deep idols

, ,

The Narrow Path

, ,

As we lean on the Holy Spirit to help us become the people we are designed to become, we need to be mindful of the easy and accessible paths of this earthly life.  In several instances in the Bible, we are told of the easy paths to destruction.  In fact, there are so many references to the ways in which we can go astray, that I often feel like I don't have a chance at keeping it together.  Jesus went as far as to say, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

What we see is in the Bible is not doom and gloom but rather a reminder that we need the Holy Spirit to take help us "enter by the narrow gate."  We really do not stand a chance on our own.  Left to our human instincts, and our fleshly desires, we will certainly find ourselves heading for the wide gate ... the easy way.  Why is that way so easy?  

,

Easier Said than Done

,

"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  Disheartened by the saying, the man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” "

This message in the book of Mark is powerful.  At first, the message seems to be an Occupy Wall Street style rebuke of the wealthy.  But, the last couple of lines are key.  

The Gentle Slope to Nothing

My son and I recently went to Disney World.  The big topic each day was which rides we would be targeting.  Specifically, my son wanted to know whether the rides had big drops and were super fast ... those he wanted to avoid.  

On the plane ride back from Orlando I was reading C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters, within which he talks about the small sins that take us slowly and quietly away from the people that we are designed to be, towards what Lewis calls "the Nothing".  In Screwtape Letters, Lewis notes:

"...the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

, ,

Can I Get a Little Help?

, ,

Once you really see yourself for how you have been, and see the person you are designed to become, the real action starts!  "Being yourself" is about living what you have come to understand as your designed way of being.  We are meant to be humble, selfless, and giving towards others.  What does this mean?  It means no longer pursuing happiness in the search of what we call the deep idols: (1) power, (2) acceptance from others, (3) comfort, and (4) control.  These deep idols were critical items to many of us, until we came to understand that they are fleeting and ultimately lead to misery.

Living a humble, selfless life is tough stuff.  It is clear to me that I am completely unable to do this on my own.  I need more than a little help ... I need a lot of help to live my life in this way.