delight

The Fables of Bipai was the name given during the Middle Ages to a famous collection of Hindu tales full of wit and wisdom. Bipai is compared to Aesop because he used animal fables to instruct. Interestingly, Proverbs in the bible also uses animals to demonstrate this as well. Nonetheless, one of the tales of the two travelers, Ganem and Salem, demonstrates heart and purpose.

These two men were on a journey when they stopped at a stream near some woods to eat and rest. When they went to continue, they discovered a white stone with lettering inscribed with this inscription:

Travelers, we have prepared an excellent banquet for your refreshment, but you must be bold and deserve it before you can obtain it. What you are to do is this: throw yourselves bravely into the stream and swim to the other side. You will find there a lion carved from marble. This statue you must lift upon your shoulders and, with one run, carry to the top of yonder mountain, never heeding the thorns which prick your feet nor the wild beasts that may be lurking in the bushes to devour you. When once you have gained the top of the mountain, you will find yourselves in possession of great happiness.

Ganem was excited when he read those words and was prepared to follow the directions to see if it was true. Salem, on the other hand, had excuses such as, what if the stream is too swift? the lion is too heavy? what if we can’t make it to the top of the mountain? and he wanted no part in the plan.

Ganem then told Salem, “if you won’t go with me, then I’ll go alone” and the two friends parted ways. Immediately, Ganem jumped into the stream encountering a whirlpool, but he swam safely to the other side of the river. After a brief rest, he hoisted the marble lion on his shoulders and ran to the top of the mountain where he stood surprised before the gates of a beautiful city.

Suddenly roars came from inside the lion on his shoulder and as they grew louder, the city began to tremble and the mountains echoed the roar. To Ganem’s amazement, crowds of people with smiling faces poured out of the city gates undaunted by the noise. As they drew nearer, a group of young noblemen, leading a prancing black horse, knelt before Ganem.

“Brave stranger, we beseech thee to put on these regal robes which we are bringing, and, mounted upon this charger, ride back with thy subjects to the city."
Ganem couldn’t believe his ears and asked them to explain this honor. They replied, "Whenever our king dies, we place upon the stone by the river the inscription which you have read. Then we wait patiently until a traveler passes by who is brave enough to undertake the bold venture. Thus we are always assured that our king is a man who is fearless of heart and dauntless of purpose. We crown you to-day as King over our city."

What an honor we have as Christians to have Jesus as our King. The Israelites waited for their Savior and we wait for His return today. We can delight in the fact that he keeps His promises because He delights in us.

The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psam 37: 24

moonbeams

The cow jumped over her. She makes waves. Wolves howl at her. She is the soft light that touches the darkness of the earth, reflecting the Sun’s rays. This chunk of rock, called the moon, becomes a reflector of greater light. Isn’t that the reason for our existence?

The moon, a bit more than one-fourth the size of Earth, is essential for migrating birds and animals, not to mention a navigational beacon for those who are finding their way. The reproductive cycle also coincides with specific phases of the lunar cycle. Our seasons, the tides, the waxing and waning, crescent and full moons demonstrate change. God doesn’t change.

God does not exist for us. Contrary to popular belief that we are the centre of the universe and that the selfcenteredness, self indulgences, selishness of us, needs to understand that we, as humans, exist for God. We were made to shine His light - to reflect Jesus’ characteristics.

The moon doesn’t compete with the Sun. It knows its place in the sky. It doesn’t complain and say, “my position proves God’s absence” but instead shows its reflected light expands God’s purpose. Maybe we would see the world differently if we asked God what He wants of us. Making sense of our place in life and accepting that we are God’s chosen, helps us focus on a God-centred - not I centered - life. How we live our life on this earth and our relationship with Jesus will determine our eternal life. Let Him be your light.

The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
 Your sun will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow will end.
 Then all your people will be righteous
    and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
    the work of my hands,
    for the display of my splendor. Isaiah 60: 19-21

solipsist

Do you know anyone who is extremely self-absorbed and doesn’t think about the perspectives or needs of others? I sure do! Those people are called solipsists. We all have someone in our life who is selfish and narcissistic.

In Greek mythology, Echo falls in love with Narcissus, but Narcissus is not interested. Echo longs for Narcissus until she withers away and only her voice is left. Meanwhile, Narcissus stops for a drink and when he sees his reflection in the water of the pool, he falls hopelessly in love—with himself.

Even though the bible does not use the specific termn narcissism, there are many scriptures that do talk about it. Jesus encountered those people and dealt with them by not giving them time or power. We, as consumers of mass media, have given much of our time, money, power and cravings to social media, Netflix, HBO, Crave and technology.

