the Church paused and fell momentarily silent, as if on perfect queue, one of the big double front doors to the Church opened behind us and a gust of cold wind blew in from outside. You could feel the chill half way up the aisle. I snapped my head around.
There he was! It was the man on the bicycle! He stood alone at the entrance with the night behind him silhouetting his awkward and out of place figure. He wore no tie, his overcoat was long and dark gray with dirty smudges (just like I remembered it). His face was flushed red and wet, his hair askew. He was a mess. He was a bum! Ushers hurredly closed the doors.
I welcomed the interruption, my curiosity peaked by his appearance. I craned my neck to get a clearer view of the man, trying to reconcile my memory of him from the car to what was presented before me … us. He truly was out of place. I couldn’t tell from where I sat, but be looked like he probably had a stale smell. But I was in the minority, if not totally alone, in my fascination. Faces contorted throughout the church. There were hushed, disapproving remarks. I could feel the pressure of those around me to turn around and face toward the pulpit … ignore this man. I flushed like some out-of-line soldier in a parade and snapped my head forward … for a moment.
Then something welled up from within me. It was an indignant anger of sorts that I had never before experienced. I disobeyed the pressure to face-front and turned to take another look at the man as he slinked into a back row, congregants nervously pressing in and away from him as though his filth had a force-field. And I reflected.
I knew why “I” was at church; to get it done tonight so we didn’t have to go tomorrow morning … so I could open that one present before going to bed. What was he doing here? What were any of the others doing here? My brain could only produce one analysis of that man, the church, the crowd … the whole scene. That man really wanted to be there. He was not there to impress anyone for sure since he had surely struck out on that account already. He could have satisfied any sense of obligation by watching service on the television or waiting until tomorrow. No, he was here for “church”, to worship. He wanted to be here so bad that be had peddled his bicycle in a snow storm to get here.
I will never forget that man. I can still see him peddling to church. I remember the narrow imprint his tires made in the deepening snow. I remember him every Christmas. That man’s authenticity challenged me and illuminated a hypocrisy in my young self. His example, that brief taste of his fruit gave me a flavor of authentic faith that would stay with me for life.
And God does an incredible thing; so much is His love for us, so much does He desire to be with us that He humbles Himself and comes down to us, becoming a man and living among us and then, even in His perfection, suffers and dies for that which separates us from Him. But death can not hold Him and He rises from the grave conquering death for us all and forever. What a gift. What a God!
All the best!
Bill
When I was a boy I attended Church and "Sunday" School (school was actually conducted on Saturday mornings … I never understood that). My parents were adhering to the good guidance of Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.".
On Christmas we would attend a midnight service which promised a great deal of pageantry and a full attendance. As a child I had mixed feelings about the midnight service. On the one hand, this was the one night I wanted to get to bed early. My philosophy about the night before Christmas was; the earlier I went to bed and fell asleep the faster the night would go by, thus accelerating the moment when I’d wake up early to sneak downstairs to behold the multitude of gifts that always seemed to magically appear in great abundance around our tree. On the other hand, Mom promised that if we ( I was one of four) behaved, stayed awake and did not embarrass her at the midnight service she would let us open ONE gift when we got home. That was incentive enough.
One Christmas Eve (I guess I was around ten years old), we set out on a particularly nasty evening. It had started snowing a fluffy, wet snow that had accumulated quickly. The temperature hovered around the freezing mark and the wind was blowing hard. The roads were sloppy with several inches of snow and slush. I was a little hopeful that our Church plans might be shelved on account of the weather … but no such luck. Off we went. It was miserable outside and we scurried to the comfort and shelter of the car. I remember sitting in the right rear seat with my face pressed against the window, my breath fogging it as I drew smiley faces and wiped them clean to see what was passing by in the wintry night outside. Dad drove slowly and was making comments on how bad it was. At one point, on a particularly dark stretch of country road, we swerved to avoid a man riding a bicycle at the edge of the road. I recall my Mother exclaiming as my Dad successfully performed the maneuver. Of all things! With my face pressed against the window my eyes widened as we passed the image of a man on his bicycle as it passed by like a gray specter in the night … his head low, shoulders mantled in snow, determined, his long coat draping dangerously close to the chain and sprocket as he earnestly peddled with jerky movements of the handlebars. Then he was gone … in our wake, like he never was. Why was he out in this and that this hour? Was he real? We settled down and arrived safely at Church.
