A Mud Pie Mindset

                 
                    

                                Mud pies                   

     

Majesty

       Mud pies or Majesty?  Many ideas come to me  that I think I should blog on but somehow they never get to the page, as is evident from my last post 6 months ago.  But this quote by C. S. Lewis stopped me dead in my tracks this morning, even though I've heard it many times,  and it finally sat me down to write:  “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half- hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

     How often do we continue to look down at our world, trying to fix it, blame it, and look to it to satisfy, when what we need to do is  not try to fix our circumstances only but to FIRST look to the hills "from which cometh our help"? (Is. 40:26)  C.S. Lewis also said that he found in himself a desire which no experience in the world can quench...that we were meant for another world...and that earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.  

     Maybe these insights too me aback in a new way because of my recentstudy of Psalm 91.  This psalm is near and dear to me becaues of finding that it calmed my mother when she was in the throws of depression and turmoil after a thyroid cancer surgery years ago.  This psalm according to the book Psalm 91: God's Shield of Protection by Ruth & Shrum, is called The Soldier's Psalm.  It told of General George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff in WWII who said:  "I saw firsthand what happens when belief in the Almighty God flodds the hearts and soulds of men and women rushing into battle.  This supreme confidence in God is not foxhold religion or superficial faith - it is a life-changing decision to place oneself in the loving hands of Him who is greater than the battlefield."

         In this psalm we are told, "You will not fear the terror of the night."The book goes on to illuminate this passage by suggesting that:  When our eyes are not on God, fear will come.  But let that fear be a reminder to repent.  We walk by faith and not by sight.  (2 Cor. 5:7). 
We have to choose to believe what we see.  Not that we deny the existence of the attack, for the attack may be very real.  But God wants our faith in His Word to become more of a reality to us than what we see in the natural.  Faith does not deny the existence of terror, but there are simply higher laws in the bible for overcoming it.  

     It is so easy to forget that we are told in Psalm 91:4 that he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the almighty.  Therefore Ruth & Shum go on to remind us to:  open our minds with the determination to stand firm and refuse to entertain fearful thoughts.  What we allow our mind to dwell on is our choice.  Therefore, if we desire to operate in this protection covenant, taking authority over negative thoughts and emotions is imperative.  It is amazing how the simple phrase, "I am just not going there." can provide the shield to dispel those fear thoughts just as the blood of the lamb provided passover and also provided immunity from the Egyptian plagues in the land of Goshen.  

     Then in a study at church this morning I was reminded that:  All persons everywhere have a deep, inner sense that God exists.  Paul says even Gentile unbelievers "knew God" but did not honor him or give thanks to him.  All have the opportunity to seek Him.  The Bible says there  is something called foolishness that destroys our sense of God's reality.  This foolishness often seeks to have faith in ideologies that will solve all the world's problems.   Not that we don't need to pursue earthly resolutions to earthly problems,  but we often look past God's hand in it all. 

    There have been a few people in the history of the world that have caused men to ask, "Who are you?" Buddha and Gandhi and Jesus are among them.  People who knew them well had never seen such compassion and integrity and wisdom in anyone else.  Yet  Buddha or Gandhi never professed to be God.  Buddha himself said, "Don't worship me."  But Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14:6)  Christians are accused today of a narrow-minded intolerance.  This faith should never result in anything but love,  but the fact is - it is either right or wrong.  It is either THE way, or it is not.  For them to state that is not intolerance, but truth.  However, they must earn the relationship status to have the right to state their beliefs in order to do this in a respectful, appropriate way.  at are the chances that an explosion in a print factory would produce Hamlet?  In the same way, when we look at the world there is far more order and beauty and design than in the book of Hamlet. How can we possibly believe in the Big Bang Theory with no authority behind it?  Jesus claimed to be God and Creator of this intricate world.  He set the world on its ear for those who would listen and those who would not in three short years.  The biggest question then came:  What are you betting your life on?

     It has taken me years to begin to understand what surrender means,  to begin to be content in the face of not getting my way or in unanswered prayer that is hard to understand how it could not be pleasing to God to grant - prayers for myself or friends of health issues, marriage issues, children issues, relationship issues, financial issues, governmental issues - all causing pain and suffering in unimaginable ways.  My daughter's friends had a 9 month old baby die of a brain tumor - how can it be God's will to  allow this?  But if it causes these precious parents to seek God's comfort - can we not see how from God's point of view He gets both their souls as well as this little one who I firmly believe now resides in heaven - and that His love could be seen  in the opportunity for the outpouring of love for them from their family and friends?   Those same parents are now are sponsoring a run to raise money for childhood cancer that helps us see one outcome of Romans 8:28 - that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.  Of course we are told to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7) so on this side of heaven we may never see God's workings in these matters.  Still we are given much insight on suffering in His word:   For we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, character, hope.  (Rom. 5:3) and in Heb. 1 2:7 where we are called to: endure hardship as discipline, and  in James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith provides perseverance.   These are but a few.  

