shadowwonder

How can I be haughty towards another when  my own unveiled head, and my voice heard in the assembly 1       are but the least of my wrongs? If I’m going to argue the indisputability of God’s existence, because-he-is- so-real-to-me, how can I call my own sighting (surely impeded by earth’s dark glass 2 ) more accurate than another’s? Is my arrogance (clumsily disguised as humble conviction) any less  an  abomination  than  an other’s misstep? Or all we all others, together predestined and desperate for forgiveness? 1 1 Cor 11 2   I Cor 13:12

Remembering the man whose need was greater than any I’d ever seen. The one whose eyes mine were not brave enough to meet. Remembering how I walked past, not for lack of sympathy but for doubt in my ability to do any real good. Remembering the realization (far after the fact)-- His invitation (my calling): not to cure, or to solve, but (then, today) to pause, to meet eyes, to share what little I do have.

What if I never see the burning bush?   What if I never live on locusts and wild honey, or  travel the Damascus road?   What if my prayers end with more question marks than exclamation points, and my  hopes never become a better-than-I-could-have-imagined-extraordinarily-and-undeniably-God-sized reality? What if the real truth is that I can't do all  things through Christ? What if I just do the next thing? What if that looks like waiting quiet, trying to listen, then getting dressed for the day? What if that looks like many moments of almost-strong, followed by very-flawed follow-throughs? Is there room for me on the narrow road?

Good morning— I hope you got all settled in at home yesterday after our flight.   I know I'm glad to be back! In reflecting on the trip, I'm realizing I wanted to thank you for asking me about my “one drink a day” rule the other day.   Your asking me that question showed an interest in me as a person (which is a kindness you extended).   It also got me to thinking about why I’ve chosen to live by that guideline.   And in my pondering, I’ve realized I didn’t give you a complete answer.    So I thought I'd add a little more to that conversation, if you don’t mind. My decision to limit myself to one drink a day has to do with the reasons we discussed the other day.   But underlying those reasons is my belief in the truth of the Bible.   And one of its guidelines has to do with drinking.   Specifically, it says, “Don’t be drunk with wine.”   While many would interpret that to say, “avoid all a...