Grim Reaper No More

Have you ever obeyed God's word to you at a time when all your gut instincts said "no"? What happened as a result of your obedience? (Serendipity Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 1121).

Let me begin by considering everyday chores. Now and then I come across a job assignment that is more difficult than the typical assignment. Inevitably, some fear, anxiety, and foreboding accompany such tasks. Yet, when I accept the assignment with determination and a "can-do" attitude, it never fails that upon completion of the task my sense of self-worth and confirmation of competence increases.

Likewise, God has given me assignments that have threatened life itself. My gut instincts signaled danger and sometimes my body trembled in fear. But when I have put the disciplines of love ahead of fear, I've always been confirmed in the faith and more willing the next time to do God's will. If one is afraid of death above all else, then he cannot serve the eternal God nor reap the joys even now of participating in everlasting life. To be much use to God, we must in the last analysis let love drive out fear—even fear of death itself.

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The Team Player Paradox

Once there was a basketball team that had a major problem—the team put team loyalty above effectiveness. Rather than making a basket, they always tossed the ball back and forth sharing basket-making potential equally among everyone. Thus they never scored because they put being a good “team player” above winning.

This is a metaphor for the pitfalls of socialism; but not for socialism alone, but for Christian humility as well. Effectiveness must always be a standard addressed even if that means individual achievement must now and then outshine team player modesty. True humility focuses on effectiveness and celebrates exceptional achievement even when others' support and service are not emphasized and in a sense become invisible.

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The Mythology of Rectitude

If violence only begets more violence, why do you do it? If running away from your problems or striking first doesn't solve your problems, what does? (Serendipity Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 1119).

We typically think that violence manifests hard realism and an aggressive tendency to "get real." But it can be seen that the contrary is most often true. Violence can be an expression of rampant escapism by both parties. The most fundamental form of escapism is that of failing to see your opposition as essentially a reflection of the same human nature you share. What you hate your enemy most for is no different from the proclivities of your own nature. A gang member, for example, may label all officers of the law as "crackers." This is simply a way of expressing a total lack of kinship. The law officers, on the other hand, may label all gang members as "thugs." Again, for the same purpose. It is said that "subtle differences make all the difference." Actually both "thugs" and "crackers" constitute pejorative stones thrown giving testimony to the commonality of human behavior--a marked tendency to render inhuman one's opposition. Surely the first step down any path of violence is the dehumanization of the opposition--which is itself a totally human form of behavior--something profoundly shared by all human beings. An additional indication of escapism is that conflict resolution can be a complex, painstaking, and resource demanding activity. It can require patience, tenacity, and an immense degree of quiet and non-sensational work. Is it any wonder that humans often opt for escape from these assiduous requirements of conflict resolution and choose instead the dramatics and heroics of violence? Again, what unites us is widespread and profound.

The fallacy of seeing ourselves as righteous compared to far lesser human beings has been made plain by Jesus when he discussed murder this way: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22 NIV). No one is exempt from the vulnerabilities of mankind, and we can be rest assured we fully share commonality with the totality of the strange mammalians called homo sapiens.

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The Abiding “Little Joke” Revisited

I first posted the immediately following paragraph on April 27, 2011:

Once many years ago (in 1980) I had a dear friend who gave me the following drawing on a small scratchpad piece of paper just before we left in his car on an errand one dark and rainy afternoon. It is not the original drawing, which I lost, but a reproduction to the best of my memory and like the original is drawn with a broad tipped pen in black ink. It is a very accurate reproduction for I immediately took it seriously though he said it was a “little joke.” Very early on I took the drawing to have spiritual significance and assumed it was the gift of a divine messenger. The writing beneath states (and these are the exact words) “A structure like this will please the dogs in muddy rainy weather.” I take this to mean a holy structure (the thrice divided triangle) with a cantilever extension indicating worship of the Lord and also being and outward extension indicating compassionate involvement in the world—a structure—which will please the dogs in muddy rainy weather—in other words, through our time on earth which is a period of “muddy rainy weather.” The “dogs” I take to be the Lord and all his minions. I am led to share this with you tonight praying that all might be inspired to live sturdy, structured, and holy lives.

From time to time I have experiences that add to my understanding of this figure. Yesterday evening I was filled with the spirit and the confirmed immense reality and presence of God. For the first time I came to appreciate the expanded significance of the “dogs”-- the Lord God and all his minions. (In truth I have usually focused on the pyramidal structure.) Dogs are not only “man's best friend” they can be also be “man's worst enemy” with sometimes lethal results. In short, for the first time it dawned upon me with all seriousness the fear I should have of God if I flagrantly betray his trust—usually in the form of self-righteous pride and arrogance. The God of the Old Testament is fully capable of chastening me to the point of death. In other words, if I seriously betrayed his trust (if the cantilever were not present) I could well not make it to the end of the block. It is important to remember that physical death is less significant to God than spiritual death.

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The Problem of Evil in a Nutshell

Let us say we are looking in on a typical home one Sunday afternoon. Mother and dad are in the living room with two of their boys ages 8 and 10. The detritus of the day has gathered in a pile of trash towards one corner of the room. Dad says, OK boys carry out the trash for us. Two avenues of action are now possible.

The boys can see themselves a team. They can with generosity and goodwill pitch in to quickly and efficiently take care of the problem—all the while bonding their relationship even stronger and bringing great love, satisfaction, and pride to their observing parents. The problem is taken care of almost immediately. It is the smart, commonsensical way to meet the issue.

The other option unaccountably too often occurs. After dad's request, immediately bickering breaks out and charges and counter-charges abound as to who should do this or that. Ill will as a contagion envelopes the room enshrouding even the adults. The bickering subsides and then re-surges all afternoon and well into the night. In the end with great bitterness, meanness, and anger; somehow the job gets half-heartedly done in an atmosphere that reeks of venomous spite and recrimination.

Even though the the former approach has clear and vast advantages and is a direct route to happiness, the latter is typical and characteristic of human behavior throughout history. In many ways it represents evil in the world and (considering its plainly evident disadvantages) it is a great mystery as to why it persists and rules in petty as well as great matters.

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Persistent Belief

Have you ever persisted in a task for years despite legal opposition and a total lack of visible success? What would motivate you (or anyone) to persist? (Serendipity Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 1114).

Even though I have lived a limited life often filled with intimidation (perhaps because of this very fact), I concurrently have always held an indomitable belief that I will make a significant and broad contribution. Now that I am in my sunset years and should on all accounts be letting go of this belief, the conviction continues to persist. Perhaps God knows that I am a weak vessel that requires such an assurance to continue even minimal performance. I have long since ceased looking for a reason why this belief persists, I simply accede to its unrelenting sway and influence in my daily behavior. I am very much the backroom dishwasher cradling an abiding certitude that one day he will be king.

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Disdain or Kindness?

How do people today show disdain for God's word? Do you honor it? How so? (Serendipity Bible 10th anniversary edition page 1114).

Love and all its disciplines and manifestations can be significant irritants to those inordinately self-determined and self-willed. To them life is a zero-sum game. Mutuality from this point of view is only cynical accommodation and kindness a similar ploy. Such a mindset is antithetical to God's purpose of love and peace. Disdain thereby is shown for God's word. Do I honor God's word?--sometimes. Sometimes the reptilian legacy of the mind reacts with and expresses domination and power instincts. It is such times that I remember hymns of faith, such as “Sweet Hour of Prayer” in attempts to set aside anger and a bent for retaliation.

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