It is amazing to watch people continually fall into the same hole. The metaphorically trip, stumble, and then tumble into a deep hole of their making and, to the casual observer, it is all over. Yet the disaster doesn’t seem to stop them as you watch the dust fly away and the staggering steps begin again. Sometimes they pour themselves into self-help books, seeking to understand how they can prevent yet another accident while others pause, if only momentarily, to reflect. Soon they are pushing ahead and you can see the process and cycle repeating.
As scaring as this scene is it is even worse when I catch myself in the mirror going through the same process. I wonder how if it is “me” yet the recurring cycles are so frequent that I find myself pausing to rediscover if there is a different view that will give me the insight that I have not found. In reflection the answer is simple and direct. The answer doesn’t lie within my self or in the wisdom of others; it lies simply and directly in God and the experiential relationship between the Spirit and us. The source isn’t within it is with God.
It would be easy to naively conclude that we are the first generation to face this problem. Actually every age faces the problem in a way that they believe is unique. Even in the times of Jesus with a society obsessed with scripture the problem was rampant. Jesus’ response was direct and to the point.
“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!” (John 5.39)
I wonder how badly I miss the forest. The foundation of every decision is simple yet conundrums exist in every day. To this and more I would say look to the source, believe in the Spirit, and get radical! Live as you have never done before; sing as you have never believed you could, and be in the moment.