     

     But one of the greatest testimonies of God's provision for help in times of trouble come from friends that have endured much hardship with their faith and dignity intact - with the authenticity to admit that their sufferings often cause them to question but that over and over they have seen His mercy and comfort as He intervenes in their hearts if not always in their circumstances.  To me these heart miracles of being able to persevere in the midst of some of life's greatest tragedies are the greatest evidence to me that the "peace that passes understanding" mentioned in Phil. 4 is given and available as the result of great faith,  and that God does answer our prayers with His Presence always. He never promised to fix everything in this world, but He did promise to be with us always. I have told you these things so that you may have peace.  In this world there will be trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.  John 16: 33. 

     Another place I see evidence of a "majestic mindset"  - one that has a heavenly perspective is when I see civil and respectful discourse in the face of our current toxic political situation even when addressing opposing sides of an argument.  Thankfully it isn't always Christians that can exhibit this ability.   Sometimes I wonder if God doesn't allow for certain issues even in the bible that may be subject to interpretation resulting in differing denominations and theological discussions. He also gives no clear insights into big cultural questions that many claim to have His insight  on - ones that have many sides to them such as abortion.  He created different skin colors, and cultures, and personalities - all just to test us on the ability to follow the instruction of Romans 12:18:  Insofar as you are able, live at peace with everyone.  None of these foundational principles of Christianity are unclear.  Another crystal clear instruction is in James 1 - Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires...Those who consider themselves religious yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongue deceive themselves and their religion is worthless.  Religion that God our Father accepts is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.   

     I could go on but that's another blog for another day that hopefully doesn't take 6 months.  But back to keeping a mindset that is not derailed by the pleasures or injustices of this world - one that does not forsake its first love. (see Rev. 2:4)  and one that lifts its eyes to the heavens (Is. 40:26 and 51:6).  Of course we must look down at the world to live in it.  One of the first precepts of the life coaching program amplified in Katie Brazelton's Pathway to Purpose is to Do What Matter Today. We must do what we can in this world.  We are told to feed the hungry and care for widows and orphans and to give to Caesar what is Caesar's - thereby being politically informed and serving in the world where we are called. But we must always do it in the shadow of His wings, lifting our eyes to the heavens with each suffering, each call to arms, each setback, each need to speak the truth in love, each word we speak, and each step and we take in this world.

Back to Psalm 51 which is but one help to arm us to do this in the face of tormenting obstacles:  

Psalm 91:  A Psalm of Refuge

He who dwells in the shelter of the High,

Will abide in the LORD's shadow.  

He will be our refuge,

Therefore, where else shall we go? 

It is He that delivers from the evil one

With his deadly traps and snares.

When His wings provide a refuge,

Why go anywhere else with our cares?

We need not fear the terror of the night,

Or the arrows that fly by day,

For His faithfulness is a shield,

To protect us on our way.

No evil will befall you,

For He will give His angels charge 

     concerning you,

He will guard you in all your ways.

He will deliver you.

For to those who have loved Him,

He sets securely on High.

Those who know His name

Will be saved and never die.

He has said,  "In your day of trouble,

I will answer if you call upon Me.  

Let us be covered by his pinions,

To dwell with Him saved and free. 

     

      


                        

Opening the Gift

                 

           I still love snow days as much as I did when I was a student and later as a teacher.  A snow day seemed like a gift of a morning of quiet, one in which I didn't have to rush and press like most mornings.  Snow days are simply days when time stands still, and what is on the calendar no longer matters,  where peace on earth seems tangible in the moment upon awakening to snow covering the world like a virgin white blanket - when all is calm, all is bright - that is, until the traffic turns the roads to ugly grey slush and the rat race picks up its pace once more.

           It was on one such morning before Christmas this year that God used the anointed words of Anne Voskamp in her book The Greatest Gift to slow my world -weary spirit this season.  Her words took me above the anxieties over things that many in the world would call blessings to have such things to worry about.  Blessings - to have the means and energy to have a Christmas dinner for 19 people in my small group - to have over 60 friends to send cards to - to have a car that only needs an oil change (but needs it NOW before our Christmas trip, in the midst of packing and preparing) - to have the means to buy presents (even if they did need wrapping and I've discovered I can no longer sit on the floor to do so!)  I certainly needed to be reminded yet again of another of Anne's books, One Thousand Gifts as I dare to let the gifts I've been given allow the Giver to fade into the background of my life and the details of the world become the focus of my life.

