Long Time, Time to See.

Hey all, it’s been a while since a post has straggled down this path.  To our two and a half readers, please pardon us.  Life is busy, but should never be too busy to share a good word or even better, THE good word.

You know, for a while now most of the messages shared with us by our own Pastor Matthew and of guest speakers has been about ours (yours, mine, his, hers) purpose; that is to say, the plan for our lives that God has for us if we pursue His will, and with it a sure path to changing this world for the better; for our own good; for the good of others; and for His glory.  It’s hard to figure out what that’s gonna look like for ourselves.  But, what’s great is that it does not have to be patterned after someone else.  God’s imaginative enough to create a unique yet equally powerful plan for every single one of our lives.

Enchantment by Marc Chagall

I was perusing the internet and, of course, Google came into play (what was life like before Google? Does anyone remember?).  I love the little colorful way they decorate their signage commemorating holidays or even artists’ birthdays, like our painter-friend, dear Marc Chagall, born 7.7.1887.  (good numbers, huh? three 7’s.)

Contrary to popular sentiment regarding the somber source of truly influential art, Chagall’s work celebrated blessings and with vibrant color he relayed his optimism as “an observer of the world through a stained glass window.”  And was even criticised for taking such a sunny stance.  How dare you be a talented artist…and be content!!?

The ChaGall.

La Mariée by Marc Chagall

Anyway, I just thought he’d be a great known artist to share.  He bucks the tortured trend.  He’s good at what he does.  And, through his “uncategorizable” style of art he shared with us his unabashed embrace of his Jewish culture and beliefs. 

That takes guts.

God bless you, sir.

Artist: Marc Chagall

White Crucifixion by Marc Chagall

 

Artist info gathered from Wikipedia.com

How Great Are the Little Things!

Do you want to live an unsatisfied life?  Then believe that you need everything that our enlightened modern society tells us is needed.  In that lie, you will find all the unfulfillment you could ever not want.   So, often I find myself falling into the trap of thinking if I cannot have my cake and eat it, too, then I have room for unrest. I’m like the kid in the store who reaches for all the colorful tooth aches displayed on the shelves.  While, in moments of maturity I nod my head in agreement to the sage and common sense wisdom shared in (Prov. 15:17):  I mean, who wouldn’t prefer a dish of vegetables where love is versus a rich meal served with hatred?  Right? Unfortunately, common sense pales to common desires.   

The word “depress” means to lower, weaken, to demoralize and discourage.  By focusing on what we don’t need, we depress the things that will strengthen and uplift us.  Does it matter, then, how attractive the “don’ts” are, if the pursuit of them makes us feel bad.  On the other hand, what if we were to pursue those things which truly bring us joy? And, if you get extra on top, then that’s not a bad deal either!  But, neither will its presence or abandonment determine your joy. I’ve learned that the pursuit of the hype offered nothing truly satisfying for me.  But, it is only when I have allowed God to show me what my unique needs are–the specific needs I require in order to thrive–it’s then that I have found lasting satisfaction.  Not one of us is built to be redundant.  We’re not built to be the same, and neither will our needs be met by the picture-perfect solutions spit out of the contemporary (assembly) line of thought.When I have been honest enough to admit that I can do without many things, but require a certain few, I have been able to set that standard with confidence; and never has God not delivered on producing something good, secure, fulfilling and meaningful to lil ol’ me.  And, as a matter of fact, He’s always blessed me beyond what I asked for.  Even so, it would be so easy to throw the baby out with the bathwater when the negatives make themselves known.But, if I learn to identify the right things and the right things don’t change, then why should my gratitude for them diminish? Am I so fickle?  Could I change so much that even my most basic needs are forgotten and exchanged for a new set?  Yeah.In the Bible there were two men, Moses and Jacob who grew up with one perspective only to have life experiences bring them to a place where God could open their hearts to who He’d created them to be.  Through knowing Him, and accepting His will for their lives they came to really know who they were and realized what great things they could do with a very little, if it was a little that was blessed by God. We can “center” ourselves and become Ohm with the universe as much as we want, but until we get to know the One who knows us better than we know ourselves, we will never get to the center of our desires.  Only through Jesus Christ can we navigate that pathway through our emotional detachments, our unforgiveness for others and ourselves, our pessimism, our unrealized weaknesses and all the other weeds and rocks and tumbles that hinder our view of where we’re headed.  He’s our guide.  And, He guides us to being okay with the wonderfully irreplaceable person that you are.  And, to the distinct needs that fulfill remarkable you.