The place was packed and it was fabulous. The Church was all brilliant with gold, silver, green and red - the choir in full robes. I always though it was odd to get so dressed up for a midnight service. I mean; corsages, three-piece suits, ties, fancy shoes … all for the middle of the night … and then you went home and right to bed. It seemed like a waste of dressing up to me.
We worked our way to our familiar seats, everyone greeting everyone in our church pew “neighborhood”, remarking on their clothes and politely asking about those who were not present … hoping everything was “okay” and all. I was the older son so, with my Dad leading the family “Von Trapp” style into our row, I posted guard in the rear, usher-like, and sat on the aisle. Male bookends. The crowd settled down and the service started as we all stood, opened our service pamphlets, the organ music rose and we all broke out in a hymn. Ten minutes later the music worship ended and we were instructed to be seated. It was time to think about the gift I would open when I got home.
Then, as the Church paused and fell momentarily silent, as if on perfect queue, one of the big double front doors to the Church opened behind us and a gust of cold wind blew in from outside. You could feel the chill half way up the aisle. I snapped my head around.
There he was! It was the man on the bicycle! He stood alone at the entrance with the night behind him silhouetting his awkward and out of place figure. He wore no tie, his overcoat was long and dark gray with dirty smudges (just like I remembered it). His face was flushed red and wet, his hair askew. He was a mess. He was a bum! Ushers hurredly closed the doors.
I welcomed the interruption, my curiosity peaked by his appearance. I craned my neck to get a clearer view of the man, trying to reconcile my memory of him from the car to what was presented before me … us. He truly was out of place. I couldn’t tell from where I sat, but be looked like he probably had a stale smell. But I was in the minority, if not totally alone, in my fascination. Faces contorted throughout the church. There were hushed, disapproving remarks. I could feel the pressure of those around me to turn around and face toward the pulpit … ignore this man. I flushed like some out-of-line soldier in a parade and snapped my head forward … for a moment.
Then something welled up from within me. It was an indignant anger of sorts that I had never before experienced. I disobeyed the pressure to face-front and turned to take another look at the man as he slinked into a back row, congregants nervously pressing in and away from him as though his filth had a force-field. And I reflected.
I knew why “I” was at church; to get it done tonight so we didn’t have to go tomorrow morning … so I could open that one present before going to bed. What was he doing here? What were any of the others doing here? My brain could only produce one analysis of that man, the church, the crowd … the whole scene. That man really wanted to be there. He was not there to impress anyone for sure since he had surely struck out on that account already. He could have satisfied any sense of obligation by watching service on the television or waiting until tomorrow. No, he was here for “church”, to worship. He wanted to be here so bad that be had peddled his bicycle in a snow storm to get here.
I will never forget that man. I can still see him peddling to church. I remember the narrow imprint his tires made in the deepening snow. I remember him every Christmas. That man’s authenticity challenged me and illuminated a hypocrisy in my young self. His example, that brief taste of his fruit gave me a flavor of authentic faith that would stay with me for life.
And God does an incredible thing; so much is His love for us, so much does He desire to be with us that He humbles Himself and comes down to us, becoming a man and living among us and then, even in His perfection, suffers and dies for that which separates us from Him. But death can not hold Him and He rises from the grave conquering death for us all and forever. What a gift. What a God!
All the best!
Bill
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pilgrim's Progress
As I contemplated what I might contribute to a November post, the typical themes of Thanksgiving came to mind ... and the Pilgrims. What also came to mind was John Bunyan's classic tale, Pilgrim’s Progress. Not that the book has anything to do with the Mayflower Pilgrims and nonetheless, I did some research which revealed that John Bunyan was actually born 8 years after the Mayflower Pilgrims landed in Plymouth. Of further interest I found that Bunyan wrote the book during his second term of imprisonment for preaching outside of the established law of England at the time. Ironically, the laws changed, Bunyan was released from prison and he became one of the most popular preachers in England - heading a Church in the very same town in which he had been incarcerated for over 12 years. That's perseverence for you!
The book begins thus; “As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and he cried out, “What shall I do?”
There was a time when most every school child read Pilgrim’s Progress as part of their educational foundation. It’s allegorical collection of aptly named characters and circumstances reflect life, the pursuit of purpose and destiny. The story is just as applicable today as it was in the sixteen hundreds.
