I have no doubt that what I believe about the unseen, supernatural and metaphysical aspects of humanity is not the truth. I'm not clever enough, devoted enough, called enough, educated enough, intuitive enough, elected enough, experienced enough, traveled enough, ministered enough, inspired enough, pure enough, or nice enough. I'm just not enough of anything that would give me some lock on the truth. I am still heartened by the possibility of putting something together that makes some kind of sense. Somewhat surprisingly, what I have so far fits rather well. It looks a lot like the unseen me, and conveniently changes with new circumstances and realities. I'm always at the place I'm supposed to be.
The central figure in my unseen world is Jesus Christ. The fact that it's not some other religious figure lies in the formidable and mysterious challenges that he presents. He comes with a breath and depth of the divine that can not be dismissed. Volumes have been written about him so there's no need to have another take on him. I can accept one of the already boxed understandings or pick and chose from all that I would want Jesus to be. Both have their limitations but they seem to work okay for many. There have been several differences that some believed to be deal breakers but ultimately, Jesus gets to be Jesus. And that's a huge reality. So, there may yet be a lot more substance to know and experience of his truth.
On my happy days, I think the world is going to get better. On days that I have to deal with people, I can quickly form some doubts. On days that I am confronted with my worse self, it's easy to believe that nothing will change. So, everything would be better if I could make the world go away. (Thank You Eddie) I could live in my own little world. Something I've been accused of doing anyway. If fact, I would say that's it's somewhat spiritual to get back to only the basics, perhaps something along the line of a monastic tradition. The contemplative life always fascinated me, but then I heard that it was for those who couldn't otherwise make it in their faith. ...Maybe that was just a joke. I still would take some kind of head in the sand approach if I could.
So, I have to think of the silence that sometimes surrounds the unseen me. More of that would probably be good. And it fits my current understanding of what else is possible. But I'm too curious and too restless to be that disciplined. Hence, I have to convince myself that what I do now has its own place and benefits. As good as this is, I'm not expecting to have too many followers, not at this point at least. My quality of solitude is somewhat diminished by the amount of time I spend on the computer. But if I use it with iTunes off, I could count it as meditation. ...Yet, I know I could do better if I tried.
Therefore, I have to further ask that popular question, What Would Jesus Do? ...Or WWJD? I assume here that which isn't already known and believed. Mainly, I think the question has to do with specific contemporary problems that aren't already addressed. I would like to think that I would be surprised by the answers. And then with knowing those, I could better put together a fuller understanding. I've heard many reports of what Jesus supposedly did or didn't do. Helping to win NFL games stands out for some who point to the obvious of dying children and other human ills that need attention. But such is the paradox of faith, and a much longer discussion.
So perhaps, the better question is "How would Jesus interact with the world as it now is?" Our best guesses often conflict with other best guesses. As conflicted as those who have had direct revelation. Predictably, the guesses and revelations fit themselves better than they do anyone else. In an imperfect world, gray answers are sometimes needed more than the black and white ones.
I still would like to think that Jesus would do the same as I would do. But even more, it would be really great if he voted like I would vote and if he loved everything about auto racing like love it. Hey, it's still my own little world. But if I want to do something outside of it, I might have to deal with the world the way it really is and take responsibility for my choices, my actions and my faith. Sure, it would be a lot easier if I knew exactly what Jesus would do, exactly what he is now doing and exactly how he is doing it. ...But until then, WWJD? is still a good question unless you are only looking for the answers you want.
The central figure in my unseen world is Jesus Christ. The fact that it's not some other religious figure lies in the formidable and mysterious challenges that he presents. He comes with a breath and depth of the divine that can not be dismissed. Volumes have been written about him so there's no need to have another take on him. I can accept one of the already boxed understandings or pick and chose from all that I would want Jesus to be. Both have their limitations but they seem to work okay for many. There have been several differences that some believed to be deal breakers but ultimately, Jesus gets to be Jesus. And that's a huge reality. So, there may yet be a lot more substance to know and experience of his truth.
On my happy days, I think the world is going to get better. On days that I have to deal with people, I can quickly form some doubts. On days that I am confronted with my worse self, it's easy to believe that nothing will change. So, everything would be better if I could make the world go away. (Thank You Eddie) I could live in my own little world. Something I've been accused of doing anyway. If fact, I would say that's it's somewhat spiritual to get back to only the basics, perhaps something along the line of a monastic tradition. The contemplative life always fascinated me, but then I heard that it was for those who couldn't otherwise make it in their faith. ...Maybe that was just a joke. I still would take some kind of head in the sand approach if I could.
So, I have to think of the silence that sometimes surrounds the unseen me. More of that would probably be good. And it fits my current understanding of what else is possible. But I'm too curious and too restless to be that disciplined. Hence, I have to convince myself that what I do now has its own place and benefits. As good as this is, I'm not expecting to have too many followers, not at this point at least. My quality of solitude is somewhat diminished by the amount of time I spend on the computer. But if I use it with iTunes off, I could count it as meditation. ...Yet, I know I could do better if I tried.
Therefore, I have to further ask that popular question, What Would Jesus Do? ...Or WWJD? I assume here that which isn't already known and believed. Mainly, I think the question has to do with specific contemporary problems that aren't already addressed. I would like to think that I would be surprised by the answers. And then with knowing those, I could better put together a fuller understanding. I've heard many reports of what Jesus supposedly did or didn't do. Helping to win NFL games stands out for some who point to the obvious of dying children and other human ills that need attention. But such is the paradox of faith, and a much longer discussion.
So perhaps, the better question is "How would Jesus interact with the world as it now is?" Our best guesses often conflict with other best guesses. As conflicted as those who have had direct revelation. Predictably, the guesses and revelations fit themselves better than they do anyone else. In an imperfect world, gray answers are sometimes needed more than the black and white ones.
I still would like to think that Jesus would do the same as I would do. But even more, it would be really great if he voted like I would vote and if he loved everything about auto racing like love it. Hey, it's still my own little world. But if I want to do something outside of it, I might have to deal with the world the way it really is and take responsibility for my choices, my actions and my faith. Sure, it would be a lot easier if I knew exactly what Jesus would do, exactly what he is now doing and exactly how he is doing it. ...But until then, WWJD? is still a good question unless you are only looking for the answers you want.
