Rejecting the World of Measurement

14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. - 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

Chapter 2 of Rosamunde and Benjamin Zander's book, "The Art of Possibility," describes what they call the "World of Measurement." This is a world where we are constantly measuring our own worth as compared to standards given to us not by God, but by man. It is a world where we feel like we're in constant competition with others. It's the source of most of our angst and depression. How often do we feel sad or disappointed with ourselves, not because we did something wrong, but rather that we didn't reach that standard we had in our mind. 

Our Choir often feels that way. They'll do a perfectly fine piece of music, and then afterwards with say to me, "Well, we weren't that bad today." As if to say, "Despite the multitude of mistakes we so obviously made, the congregation seemed to like it." I find myself reminding them that it's not about doing a perfect performance, but rather, about participating in the making of music for the glory of God.

I had to struggle with this kind of "Stinking Thinking" all of my life. I often find myself obsessing over how well I did in comparison to others. This would lead to a downward spiral of depression which would just ruin my life. Two things that saved me: My return to the church in 2004, and letting go of perfectionism. 

To me, that's what this passage from Corinthians means. I should not be made to feel "less than" simply because I don't fit in with someone else's idea of what a Christian should be. God made me with the talents that I possess, which I can use for the glory of God. And if I stop comparing myself to others, and instead view myself the way God sees me, I see that I am an integral part of His plan for the Universe.
Lord, thank you for reminding me to see myself through Your eyes, not through those that make me feel inadequate. Help me to use my talents to fulfill Your will. In Jesus' name I pray.

"You May Have Heard That You Were Told..."

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:43-45

I've always been interested in the wording of this Passage. In Godspell, the Musical, it is worded: "You may have heard that you were told...." Not "You were told," or, "It is said," but "You have HEARD that it is said."

I'm reminded of what used to be taught in English Classes about primary and secondary sources. A primary source is like a newspaper, the AP feed, or direct witness accounts, where you're getting the information first hand. A Secondary source is like when Sean Hannity writes a book which cites an article in the New York Post. He's not directly reporting it, he's reporting that the Post reported it. The further away from the primary source you get, the LESS reliable the information is.

Much of what people believed about their faith back in 30 A.D. didn't come from the Primary source: God, or a prophet; but through secondary or even tertiary sources: priests, politicians, and others. God's message was somehow twisted since the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. We were no longer practicing what God said to us, as written in the Torah; but rather, we were doing what somebody TOLD us God said to us. Many of these ideas, such as "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy," came not from God, but from man. Jesus came to clarify what God really wants for us. Jesus came to tell us that "man" got it wrong.

Often we find ourselves acting on a pre-conceived notion of how our religion works, based on something a person told somebody that God said to them.

You have heard that it is said... that you must marry someone of your own faith and race.

You have heard that it is said... that anyone who says "Happy Holidays" is anti-Christian.

You have heard that it is said... that you should protest the funerals of soldiers to make your political point about gay marriage.

I used to only follow what I KNOW Jesus said, according to the Gospels. We sometimes call people like that, "Red Letter Christians," as in they follow only the words highlighted in red. I now understand that the Holy Spirit flowed through Paul, James and the authors of the other books as well. Whenever I hear someone making a very religious statement, I check it against what I know from the Bible. I often second guess extreme ideas, especially if they conflict with Jesus' message of peace and love.

Rosamunde and Benjamin Zander, in their book, "The Art of Possibility," encourage readers to be conscious of the fact that we perceive the world according to certain ideas, many of which are false. They also encourage us to "invent" a different scenario that opens us up to more possibilities. I think we, as Christians, need to do the same from time to time. Checking our ideas about God and the world against GOD's plan for the world, as taught to us by Jesus Christ. Often, I find, that when things get confusing and hectic; doing this clarifies everything and makes the solution clear.

Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to clarify what you want from us, and to teach us your will. Help us to filter out the false ideas of the world, and to focus on your view of the world. In Jesus' name we pray.