The word Pilgrim warrants some forensics. It dates back to the 12th century and it describes one who journeys in foreign lands - a wayfarer, one who travels to a shrine or holy place, one of the English Puritan colonists of 1620 and (contemporarily) an early/first settler to the U.S. western territories. John Wayne addressed wide-eyed, naive, newcomer/settlers to the west as “Pilgrim” in many of his western films. He also generally assumed a role as their reluctant yet “practical and savvy” protector … their gun wielding, jaw smashing guardian angel. Along the way Wayne’s characters usually came to respect the “Pilgrim’s” innocent honor and quest and it often became his own.
Considering all of that, I’ve always thought of a Pilgrim as a person drawn to something that they pursed often not knowing the dangers along the way - but pursued it nonetheless. I’ve seen Pilgrim’s as sometimes self-absorbed, obsessed with purpose and often exhibiting a child-like blissful ignorance and headstrong belief that they would prevail in their quest if they only persevere. Pilgrims dismiss the risks and “practical” advice of others and move ahead. Pilgrims generally travel in lands that are foreign to them … they are sojourners. They view hardship and estrangement as temporary conditions. There is always something noble about the Pilgrim’s quest. To me, Cervante's Don Quixote de la Mancha qualifies as a Pilgrim.
You don’t hear much about Pilgrims these days. They are a backdrop of our "americana" consciousness, a throwback to more naive times. Their spartan and severe lives are a spectacle at which to shudder. But do we ponder what vision would drive such people to such extremes? Are there no more worthy noble quests? Is there nothing grand enough that is worth sacrificing and struggling for unless it involves an immediate and rich reward? Surely there is. Why do we love the underdog so? Why do we root for the bloodied man in the arena battling a smug and formidable foe? To our core we love noble causes and our hearts are restless for their inspiration.
I think we were all created to be Pilgrims - sojourners for a moment that is but a vapor on this planet. I think that in each of us there burns a yearning for a noble cause, to be part of a bigger story, to face adversity, to be tested, to enjoy risk taking adventures as we pursue the impossible dream … to find out whether or not we have what it takes. Remember the song - - - ?
The Impossible Dream – Lyrics by Joe DarionTo dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
That’s a “Pilgrim” song. The heart of a Pilgrim. A deep commitment to a quest that often meets with tremendous adversity, goes unappreciated, may be unpopular, costs dearly … but is pursued nonetheless simply because it is right.
Now imagine the realization of that quest and the utterly profound depth of thanks that would well forth from the heart of the overcomer … the Pilgrim. Get into that sort of mood on Thanksgiving Day …. Pilgrim!
All the best!
Bill
The book begins thus; “As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and he cried out, “What shall I do?”
There was a time when most every school child read Pilgrim’s Progress as part of their educational foundation. It’s allegorical collection of aptly named characters and circumstances reflect life, the pursuit of purpose and destiny. The story is just as applicable today as it was in the sixteen hundreds.
The word Pilgrim warrants some forensics. It dates back to the 12th century and it describes one who journeys in foreign lands - a wayfarer, one who travels to a shrine or holy place, one of the English Puritan colonists of 1620 and (contemporarily) an early/first settler to the U.S. western territories. John Wayne addressed wide-eyed, naive, newcomer/settlers to the west as “Pilgrim” in many of his western films. He also generally assumed a role as their reluctant yet “practical and savvy” protector … their gun wielding, jaw smashing guardian angel. Along the way Wayne’s characters usually came to respect the “Pilgrim’s” innocent honor and quest and it often became his own.
Considering all of that, I’ve always thought of a Pilgrim as a person drawn to something that they pursed often not knowing the dangers along the way - but pursued it nonetheless. I’ve seen Pilgrim’s as sometimes self-absorbed, obsessed with purpose and often exhibiting a child-like blissful ignorance and headstrong belief that they would prevail in their quest if they only persevere. Pilgrims dismiss the risks and “practical” advice of others and move ahead. Pilgrims generally travel in lands that are foreign to them … they are sojourners. They view hardship and estrangement as temporary conditions. There is always something noble about the Pilgrim’s quest. To me, Cervante's Don Quixote de la Mancha qualifies as a Pilgrim.
