I am by nature a skeptic; a real "show me the money" kinda girl; a marketers nightmare. I can usually spot a con a mile away and am not generally wooed by bells nor whistles. (This, by the way, further explains my love of great design because instead of relying on gimmicks, it simply demonstrates evidence of a well thought out, beautifully executed plan.)
So, I was reading one of my favorite passages in Hebrews which defines faith as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." From there, it lists in detail a number of champions of faith and the specifics of what they were commended for. As I pause to consider these individuals, I realized that the faith demonstrated by these men and women requires a deep unshakable knowing. It was not just the product of wishful thinking. This level of faith requires a personal, life changing encounter with the living God. Like my brothers and sisters documented in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, my faith transcends my skepticism. It is not the best answer that I could find to a difficult question, to be discarded and replaced when a better one surfaces. It is the result of personally encountering God, when I was not even looking for him, and finding my heart's home.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Still
Life is busy. And technology keeps cranking up the tempo. What previously took a week to accomplish, now is possible to do in minutes via fax, email, text, the Internet, some combination thereof, or some other modern gadgetry. It is exhausting. And, ironically, despite all of this quick access to everything, we are not better for it.
During my husband's unemployment, we gave up our cell phones to trim down our expenses. Our budget was fairly lean anyway, so there wasn't much else to cut. It just made sense. Upon hearing this, I had several people look at me as if I'd announced that we were becoming Amish and giving up all electrical devices. Others treated this news as if we were brave contestants on some reality show. And while I will admit that there were a few minor instances when it would have been nice to make a quick phone call, I really haven't missed it and don't feel at all diminished without one. I love being unplugged. It allows me to be present in the moment.
In the midst of our technological "advancements", God hasn't changed. He is not trying to keep pace with our crazy world but continues to move in his own rhythm and time signature. He is not beholden to our whining for instant gratification. In the symphony that he has composed, the rests are as important as the notes which are played. And, if we are to fully encounter him, we have to set ourselves to His metronome.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
During my husband's unemployment, we gave up our cell phones to trim down our expenses. Our budget was fairly lean anyway, so there wasn't much else to cut. It just made sense. Upon hearing this, I had several people look at me as if I'd announced that we were becoming Amish and giving up all electrical devices. Others treated this news as if we were brave contestants on some reality show. And while I will admit that there were a few minor instances when it would have been nice to make a quick phone call, I really haven't missed it and don't feel at all diminished without one. I love being unplugged. It allows me to be present in the moment.
In the midst of our technological "advancements", God hasn't changed. He is not trying to keep pace with our crazy world but continues to move in his own rhythm and time signature. He is not beholden to our whining for instant gratification. In the symphony that he has composed, the rests are as important as the notes which are played. And, if we are to fully encounter him, we have to set ourselves to His metronome.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)