Is there really anything else to say after that?
This word alone can be the entire entry.
It's kind of like dropping the proverbial bombshell. One of those instances where once it's mentioned, everyone either gets quiet or there's a total uproar. We've all had our share of ups and downs; good, bad, and the ugly.
The only ounce of solace to offer you on this day: "It could all be so simple, but we rather make it hard."
Welcome to...
Before we start digging, please understand that this is not an indictment or judgment upon everything you've ever done wrong in your life. This isn't some "call to arms" for you to finally man/woman up and do what you've known you should do for the longest. What this is, is an attempt to give you some perspective on how at its most fundamental level, our relationship with the Creator and those around us have the uncanny ability to influence how we live life. This doesn't absolve us from responsibility of our decisions; however, it does challenge us to recognize how we can be involved with (and for) people, without having to (necessarily) do what it is they expect.
So...let's open the book to my life very quickly.
Once upon a time before I had an ex (or many exes for that matter), things were cool. Smiles and laughs all around. Before you know it, the sun seemed to have set for unknown reasons. I was coming to understand who the person opposite me really was. They weren't a bad person, so much as they seemed to be one who wasn't ready for all that this relationship had brought to the both of us and how our cards were now spread out on the table.
If you've never had your heartbroken, experienced a tumultuous breakup, or been with someone who just wasn't ready for "that step"; you don't know what you're missing. On the other hand, perhaps by the grace of God, you've been spared from having to go through the tugging of your heart strings that occurs as a result. Many people still hold on to hurt and pain from their past for too many reasons to list here, including the fear of facing and addressing what actually happened, to wanting to hold on to the "good memories".
One of my relationships was with a young woman who didn't seem to deal with emotional situations well. To be honest, when I think back, at times I wonder what her level of emotional maturity was. And in all honesty, underlying that statement is the question of what was mine, if indeed it existed at all. "Things were bad", would put it mildly. I've never in my life been pushed to such a point where I was filled with rage, anger, and hate all at the same time. Yet, in experiencing the full range of emotions that life offers to us, there was so much to be learned and gleaned from that scenario.
Now, let's back up a little bit and think about how this applies to us as people and more specifically to our relationship with the Creator/universe/humanity.
Ever have a time where things just weren't going well for you and it seemed that all you could do was cry and hope that things would get better? For the believers, do you remember the time(s) when you ran to God because it was the last option (i.e. Your only hope)? What if the current predicament is just the "total sum" of all the decisions we've made up to now? Is it possible that had we taken the time to think things through, we might not be here, in this hole of debt, pity, and despair? When it comes to many of the problems we face as human beings, much of it really is "so simple", yet we rather make it hard.
The verse of reflection for today sums this up fairly well. It points out 3 different vices which we are all too easily "entangled" by, and can readily identify with:
Why do people (outside of those with some mental condition which impairs judgment)...let me be more "factual" here...why do men (and some women have suggested that it's a part of our nature) seem to not decry the "rape" culture, positing the idea that if a woman dresses a certain way, she "deserves" it? More specifically, why is it that we (myself included), prefer women who are scantily clad, don't seem to respect themselves in who they interact with and are all about the party and having fun? For some this may not always be the case, but "on average" most guys wouldn't mind having this type of female around. This doesn't mean we plan of being with her long-term and if it'll satisfy whatever lust we have (of the flesh) at the moment, it'll do. There's a reason why certain eating establishments go for sex-appeal alongside their "tasty" eats. Women aren't excluded, but I'm going to give them a pass this go around.
Seems I've "killed two birds with one stone" on that last one, addressing both the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. If we feel some type of impulse it must be responded too. If there's something I want that I've seen, who's to stop me from getting it all?! When it gets to a point where we are always responding without some sort of "calculated decision", we begin to err on the side of being all too impulsive, which often is hardly ever a good thing. The main reason that there exists so much poverty in the world is the direct correlation between greed, consumption, and waste. We get all that we want, consume what we can, while wasting what we will.
The pride of life, well...I'm too eager of an example to not show how this is at work in my life. Every time I get closer to finishing some great accomplishment, reaching a major benchmark, or overcoming some huge obstacle (e.g. Graduate School), there's always the impulse to say, "I did that!" I mean, technically I did, but what happens when all I do is revel in that accomplishment or what I've spent my money on? Is there a difference between genuinely appreciating what I am able to do and have done versus allowing it to become a way of identifying myself? Accomplishments, achievements, and accolades are great; shouldn't be necessary for a joy filled life. The issue is when we feel as if we're untouchable, the big man (or woman) on campus, number one stunna, and if that's not enough we gotta show errbody (everybody). Why have stuff and have done things if you can't show anything for it, right? Right?! To give this a lil (little) more perspect(ive), around/after the time for graduation I always start "feelin ma'self" just a lil bit and believe no matter what you say, "you can't tell me nothin'!"