You don’t hear much about Pilgrims these days. They are a backdrop of our "americana" consciousness, a throwback to more naive times. Their spartan and severe lives are a spectacle at which to shudder. But do we ponder what vision would drive such people to such extremes? Are there no more worthy noble quests? Is there nothing grand enough that is worth sacrificing and struggling for unless it involves an immediate and rich reward? Surely there is. Why do we love the underdog so? Why do we root for the bloodied man in the arena battling a smug and formidable foe? To our core we love noble causes and our hearts are restless for their inspiration.
I think we were all created to be Pilgrims - sojourners for a moment that is but a vapor on this planet. I think that in each of us there burns a yearning for a noble cause, to be part of a bigger story, to face adversity, to be tested, to enjoy risk taking adventures as we pursue the impossible dream … to find out whether or not we have what it takes. Remember the song - - - ?
The Impossible Dream – Lyrics by Joe DarionTo dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
That’s a “Pilgrim” song. The heart of a Pilgrim. A deep commitment to a quest that often meets with tremendous adversity, goes unappreciated, may be unpopular, costs dearly … but is pursued nonetheless simply because it is right.
Now imagine the realization of that quest and the utterly profound depth of thanks that would well forth from the heart of the overcomer … the Pilgrim. Get into that sort of mood on Thanksgiving Day …. Pilgrim!
All the best!
Bill
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sufficient for each day is its own trouble …
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ~ Mother Teresa ~
Mother Teresa’s words reflect a life lived in the moment and such a life orientation can seem strange and even ill advised to the serious, planning, in-control professional business person. We are taught and encouraged to plan and execute, to visualize and strategize in all things professional. Plan your work and work your plan - right?
Something in our hearts is drawn to Mother Teresa’s words and we know deep down that it is right and good. One cannot deny that Mother Teresa lived a life of high impact and the difference between her and, say, a die hard professional business achiever can be summed up in her goal orientation. The world generally rejects wisdom such as Mother Teresa’s or writes it off as good advice for those "in ministry", wonderful anecdotal spice for a greeting card - heedful for those disconnected from the “real” and more important and more “desperate” work at hand. Her wisdom may present as impractical. And so, lifestyle statements such as Mother Teresa’s largely go un-reconciled as we move on with our business until the circumstances of our lives bring us back to them.
Mother Teresa tells this story;
"When once a chairman of a multinational company came to see me, to offer me a property in Bombay, he first asked: ‘Mother, how do you manage your budget?" I asked him who had sent him here. He replied: ‘I felt an urge inside me.’ I said: other people like you come to see me and say the same. It was clear God sent you, Mr. A, as He sends Mr. X, Mrs. Y, Miss Z, and they provide the material means we need for our work. The grace of God is what moved you. You are my budget. God sees to our needs, as Jesus promised. I accepted the property he gave and named it Asha Dan (Gift of Hope)."
Did Mother Teresa have NO plans? Of course she had plans. But she did not invest time or energy worrying about them. The chairman’s question about budgets comes from a heart in need of control over uncertainty, doubt and trepidation. Outcome control. Mother Teresa refused to live with such anxiety – turning it over to God’s providence. What a luxury - eh? One must ask if this only works for Godly projects and, if so, are our projects, our lives and our businesses un-Godly? Not necessarily.
Come to think of it, if you examine a bit closer you will discern that, while a “live in the moment” mindset involves a healthy measure of trust, relinquishing of control, patience and confidence, it is not at all a “wait and see and hope” approach to life. Indeed it very much requires a “carpe diem”, tremendously adaptive, agile and change-ready constitution. Practical but not for the faint of heart. For a scorekeepers approach to a life of faith in the moment that any Accountant would endorse, read about the life of George Mueller some time.
Take a turn back in time with me for a moment to February 1862. The American Civil War is raging. President Lincoln has lost friends and colleagues to the war and now he loses his 11 year old son “Willie” to typhoid. Nothing is going right. In that vulnerable moment of grief and despair the President’s perspective of control is rocked. Historians say that the words of a Presbyterian Minister, Dr. Phineas D. Gurley, at Willie’s funeral penetrate the heart of an already reverent Lincoln. In his eulogy Gurley says, “In the hour of trial one must look to Him who sees the end from the beginning and who doeth all things well.” Lincoln asks for a copy of the eulogy. Shortly thereafter he writes the Emancipation Proclamation and the moral trajectory of our country, and it's greatness amongst nations takes a decidedly positive turn upward thereafter. God has plans.
