I've had more time to further consider this notion of evil. The more I've thought about it, the simpler it has become. Evil is a direction as much as an action. Moving away from God is the essence of evil. Be it in thought, word or deed.
My very nature is evil and it is only as I submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that I am able to consider that which is not evil.
For me, and I suspect there are more like me out there, it's amazingly easy to justify my behavior when I measure it against someone else's behavior. But the truth is, when I allow the callousness of my heart to be penetrated, I am chief of sinners. That very recognition places me in an incredible position to receive the purifying work of the heart.
Unless I put myself aside and seek His righteousness - I will only be fooling myself about who I am.
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Now playing: Avalon - In Not Of
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Letting Go
This past weekend my girls and I had the experience of working in our churches booth at the local fair called "Old Settlers." I had the pleasure of filling up hundreds of balloons with helium and tying ribbons on them to pass out the all the small children. It was interesting to see the surprising number of parents and grandparents that would return to the booth to ask for another balloon to calm their hysterical child who had somehow managed to let go of this prized and coveted possession. 
After we had completed our "shift" in the booth, we walked around the fair and when I was out from under the tent, I could see an almost steady stream of bright orange balloon floating up into the heavenlies. I wondered how many of them were sent up intentionally and how many left tears of parting sorrow and groveling adults behind.
I suggest that some of them might have been sent off purposefully because I think that there might actually have been good reasons to let go. And when those reasons are clear and understandable, when the purpose for letting go is considered better than hanging on, then parting might be a sweeter sorrow. For example, a child might understand that they couldn't ride the carnival rides while hanging onto the balloon and with that promise of excitement, let go of the helium filled latex that had provided them with so much fun and satisfaction. This parting might be a sweet sorrow.
This has led me to think about the "letting go" that happens in my life. I'm not talking about brightly colored helium filled latex, but about ideas and thoughts that feed my flesh and distract me from my most fulfilling purpose of glorifying God. How much time do I waste on a dramatic lament? Tears of sorrow staining my cheeks and a heartbroken wail of despair consume me as I watch a precious part of me float away into the distant heavenlies (in my mind, all things return to God for safe keeping or permanent disposal.)
But what if I were to stop wasting my emotional energy on the lament? What if I were to look away from that which I've released and see what else is around me? Would it be possible that I I am free to enjoy more because I'm not burdened by this single thing that kept me tied down and only offered temporary pleasure?
Isn't that really the secret? Learning that those things we hold onto so tightly are often the things that keep us burdened, consumed and in bondage? I want to be free to enjoy it all - I want to take in the entire glory of God! Beware, you might just see an entire balloon launch in my neck of the woods, and if you do, rejoice with me! The parting will be sweet sorrow, but the letting go will provide energy to live free!
After we had completed our "shift" in the booth, we walked around the fair and when I was out from under the tent, I could see an almost steady stream of bright orange balloon floating up into the heavenlies. I wondered how many of them were sent up intentionally and how many left tears of parting sorrow and groveling adults behind.
I suggest that some of them might have been sent off purposefully because I think that there might actually have been good reasons to let go. And when those reasons are clear and understandable, when the purpose for letting go is considered better than hanging on, then parting might be a sweeter sorrow. For example, a child might understand that they couldn't ride the carnival rides while hanging onto the balloon and with that promise of excitement, let go of the helium filled latex that had provided them with so much fun and satisfaction. This parting might be a sweet sorrow.
This has led me to think about the "letting go" that happens in my life. I'm not talking about brightly colored helium filled latex, but about ideas and thoughts that feed my flesh and distract me from my most fulfilling purpose of glorifying God. How much time do I waste on a dramatic lament? Tears of sorrow staining my cheeks and a heartbroken wail of despair consume me as I watch a precious part of me float away into the distant heavenlies (in my mind, all things return to God for safe keeping or permanent disposal.)
But what if I were to stop wasting my emotional energy on the lament? What if I were to look away from that which I've released and see what else is around me? Would it be possible that I I am free to enjoy more because I'm not burdened by this single thing that kept me tied down and only offered temporary pleasure?
Isn't that really the secret? Learning that those things we hold onto so tightly are often the things that keep us burdened, consumed and in bondage? I want to be free to enjoy it all - I want to take in the entire glory of God! Beware, you might just see an entire balloon launch in my neck of the woods, and if you do, rejoice with me! The parting will be sweet sorrow, but the letting go will provide energy to live free!
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