“The wisdom of the world is folly with God.”(I Corinthians 3:19) I’m not sure what this verse means, other than how it feels to me, and I’m darn sure no theologian. The Bible has been revealed to me in bits and pieces through the last six decades and I remain mystified at how many people feel they know exactly what parts of it mean, and how often these views vary. I’ve even been told before that an understanding/interpretation I have arrived at is wrong, something I can’t imagine telling a student when she/he interprets a poem or story in a way that presents meaning to her/him. Regardless, I keep on exploring the Bible, which is exactly what I want my students to do with whatever literature they are reading.
Rereading that phrase swerves around in my head and I find myself thinking about events of this past week as my family has tried to coordinate a Christmas dinner gathering in Texas. It turned ugly. Who said what and when exactly, and why it wasn’t said this way or that and what was right or wrong. Accusations flew and judgments were touted, and I watched my own behavior sink to a dismal low in a way I’ve never experienced before with a family member. Confiding my anguish to a Jewish friend she listened lovingly and then asked, “What would Jesus do?” Sometimes I need a surprise response like this to help me stop and reconsider why I’m so clearly stuck in the muck.
Eckhart Tolle says, “Your sense of who you are determines what you perceive as your needs and what matters to you in life – and whatever matters to you will have the power to upset and disturb you. . .You accuse and blame, attack, defend, or justify yourself, and it’s all happening on autopilot. Something is obviously much more important to you now than the inner peace that a moment ago you said was all you wanted. . .”
Well, well, well. Guess I've been thinking a little too much, even feeling like I had a handle of sorts on how I thought things were and just what was right - no doubt obvious folly. Indeed the world has a way of not letting me fool myself for long about what I think really matters or what I think is going on. It looks like I sometimes have to become an absolute fool so I can even approach the wisdom I hope for. And inner peace? It slips away so easily when I start pointing my finger at others.
So what would Jesus do? I’m afraid I can’t second guess that. But I don’t think he would focus on the perceived faults of others, and he certainly didn’t put much stock in acting like a victim. I mean, no matter what was happening in his life, the guy never resorted to ‘woe is me’ behavior and he doesn't come across to me as particularly self-righteous. “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
Oh, all right. I’ve got to let all this go and get off my (high) horse to even go to Texas. Bill looked at me yesterday and said he just hoped I wouldn’t spend too much energy trying to be right. I realized that I couldn’t even refute what he said without doing exactly that, expending energy trying to be right. That man of mine says the darn-dest things. Sort of like Tolle, and even Jesus.
Rereading that phrase swerves around in my head and I find myself thinking about events of this past week as my family has tried to coordinate a Christmas dinner gathering in Texas. It turned ugly. Who said what and when exactly, and why it wasn’t said this way or that and what was right or wrong. Accusations flew and judgments were touted, and I watched my own behavior sink to a dismal low in a way I’ve never experienced before with a family member. Confiding my anguish to a Jewish friend she listened lovingly and then asked, “What would Jesus do?” Sometimes I need a surprise response like this to help me stop and reconsider why I’m so clearly stuck in the muck.
Eckhart Tolle says, “Your sense of who you are determines what you perceive as your needs and what matters to you in life – and whatever matters to you will have the power to upset and disturb you. . .You accuse and blame, attack, defend, or justify yourself, and it’s all happening on autopilot. Something is obviously much more important to you now than the inner peace that a moment ago you said was all you wanted. . .”
Well, well, well. Guess I've been thinking a little too much, even feeling like I had a handle of sorts on how I thought things were and just what was right - no doubt obvious folly. Indeed the world has a way of not letting me fool myself for long about what I think really matters or what I think is going on. It looks like I sometimes have to become an absolute fool so I can even approach the wisdom I hope for. And inner peace? It slips away so easily when I start pointing my finger at others.So what would Jesus do? I’m afraid I can’t second guess that. But I don’t think he would focus on the perceived faults of others, and he certainly didn’t put much stock in acting like a victim. I mean, no matter what was happening in his life, the guy never resorted to ‘woe is me’ behavior and he doesn't come across to me as particularly self-righteous. “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)
Oh, all right. I’ve got to let all this go and get off my (high) horse to even go to Texas. Bill looked at me yesterday and said he just hoped I wouldn’t spend too much energy trying to be right. I realized that I couldn’t even refute what he said without doing exactly that, expending energy trying to be right. That man of mine says the darn-dest things. Sort of like Tolle, and even Jesus.
