Sometimes I wonder why the world doesn’t disintegrate due to the cruelty, cluelessness, and foolishness of its inhabitants (of which I am one).
This blog entry has gone through several iterations in which I have pointed my pen at others' recent foolish (and worse) escapades.
But then I read this in The Way of the Heart, by Henry Nouwen: "...the roots of all conflict, war, injustice, cruelty, hatred, jealousy, and envy are deeply anchored in our own heart" Ouch.
I do believe, if it weren’t for God the Father, in whom we “live and move and have our being,” Acts 17:28 NIV, and Jesus the Son, who sustains “all things by his powerful word,” Hebrews 1:3 NIV, that the world would fall apart in a minute (possibly led by me and my own foolishness). Thanks be to God for his care, compassion, and patience.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Word Sower Sows Some Seeds
I sowed two kinds of seeds yesterday: the Word of God and grass seed. The text for the sowing of the Word was Mark 10:13-16, in which Jesus rebukes the disciples for rebuking the people who were bring their children to Jesus for a blessing. In the passage, Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children. He continues: “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15 NIV).
After reading the passage, a discussion ensued in which we reflected on the difference between positive childlike characteristics (simple faith, trust, dependence, humility, receptivity, expectation, exuberance, obedience) and childlike behavior (selfishness, tantrums, lashing out in anger, and hiding).
We also discussed some hindrances to responding to God like a child (cluelessness, upbringing, prior experiences, and habits) and some reasons for childlike behavior (fear, rebelliousness, pride, and envy). Then we talked about why these might be ruling our lives, and how we might acquire the childlike characteristics that please God.
The grass seed was spread over the top soil in my back yard. While casting the seed on the ground, the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) churned in my mind. In the parable, the sower casts seed on the ground and the resulting crops are, in part, dependent upon the type of soil into which the seed is cast. The sower obviously trusts that some will fall on good soil or he wouldn’t cast the seed. The sower is also dependent on God to produce the crop, as the sower has no control over the climate.
If the seed I sowed yesterday afternoon fell on good ground, we should see some grass in a few weeks. If the seed I sowed yesterday morning fell on good ground, it could produce some good spiritual growth in God's time. For the glory of God, may it be so in my life and in the lives of my students.
After reading the passage, a discussion ensued in which we reflected on the difference between positive childlike characteristics (simple faith, trust, dependence, humility, receptivity, expectation, exuberance, obedience) and childlike behavior (selfishness, tantrums, lashing out in anger, and hiding).
We also discussed some hindrances to responding to God like a child (cluelessness, upbringing, prior experiences, and habits) and some reasons for childlike behavior (fear, rebelliousness, pride, and envy). Then we talked about why these might be ruling our lives, and how we might acquire the childlike characteristics that please God.
The grass seed was spread over the top soil in my back yard. While casting the seed on the ground, the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) churned in my mind. In the parable, the sower casts seed on the ground and the resulting crops are, in part, dependent upon the type of soil into which the seed is cast. The sower obviously trusts that some will fall on good soil or he wouldn’t cast the seed. The sower is also dependent on God to produce the crop, as the sower has no control over the climate.
If the seed I sowed yesterday afternoon fell on good ground, we should see some grass in a few weeks. If the seed I sowed yesterday morning fell on good ground, it could produce some good spiritual growth in God's time. For the glory of God, may it be so in my life and in the lives of my students.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)