Life is incredibly short.
Not to be pessimistic, or small-minded, but the greater I understand the scale of life, and its incredible smallness, the larger every moment of life becomes.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Equality
When we seek equality, it is strange. When a child says to his peer in an innocent game of kickball, "Hey, these teams are not fair!", the child says so because of one of either 2 reasons. One, is that the bitterness of losing leads the child to seek for an outlet of his frustration, or two, the child finds himself bored in face of the overwhelming victory that came without a bead of sweat or effort. Either way, the child then seeks 'equality'... for his own betterment.
Perhaps the example above is unfair, inaccurate, or too assumptive. Whatever it is, the truth is this: that when one seeks equality, one rarely seeks it for the equality of one's fellow brother. When we seek equality, we desire to bring people up, or bring people down--somewhere, at some level, that is comforting to us. Discomfort always makes us feel different--and difference, often times silently whispers inequality to us until we are persuaded as is. We create situations and circumstances that justify the definition of inequality we have formed in our thoughts.
When we seek equality, whether for others or ourselves, we are implying that we understand and know definitively of a higher standard. It is almost pompous, and arrogant, and yet our 'search for equality' makes us feel as if we are pursuing a noble act. It is a great trick, a great illusion.
What brings about equality that is noble and genuine is found in its antithesis--inequality. The recognition of universal inequality, that wholly includes ourselves, is in an incredible equalizer. And in this recognition, there is no implied knowing of a higher standard, but a humble acknowledging that we are no different from each other; no higher, no lower, we all lean the same way. And with this recognition comes a humility that sobers us to things greater than ourselves. It is in this place, where inequality is found and recognized, that ironically, equality itself is found. Rather than the whispers of inequality creating a rebound effect towards searching to create equality, we must hear the more gentle, honest whispers of inequality and let it draw us back to the ground we all stand from.
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" Romans 8:22-24
It is in Church, where too often equality is sought after blindly--like sheep we are led astray by the disguised act of nobleness that bears no fruit.
Perhaps the example above is unfair, inaccurate, or too assumptive. Whatever it is, the truth is this: that when one seeks equality, one rarely seeks it for the equality of one's fellow brother. When we seek equality, we desire to bring people up, or bring people down--somewhere, at some level, that is comforting to us. Discomfort always makes us feel different--and difference, often times silently whispers inequality to us until we are persuaded as is. We create situations and circumstances that justify the definition of inequality we have formed in our thoughts.
When we seek equality, whether for others or ourselves, we are implying that we understand and know definitively of a higher standard. It is almost pompous, and arrogant, and yet our 'search for equality' makes us feel as if we are pursuing a noble act. It is a great trick, a great illusion.
What brings about equality that is noble and genuine is found in its antithesis--inequality. The recognition of universal inequality, that wholly includes ourselves, is in an incredible equalizer. And in this recognition, there is no implied knowing of a higher standard, but a humble acknowledging that we are no different from each other; no higher, no lower, we all lean the same way. And with this recognition comes a humility that sobers us to things greater than ourselves. It is in this place, where inequality is found and recognized, that ironically, equality itself is found. Rather than the whispers of inequality creating a rebound effect towards searching to create equality, we must hear the more gentle, honest whispers of inequality and let it draw us back to the ground we all stand from.
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" Romans 8:22-24
It is in Church, where too often equality is sought after blindly--like sheep we are led astray by the disguised act of nobleness that bears no fruit.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Softer
Today the heart is softer, but there is no carefree, airy lightness to it. It will not float on through and above clouds and parallel to the flight of birds. It is not carefree, and will not dance with the sunlight upon the surface of the lake. Today, the heart is softer--but not lighter. Like a new pillow, it has been given a new Egyptian cotton threaded cover and plumped up with extra Goose feather fillings. It has just been put through a run in the local laundromat dryer, and one can feel its warmth and softness.
Softer, but not lighter. But not heavy either. It is heavy enough to not feel cheap in the palm of one's hand, and light enough to comfortably store in one's pocket. Today, the heart is softer. Wrinkles of love and care have set in today, and broken in the once stiff, new fabric.
Today, I have been blessed with a grain of wisdom: to know how important it is to allow a heart to be affected, wrinkled, and softened--but not stained. Let love permeate and give value to my heart--and not make it lighter and leave it without purpose or intent. The lightness of it all is only felt through the added strength because of new found value and meaning; our legs take fuller, stronger strides and we lift our chins to breathe in the crisper air.
Softer, but not lighter. But not heavy either. It is heavy enough to not feel cheap in the palm of one's hand, and light enough to comfortably store in one's pocket. Today, the heart is softer. Wrinkles of love and care have set in today, and broken in the once stiff, new fabric.
Today, I have been blessed with a grain of wisdom: to know how important it is to allow a heart to be affected, wrinkled, and softened--but not stained. Let love permeate and give value to my heart--and not make it lighter and leave it without purpose or intent. The lightness of it all is only felt through the added strength because of new found value and meaning; our legs take fuller, stronger strides and we lift our chins to breathe in the crisper air.
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