Freshly Tapped Thoughts
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is.” Dan dives in and asks how do we prepare ourselves for being taken off guard? How do we become like Jesus and not just act like Jesus?
When we start talking about spiritual practice, spiritual growth, and the like some folks begin to sweat. They think that this necessarily means that there is something we are “adding” to our salvation. Some folks have a deep and abiding worry that somehow talk about spiritual practice necessarily leads to a works based Christianity.
The reality is that the opposite is true.
“Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best >evidence for what sort of man he is.” – C.S. Lewis
Do you find that quote to be relatively true? I do.
Actually, I not only find it to be true, it cuts me deep. As I think about that line it has me wondering, “How can I become the kind of person that does well when he's taken of guard?”
Dan wraps up his discussion on Romans in Romans 8:18-30. He talks about the reality that we can experience glory now by becoming more like Jesus. When we #LoveWell, it’s a little taste of heaven.
Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name
Dan spends some time unpacking Romans 8:1-17 and its connection to a Romans 12:3-8.
What do you need to be satisfied? What do you need to be content?
Seriously.
What is it?
Do you need a new car? Those clothes? That house? This gadget? That person?
What do you need to be satisfied?
When I was in middle school I was not what you would call, “popular.” I was a home body, I played a non-school sport, and didn't have many friends. Shockingly, middle school was really hard for me. It's not a period of time that I look on with any kind of fondness.
It was cold. The mist hung thick in the air. It was late in a game that was out of hand underneath those Friday night lights. My son, the quarterback, dropped back to pass and after he released the ball a defender crushed him. It was by all means a late hit, one of many that game.
I lost my mind.
To take seasons of quiet and silence are important.
Simply, observe the world around you. Try to set aside your ego and be present.
This is hard.
Really hard.
Over the last week or so, I have been trying to do this. What’s been beautiful about it is that I am seeing more of my tribe and what it is that is broke. I am seeing other tribes and their beauty. I am noticing my neighbor and the love I have for them.
In this too, I’m seeing my own selfishness, greed, and unloving actions.
I am also becoming aware of an inner rage that needs to be dealt with.
The ugly isn’t everything though, I’m seeing in myself some growth toward empathy, compassion, and the ability to let things go.
In the silence, I’m coming to grips with the absolute fact that Growth = Grace + Truth + Time.
The “Time” piece is the hardest. I want growth completed yesterday. I don’t want to wait or be patient. I am reminded that time needs to be given to all, including myself.