And that leads us to the rebooted, modern myth of Narcissus:

Narcissus, while walking through a house of a king discovers an enchanted box—flickering with untold realities and enchanting stories. When Narcissus sits down and starts to watch, he quickly falls in love with the oh-so-beautiful people he sees. And while he often vows to get up, he decides that he’ll just finish this episode, this series, this spin-off. And over time he starts to transform, first losing his youth, his beauty, his luster, the spark in his eye. Then as the months go by, he widens, turns palid, and eventually morphs into a large brown tuber, often known as the couch potato, but whose Latin name is Solanum narcissum.

from: Reflecting on the Modern Myth of Narcissus - by Eric Assadourian (May 26, 2021 Gaianism)

And so, when we get transfixed on wanting to be like the images we see at the movies, on television and social media, remember that…

 …each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1: 14-15

rooted

Rejuvenate! Renew! Restore! Rooted! are all words for a New Year. I am rooting for the King of the Universe! Rooted in history and a rich culture from generations past for such a time as this! Rooted in faith that God will see me through any circumstance. Rooted in truth by reading the Word of God. Sounds established, right? Rooted.

I can honestly say that I don’t know all that much about plants. I have them in my home and they stay relatively healthy because I water them once a week. I plant seeds in my little garden and pray they take root so I can glean a harvest in the fall. I do know though that none of the green in my garden or house would survive without a root system.

Years ago I was fascinated with a science film I watched about the underground network of communication between plants. They talk to each other with some of the root systems extending for miles. Susan Simard is a Canadian ecologist who shares that "A forest is much more than what you see.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2yBgIAxYs

And so, what intrigues me is the getting grounded and firmly planted, rooted, established in my faith, in the Word of God and in my future. Jesus tells the parable of the seeds from Matthew 13: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” But the disciples did not understand. Then Jesus explained:

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13: 18-23

Let us pray, we are rooted in our faith ready to produce a crop!

yada

Martin Shaw suggests that, It is an enormous seduction on behalf of the West to suggest that jabbing your pen around in the debris of your pain is enough. It’s not. That’s uninitiated behaviour masquerading as wisdom. Lead is not gold, no matter how many times you shake it at the sun.

Regardless of the West or the East, our world sometimes feels like it’s falling apart and fear, temptation, anger, confusion take the forefront of our culture with people choosing to live as victims rather than victorious individuals.

But overcoming those negative behaviors requires wisdom and knowledge. Not the kind that the world has to offer, but rather the Hebrew Yada which means knowledge. This is more than just head knowledge. It includes relationship; a relationship with the living God through his son Jesus Christ who gave us His Holy Spirit so we can live a victorious and abundant life.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that we can overcome the wiles of the enemy, have the peace of God, and live a life in faith by being prepared and proactive. Christ defeated death. We can wear his armour to help us.

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6: 10-17

Build your faith, apply God’s wisdom to situations, pray and know that God never wastes pain. He is walking with us in our battles. It’s that relationship with Him that matters. Do you have one with Jesus? That’s Yada.

reverence

When was the last time we stood in awe ~ when the presence of God made us literally forget where we were?

Recently I sat in the theatre with others and was mezmorized by the amazing cinematography of Avatar 2 - Way of the Water. The audience was captivated and there were some amazing images on the big screen. And yet, many treat the presence of God with mundance indifference; more captivated by the artificial. Our reverence for God has been replaced with a yawn of familiarity. His consuming fire has been tamed with the flicker of a burning match. There is no passion, heat, no power, blinding light. Does no one understand the power we invoke when we call on the name of the Lord?

Our churches have become apathetic. We should be shouting from the rooftops about the greatness of God! We should be sharing His love! We should be serving the God of the universe with thundering acts of kindness! Singing praises for all He has done!

Job 26 talks about the power God has over our enemies; that He stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing! He ordains our days and even death and destruction are naked in God’s presence. The foundations of heaven tremble and he stills the storms and tames the monsters. And that’s only a whisper! (Verses 6 - 14)

The realm of the dead is naked before God;
    Destruction lies uncovered.
 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
    he suspends the earth over nothing.
 He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
    yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
 He covers the face of the full moon,
    spreading his clouds over it.
 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
    for a boundary between light and darkness.
 The pillars of the heavens quake,
    aghast at his rebuke.
 By his power he churned up the sea;
    by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
 By his breath the skies became fair;
    his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
 And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
    how faint the whisper we hear of him!
    Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

So, as we enter this New Year of great possibilities, let us be consumed by God’s holy power to make changes in ourselves and our world. Stand in awe of His presence. That’s a resolution worth pursuing!