After all this has been said, you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with the Creator?!" It's simple really...(c'mon, did you think I'd let up on the use of how "easy" it is).
SN: Beyond our falling prey to those aforementioned "big 3", there's the uncanny ability not to learn from our mistakes that does many of us in (i.e. Buries us or at best begins to dig the hole)
Whether you believe in God, unity and peace among all, or just want a better world for yourself and your kids' kids' kids, there is so much to learn from the habits we display in our relationships.
The lyricist talks about so much:
How do these thoughts/ideas/concepts apply to your life currently or even from relationships in the past? Surely there's some timely truth within the lyrics that all but interrogates you. When it comes to God, in certain instances he is much like the one singing this song, on the end of a relationship that is very back and forth at times. In giving his son to die for us on the cross (as the story is told), he invites us to give of ourselves, not only for Him and His use; for everyone around us. In reality, when you look at the way the world is, how the world "works", and how far we (haven't) come, if there is some-thing that created all of this, how torn they must feel with where we are. Do you think it would be okay with the wars, poverty, greed, consumerism, hatred, etc?
Think on these lines in particular and picture the Creator saying them to us (you):
Sometimes we're in the place of the artist singing the song and other times we are on the receiving end. In some instances we need separation and in others it could be our undoing. There's much more that I could do with this. You know, actually preach to you. I think your mind is turning enough at this point that it's not necessary.
A year ago during prayer I realized: "It could all be so simple..."
GraceNPeace,
liMitz
Please share your thoughts on how life could be simple(r) if we would change some of our habits, decisions, etc. How have you used learning from your mistakes to better your future and the future of those around you?
Links for Consideration(L4C):
This word alone can be the entire entry.
It's kind of like dropping the proverbial bombshell. One of those instances where once it's mentioned, everyone either gets quiet or there's a total uproar. We've all had our share of ups and downs; good, bad, and the ugly.
The only ounce of solace to offer you on this day: "It could all be so simple, but we rather make it hard."
Welcome to...
1 John 2:16 (NLT) #verseOfReflection
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure,
a craving for everything we see,
and pride in our achievements and possessions.
These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
When we last left off, there was a brief foray into the millennial generation and why they seem to not get much slack, while simultaneously being crowned the saviors of (i.e. from) all that is wrong with the world currently. On this week we're going to take a slightly different approach. Everyone can comprehend the topic of relationships (despite our lack/surplus of experience) and all that lies therein. One song that continues to capture a significant amount of what many of us will/have/are going through in its lyrics is Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill.
Ex-Factor (Lauryn Hill) Lyrics
Before we start digging, please understand that this is not an indictment or judgment upon everything you've ever done wrong in your life. This isn't some "call to arms" for you to finally man/woman up and do what you've known you should do for the longest. What this is, is an attempt to give you some perspective on how at its most fundamental level, our relationship with the Creator and those around us have the uncanny ability to influence how we live life. This doesn't absolve us from responsibility of our decisions; however, it does challenge us to recognize how we can be involved with (and for) people, without having to (necessarily) do what it is they expect.
So...let's open the book to my life very quickly.
Once upon a time before I had an ex (or many exes for that matter), things were cool. Smiles and laughs all around. Before you know it, the sun seemed to have set for unknown reasons. I was coming to understand who the person opposite me really was. They weren't a bad person, so much as they seemed to be one who wasn't ready for all that this relationship had brought to the both of us and how our cards were now spread out on the table.
If you've never had your heartbroken, experienced a tumultuous breakup, or been with someone who just wasn't ready for "that step"; you don't know what you're missing. On the other hand, perhaps by the grace of God, you've been spared from having to go through the tugging of your heart strings that occurs as a result. Many people still hold on to hurt and pain from their past for too many reasons to list here, including the fear of facing and addressing what actually happened, to wanting to hold on to the "good memories".
One of my relationships was with a young woman who didn't seem to deal with emotional situations well. To be honest, when I think back, at times I wonder what her level of emotional maturity was. And in all honesty, underlying that statement is the question of what was mine, if indeed it existed at all. "Things were bad", would put it mildly. I've never in my life been pushed to such a point where I was filled with rage, anger, and hate all at the same time. Yet, in experiencing the full range of emotions that life offers to us, there was so much to be learned and gleaned from that scenario.
Now, let's back up a little bit and think about how this applies to us as people and more specifically to our relationship with the Creator/universe/humanity.