         But God has used the newest creativity of this soul sister I don't even know personally to touch my earth-bound spirit with her new book and to remind me that this world is NOT all there is!!!  We forget in His Sovereignty that He allows the darts of the devil - be they minor annoyances or grave tragedies  - to remind us that He is God and we are not - that we must remember He works ALL things to good those who are called to His purpose (Rom. 8:28)- yes even the worst atrocities we see on the news of what's happening in this dark world.

          We cannot begin to see past our pain  to understand His ways - or see that hate crimes or cancer or kids with dehibilitating special needs can possibly be used to good.  But we can look at Paul singing praises in jail and the apostles joyfully telling the good news in the face of martyrdom, or Corrie Ten Boom or Joni Tada Erickson writing books about how faith got them through prison camps or becoming a quadrapalegic.  Only now in reflection can we see how the awful suffering of those followers speak volumes still, years and centuries later - proclaiming the power of God's glory that can take the weakest humans through the most terrible storms.

         THAT is the gift we needed to have unwrapped this Christmas,  one that won't be forgotten like the wrapping paper now long banished to the trash and the decorations shoved back into their boxes, one that will be used every day and hour of the coming year.  How pitiful to take a gift of unestimatable worth and let it get jostled  to the back of our lives - letting it get lost in the shuffle of the trinkets and baubles and busyness of our lives.  For here we have no lasting kingdom. We journey to heaven where we're fully known ...the words from an old hymn that came wafting through the cobwebs of past hopes to remind me I can have that hope today.

           Yes, today - in these uncertain times - with the world growing smaller - and nuclear weapons attainable to more powers - and dissension and hate and division - and Democrats, and Republicans and Liberatarians so sure their views are right that they can project the future even in the complicated nuances of economics and trying to make sense of history and the current news - and judge others who don't see the forecast as they do.

           To be sure, there was  bickering among the apostles causing these verses to be written for our edification: Titus 3:9 - Avoid foolish controversies... and arguments and quarrels about the law because these are unprofitable and useless and 2 Tim 2:23 - Have nothing to do with stupid arguments because they produce quarrels. The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct...  They even complained about how others were preaching the gospel but Paul tells them in Phil. 1:17-18 - The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely...But what does it matter?  The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

           Perhaps God allowed this world to be so complicated that even  His followers would have cause to disagree - and so He allows all of the differences and viewpoints and grey areas whether in life or theology or politics to give us cause to have our love and faith tested because then His glory will shine more brightly against the darkness of dissension and chaous.

          This is where in the dark of a winter morning Anne Voskamp's words cut thrugh the clutter and maddness of the world's cacaphoney and spoke to my heart - "We read the world's headlines and wonder:  If there's a God who really cares, He'd look at this world and His heart would break.  And God looks to the cross...and says, "My heart did."...Gen. 6:6 tells us (after God started over with the flood) that "His heart was filled with pain." And Christ comes like an ark, like a cradle over floods. Every flood of stress is an invitation to get into the ark of our Savior.  Every flood of troubles remakes the topography of our souls, making us better or bitter...Jesus claims those who are wandering and wondering and wounded and worn out as His.  He grafts you into His line and His story and His heart and He gives you His name, His lineage, His righeousness.  He graces you with plain grace.  ...Is there a greater gift you could want or need or have?...Christ comes right to your Christmas tree and looks at your family tree and says, "I am your God and I am one of you, and I'll be the Gift and I'll take you.  Take me?  This is the story that's been coming for you since the beginning.  And you could wake on Christmas to only grasp that you never took the whole of the Gift. So now we pause. Still.  Ponder. Hush.  Wait.  - for the Gift who was pierced for you, wounded, who unfolds Himself on the Tree as your endless, greatest Gift.

            And so on this quiet morning, I stop to check that I will not have entered the new year with the greatest gift left unopened. But that, as I return to the cold, noisy, annoying hassles of living, that I remember I have a Gift, the greatest Gift, singing to my soul: silent night, all is calm, all is well in the midst of it all.

Silent morn, holy morn
All is well, all is calm.
Round yon world though noisy and mad
Has come a gift to make us glad,

Walk in heavenly peace.  Walk in heavenly peace.

Silent heart, holy heart
Stop and still, midst the mess
Of racial strife and  different views
Of how to deal with the worldly news,

Walk in heavenly peace.  Walk in heavenly peace.

Silent words, holy words,
Stop and think before you speak,
Silence words of judgement and scorn,
Speak only words  that from His are born.

Walk in heavenly peace.  Walk in heavenly peace.