The tide of our times takes us with great velocity into vast mazes of information and opinion, greater interconnectedness and a consciousness of myriad potential outcomes. Such a frenzy of information can drown us in a cocktail of variables, fear factors and imaginings that can paralyze even the stoutest of souls. Ironically, it is from that same cloud of swirling chaotic uncertainty and uncontrollable variables from which unforeseen opportunities come.
Mother Teresa was an opportunist! Let that sink in.
Not long ago, in meditation, these words came to me which I wrote in my journal; “You are being taught humility, patience, to depend on Me, to hear Me when I whisper to you. Do what is before you. Not for any end that it may represent but for what you will discover along the way. Nothing you are doing is for waste. Do it. Experience it. Explore, discover and express who you are. This is the adventure! I will keep you along the way. Be anxious for nothing. Let opportunity present itself. Seize it when it does. Rest in this.”
Funny how life sometimes puts a string of related pearls before us – to consider. Oh, that we would be of a mind and heart in the moment to recognize these strings of wisdom so expertly crafted and personalized for each of us and so gently and unobtrusively dangled before us as if to say – “this can be yours – put these on - you are worthy of them”.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come, pause and be still, stand firm in the torrent of the nervous frenzy around you and contemplate.
All the best!
Bill
Mother Teresa’s words reflect a life lived in the moment and such a life orientation can seem strange and even ill advised to the serious, planning, in-control professional business person. We are taught and encouraged to plan and execute, to visualize and strategize in all things professional. Plan your work and work your plan - right?
Something in our hearts is drawn to Mother Teresa’s words and we know deep down that it is right and good. One cannot deny that Mother Teresa lived a life of high impact and the difference between her and, say, a die hard professional business achiever can be summed up in her goal orientation. The world generally rejects wisdom such as Mother Teresa’s or writes it off as good advice for those "in ministry", wonderful anecdotal spice for a greeting card - heedful for those disconnected from the “real” and more important and more “desperate” work at hand. Her wisdom may present as impractical. And so, lifestyle statements such as Mother Teresa’s largely go un-reconciled as we move on with our business until the circumstances of our lives bring us back to them.
Mother Teresa tells this story;
"When once a chairman of a multinational company came to see me, to offer me a property in Bombay, he first asked: ‘Mother, how do you manage your budget?" I asked him who had sent him here. He replied: ‘I felt an urge inside me.’ I said: other people like you come to see me and say the same. It was clear God sent you, Mr. A, as He sends Mr. X, Mrs. Y, Miss Z, and they provide the material means we need for our work. The grace of God is what moved you. You are my budget. God sees to our needs, as Jesus promised. I accepted the property he gave and named it Asha Dan (Gift of Hope)."
Did Mother Teresa have NO plans? Of course she had plans. But she did not invest time or energy worrying about them. The chairman’s question about budgets comes from a heart in need of control over uncertainty, doubt and trepidation. Outcome control. Mother Teresa refused to live with such anxiety – turning it over to God’s providence. What a luxury - eh? One must ask if this only works for Godly projects and, if so, are our projects, our lives and our businesses un-Godly? Not necessarily.
Come to think of it, if you examine a bit closer you will discern that, while a “live in the moment” mindset involves a healthy measure of trust, relinquishing of control, patience and confidence, it is not at all a “wait and see and hope” approach to life. Indeed it very much requires a “carpe diem”, tremendously adaptive, agile and change-ready constitution. Practical but not for the faint of heart. For a scorekeepers approach to a life of faith in the moment that any Accountant would endorse, read about the life of George Mueller some time.
Take a turn back in time with me for a moment to February 1862. The American Civil War is raging. President Lincoln has lost friends and colleagues to the war and now he loses his 11 year old son “Willie” to typhoid. Nothing is going right. In that vulnerable moment of grief and despair the President’s perspective of control is rocked. Historians say that the words of a Presbyterian Minister, Dr. Phineas D. Gurley, at Willie’s funeral penetrate the heart of an already reverent Lincoln. In his eulogy Gurley says, “In the hour of trial one must look to Him who sees the end from the beginning and who doeth all things well.” Lincoln asks for a copy of the eulogy. Shortly thereafter he writes the Emancipation Proclamation and the moral trajectory of our country, and it's greatness amongst nations takes a decidedly positive turn upward thereafter. God has plans.