The verse of reflection for today sums this up fairly well. It points out 3 different vices which we are all too easily "entangled" by, and can readily identify with:
- Lust of the flesh
- Lust of the eyes
- Pride of life
Why do people (outside of those with some mental condition which impairs judgment)...let me be more "factual" here...why do men (and some women have suggested that it's a part of our nature) seem to not decry the "rape" culture, positing the idea that if a woman dresses a certain way, she "deserves" it? More specifically, why is it that we (myself included), prefer women who are scantily clad, don't seem to respect themselves in who they interact with and are all about the party and having fun? For some this may not always be the case, but "on average" most guys wouldn't mind having this type of female around. This doesn't mean we plan of being with her long-term and if it'll satisfy whatever lust we have (of the flesh) at the moment, it'll do. There's a reason why certain eating establishments go for sex-appeal alongside their "tasty" eats. Women aren't excluded, but I'm going to give them a pass this go around.
Seems I've "killed two birds with one stone" on that last one, addressing both the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. If we feel some type of impulse it must be responded too. If there's something I want that I've seen, who's to stop me from getting it all?! When it gets to a point where we are always responding without some sort of "calculated decision", we begin to err on the side of being all too impulsive, which often is hardly ever a good thing. The main reason that there exists so much poverty in the world is the direct correlation between greed, consumption, and waste. We get all that we want, consume what we can, while wasting what we will.
The pride of life, well...I'm too eager of an example to not show how this is at work in my life. Every time I get closer to finishing some great accomplishment, reaching a major benchmark, or overcoming some huge obstacle (e.g. Graduate School), there's always the impulse to say, "I did that!" I mean, technically I did, but what happens when all I do is revel in that accomplishment or what I've spent my money on? Is there a difference between genuinely appreciating what I am able to do and have done versus allowing it to become a way of identifying myself? Accomplishments, achievements, and accolades are great; shouldn't be necessary for a joy filled life. The issue is when we feel as if we're untouchable, the big man (or woman) on campus, number one stunna, and if that's not enough we gotta show errbody (everybody). Why have stuff and have done things if you can't show anything for it, right? Right?! To give this a lil (little) more perspect(ive), around/after the time for graduation I always start "feelin ma'self" just a lil bit and believe no matter what you say, "you can't tell me nothin'!"
After all this has been said, you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with the Creator?!" It's simple really...(c'mon, did you think I'd let up on the use of how "easy" it is).
SN: Beyond our falling prey to those aforementioned "big 3", there's the uncanny ability not to learn from our mistakes that does many of us in (i.e. Buries us or at best begins to dig the hole)
Whether you believe in God, unity and peace among all, or just want a better world for yourself and your kids' kids' kids, there is so much to learn from the habits we display in our relationships.
The lyricist talks about so much:
- I thought we were good- guess we're not
- We both experience pain/suffering from this
- I should leave but you "act out" for me to stay (personal witness on this one)
- There's no reason for me to go on but we do
- I've given you everything I have; why won't you do the same?!
How do these thoughts/ideas/concepts apply to your life currently or even from relationships in the past? Surely there's some timely truth within the lyrics that all but interrogates you. When it comes to God, in certain instances he is much like the one singing this song, on the end of a relationship that is very back and forth at times. In giving his son to die for us on the cross (as the story is told), he invites us to give of ourselves, not only for Him and His use; for everyone around us. In reality, when you look at the way the world is, how the world "works", and how far we (haven't) come, if there is some-thing that created all of this, how torn they must feel with where we are. Do you think it would be okay with the wars, poverty, greed, consumerism, hatred, etc?
Think on these lines in particular and picture the Creator saying them to us (you):
Is this just a silly game
That forces you to act this way?
Forces you to scream my name
Then pretend that you can't stay
Tell me, who I have to be
To get some reciprocity
No one loves you more than me
And no one ever will
Sometimes we're in the place of the artist singing the song and other times we are on the receiving end. In some instances we need separation and in others it could be our undoing. There's much more that I could do with this. You know, actually preach to you. I think your mind is turning enough at this point that it's not necessary.
 |
| Via et Veritas etVita* |
A year ago during prayer I realized: "It could all be so simple..."
GraceNPeace,
liMitz
Please share your thoughts on how life could be simple(r) if we would change some of our habits, decisions, etc. How have you used learning from your mistakes to better your future and the future of those around you?
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- What mistakes can I learn from today?
- How has the world's view of "life" affected my outlook (e.g. My approach)?
- Why do I live like this (i.e. Is there an X-factor in my life)?
Links for Consideration(L4C):