I read this at least 6 times. Each time thinking about a different part of the story. A couple of things kept coming up. The Eckhart Tolle paragraph is plenty for me to think about for a long time. This paragraph goes a long way in helping me understand better my perceptions and responses to information I receive that affects me or a loved one emotionally.
ReplyDeleteThe Luke 6:37 quote to me means you will not be judged or condemned by God. And you are forgiven by God, but not necessarily by our fellow humans.
Well, darn it, Patricia, for what its worth I think you are a theologian, Texas-style. And from my New Jersey perspective, that means you are one of great proportion. Besides, as we know, Texas is as close to God as any place.
ReplyDeleteI read your piece and my heart hurt a bit only because you just seemed a might too hard on yourself. Whether it was for over-thinking or under-realizing or being a bit too much like an absolute fool (in your own eyes) or not enough like Jesus, you did not grant yourself near the compassion you grant others.
In my book (its not the Bible, but it is still a good book) the mere fact that you are exploring tough situations with courage, care, and concern means that perhaps you deserve a bit of a ride on that horse. Make it as high as you want. The view is more advantageous.
Plus, your willingness to explore the Bible, your sacred family patterns, the cryptic meanings of life (through the lens of the holidays no less), as well as the work and thinking of Jesus means a lot to me. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and the faithfulness you share to consider what it means to be a human...with all its challenges and opportunities to challenge the heavens.
Love, Karla
Well, I have to say, that blog really hit home and has me scratching my head, trying to figure out what would be the best music to listen to while I try to offer some inspirado or just words that may soothe like a nice warm bath with a glass of wine and Van Morrison playing in the background. So while trying to figure out what song to listen to, Imagine by John Lennon came on so the decision was made for me.
ReplyDeleteIts always seemed funny to me how the holidays are supposed to be a time when we open our hearts and homes and enjoy the company of the ones that we love yet it always seems like there is some kind of chaos that ensues. I myself am finding quite a bit of this same chaos as you, and like you I'm perplexed. Sometimes I do find that if you try and try and try to figure things out, you won't. Take a deep breath, look at the mountains, take time to feel the breeze,,,really and truly feel the breeze. After all, you are not seeking an answer to questions, at the base of it, you are seeking comfort in knowing that decisions you made are right. We're never gonna be right all the time, but one thing that can happen all the time, no matter what is that we can learn from each situation and learn how better address something similar that may arise in the future.
After all, remember, we don't fight fire with fire, we fight fire with water! La Onda
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
RS1
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I stumbled upon it in our connectedness. I'm struggling with the season, what it means, how to put it in perspective with a big hole in my heart and when i saw the title "reason for the season" I thought, well let me see what she has to say. God works in mysterious ways. First, I totally didn't even begin to understand what the Corinthians verse meant. Folly? Huh? I kept reading. Families are a funny thing. We love them but we also are always "proving" something even if we don't intend to. Why is it grown adults can quickly reserve to mean kids when under stress or trying to be "right" or "better". I was ugly recently under stress and still haven't forgiven myself. I read the Tolle verse and thought..."that is why SHE is always trying to prove herself". WHACK?!?!? It's about ME, silly. What am I trying to prove? Why am I trying to be "right" be "better". Maybe if I stopped and thought "what WOULD Jesus do?" or "What would Eckhart think of this?" I would find peace and grow. I feel so blessed to read your words. THanks for sharing - you helped me focus on the reason for the season. my heart is more open now and for that I send you my love.
Sherry (aka TamaleWife)
(Todd's wife, Lisa's sis-in-law)