The tide of our times takes us with great velocity into vast mazes of information and opinion, greater interconnectedness and a consciousness of myriad potential outcomes. Such a frenzy of information can drown us in a cocktail of variables, fear factors and imaginings that can paralyze even the stoutest of souls. Ironically, it is from that same cloud of swirling chaotic uncertainty and uncontrollable variables from which unforeseen opportunities come.
Mother Teresa was an opportunist! Let that sink in.
Not long ago, in meditation, these words came to me which I wrote in my journal; “You are being taught humility, patience, to depend on Me, to hear Me when I whisper to you. Do what is before you. Not for any end that it may represent but for what you will discover along the way. Nothing you are doing is for waste. Do it. Experience it. Explore, discover and express who you are. This is the adventure! I will keep you along the way. Be anxious for nothing. Let opportunity present itself. Seize it when it does. Rest in this.”
Funny how life sometimes puts a string of related pearls before us – to consider. Oh, that we would be of a mind and heart in the moment to recognize these strings of wisdom so expertly crafted and personalized for each of us and so gently and unobtrusively dangled before us as if to say – “this can be yours – put these on - you are worthy of them”.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come, pause and be still, stand firm in the torrent of the nervous frenzy around you and contemplate.
All the best!
Bill
Monday, September 27, 2010
Prosperity & The Truly Fruitful Life
It’s fair to say that – relatively speaking - many people are going through a tough time right now. Emphasis on “relatively”. In reflection we might take a moment to compare our present circumstances “relative” to the rest of the world and see how far they have yet to go. But we’re in America right? So we’re deserving and we’re special, we’re blessed - so how dare anyone challenge our looking glass lens on reality. Well, the Apostle Paul declared, “We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly (and His plan) just as He knows us!” (1Cor13:12, The Message Bible, annotated)
Many religious or so-called people of faith are doing a lot of praying and genie lamp rubbing for God’s will to take a turn toward affluence in their lives. Affluence pursued is a phantom never caught. If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it many times; “I pray for God’s will to manifest itself in my life.“ or “I know that God has a plan for my life and I can’t wait for Him to present it to me.” when they really mean, “God I know it’s your plan for me to win the lottery so - how about it?”
God does have a plan and that plan, His plan (like it or not) is working every moment of our lives – perhaps especially during those “worst” days, moments or seasons.
I have a Christian brother who is going through a difficult time. He and his wife are drawn to God and have committed to follow Him. They are both go-getter professionals and achievers. They have a young son and they are building a life together. They’ve also been drawn to a deeper relationship with God as a family. Just the kind of fledgling, delicate situation you would ask God to grace with mercy and good fortune. So, of course, with not perfect but exquisite timing – the wife lost her job under some unsavory circumstances – a victim of egos and selfish managers protecting themselves first. The setback is significant to their existence and it is testing their faith. Rather than whine and blame, they are living more in the moment, questioning the basis of their lives before their present circumstances, drawing closer in love and support of each other as never before in their lives and together they are searching for His purpose in it all. Do you see God’s plan?
At the end of the day – if you believe in the God of the Bible - we are created for one thing – to return to and glorify Him, our Lord Jesus Christ who created us and who loves us. While orchestrating the activities of the whole universe down to every hair on your head and every sparrow that falls to the ground - that’s His primary interest. Few humble themselves to intellectually accept that simple concept. Fewer still give their lives to it. As St. Augustine famously surmised, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
In John’s Gospel (NKJV) in Chapter 15 verse 2 Jesus says, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” You may think it satisfying to produce your own fruit – but that fruit spoils, rots and turns to dust – there is no eternal joy in it. His fruit comes from His resources (the sap from His vine that draws through vast roots from resources far beyond our ability to comprehend). Relying on His resources we produce His fruit by abiding in His Spirit. His desires become our desires and we experience authentic joy in seeing Him come through, using our lives as His conduit (we, the branches) through which He flows unimpeded to produce His magnificent and eternal fruit.
Have you ever done any serious gardening? Can a pear tree produce grapes? When you cut back the dead wood doesn’t more than one fresh shoot spring forth? Have you ever had any serious gardening done on you? Those who bear fruit are not left alone. God is a diligent and expert vine dresser. They are cut to the quick – the sap of the Vine oozes forth from the wounds - so that fresh growth is possible – and more fruit! The most fruitful have the most scars from pruning. His vine is a perfect vine – everywhere it is green. There is no dead wood to be found. But there is pain, change, transformation and growth in the process.
There is an elite fighting force that claims as a slogan during their arduous physical training regimens that pain is the experience of weakness being driven from your body.
In James 1:2-8 (NKJV) the author writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (a fruit). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in (abiding) faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Read the rest of James for inspiration, encouragement and conviction.
Are you a person of faith? Are you going through a tough time? Consider the purpose for it and focus on the moment. Look for the good reason for it rather than focusing on some outcome you want in some uncertain future full of variables you do not control. What does He want? Why is He putting you through this? How can you glorify Him through it? Then, after a time, some serious prayer, an abiding heart, contemplation and quiet time away from others; invite God to speak to you personally. Then, finish this sentence; “I’m beginning to realize ____________.”
All the best!
Bill
Many religious or so-called people of faith are doing a lot of praying and genie lamp rubbing for God’s will to take a turn toward affluence in their lives. Affluence pursued is a phantom never caught. If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it many times; “I pray for God’s will to manifest itself in my life.“ or “I know that God has a plan for my life and I can’t wait for Him to present it to me.” when they really mean, “God I know it’s your plan for me to win the lottery so - how about it?”
God does have a plan and that plan, His plan (like it or not) is working every moment of our lives – perhaps especially during those “worst” days, moments or seasons.
I have a Christian brother who is going through a difficult time. He and his wife are drawn to God and have committed to follow Him. They are both go-getter professionals and achievers. They have a young son and they are building a life together. They’ve also been drawn to a deeper relationship with God as a family. Just the kind of fledgling, delicate situation you would ask God to grace with mercy and good fortune. So, of course, with not perfect but exquisite timing – the wife lost her job under some unsavory circumstances – a victim of egos and selfish managers protecting themselves first. The setback is significant to their existence and it is testing their faith. Rather than whine and blame, they are living more in the moment, questioning the basis of their lives before their present circumstances, drawing closer in love and support of each other as never before in their lives and together they are searching for His purpose in it all. Do you see God’s plan?
At the end of the day – if you believe in the God of the Bible - we are created for one thing – to return to and glorify Him, our Lord Jesus Christ who created us and who loves us. While orchestrating the activities of the whole universe down to every hair on your head and every sparrow that falls to the ground - that’s His primary interest. Few humble themselves to intellectually accept that simple concept. Fewer still give their lives to it. As St. Augustine famously surmised, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
In John’s Gospel (NKJV) in Chapter 15 verse 2 Jesus says, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” You may think it satisfying to produce your own fruit – but that fruit spoils, rots and turns to dust – there is no eternal joy in it. His fruit comes from His resources (the sap from His vine that draws through vast roots from resources far beyond our ability to comprehend). Relying on His resources we produce His fruit by abiding in His Spirit. His desires become our desires and we experience authentic joy in seeing Him come through, using our lives as His conduit (we, the branches) through which He flows unimpeded to produce His magnificent and eternal fruit.
Have you ever done any serious gardening? Can a pear tree produce grapes? When you cut back the dead wood doesn’t more than one fresh shoot spring forth? Have you ever had any serious gardening done on you? Those who bear fruit are not left alone. God is a diligent and expert vine dresser. They are cut to the quick – the sap of the Vine oozes forth from the wounds - so that fresh growth is possible – and more fruit! The most fruitful have the most scars from pruning. His vine is a perfect vine – everywhere it is green. There is no dead wood to be found. But there is pain, change, transformation and growth in the process.
There is an elite fighting force that claims as a slogan during their arduous physical training regimens that pain is the experience of weakness being driven from your body.
In James 1:2-8 (NKJV) the author writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (a fruit). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in (abiding) faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Read the rest of James for inspiration, encouragement and conviction.
Are you a person of faith? Are you going through a tough time? Consider the purpose for it and focus on the moment. Look for the good reason for it rather than focusing on some outcome you want in some uncertain future full of variables you do not control. What does He want? Why is He putting you through this? How can you glorify Him through it? Then, after a time, some serious prayer, an abiding heart, contemplation and quiet time away from others; invite God to speak to you personally. Then, finish this sentence; “I’m beginning to realize ____________.”
All the best!
Bill
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