I think those are drawing near to heaven who in this life find that they need men less and love men more. And to like more in being loved without being needed. For where agape is there, in some degree, is heaven.
Natural loves can become eternal only insofar as they’ve allowed themselves to be taken into the eternity of agape, and this always involves a sort of death.
What a find! Audio recordings of C.S. Lewis from 1958 reading his own work.
The quotes above come from the final chapter on charity and agape love.
I find joy in these words. Kinship permeates in hearing another believer express the truth of dying to the desire to being needed resulting in more love.
Heaven draws near the more we love and allow ourselves to be loved.
On my walk to the recycle container in my community, it’s not uncommon to see something eye-catching for the first time. Recently, this was the one.
There are other larger clusters of similar design that I’ve wondered over, so this one hadn’t stood out. Now I cannot not see it between cul-de-sacs C and D.
I’ve also been walking through Romans. Explains the eye-catching.
Chapter 11 has always grabbed my attention. It’s Paul’s graphic image of wild branches (representing Gentiles) being “grafted in” to an olive tree (representing the Jews). His message is layered, but it ultimately describes exactly who God’s mercy is for…Everyone.
Interestingly, the next chapter starts with words that indicate Paul’s not done with this thought. This continuation is a well-known 1+1=2. Except, I’m not sure we always see the equation.
Chapter 12 pleads for believers to worship God for his mercy by offering ourselves as “living and holy sacrifices.” No individual, no one people group is better than all the others. In fact, we are one; we are reliant on each other like parts of a body.
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5NLT
Maybe the equation Paul is telling us is more accurate is 1+1=1.
If I knew an dendrologist (confession: I googled that), I’d invite them on a walk to cul-de-sacs C and D. Imagine what other equations there are to be reminded of…or to consider from the Creator’s point of view.
The last time I quick-trimmed the hedge by the drive, it was pretty near impossible to not do the same to my neighbor’s.
The main thing that kept me from intruding was the ridiculousness of the pink bloom.
Guess where my eye goes every time I drive down the cul-de-sac.
Which is always the effect of ridiculousness-you can’t seem to stop looking, maybe because of the sheer awe.
The word ridiculous took on a new meaning for me while listening to a podcast episode last weekend-the same day of the quick-trimming. It wasn’t a direct quote, but the implication by one of the guests was this: “God is ridiculous.”
It may sound like rejection, but that’s not even close to how they used that adjective. The extreme opposite.
Modern slang of ridiculous means overwhelmingly amazing. Like Usain Bolt’s Olympic breakout in 2008 in Beijing. Or the view of the mountain backdrop when I walked out from dinner in April in Maui. Or my grand niece’s reaction every time she eats ice cream.
It’s ridiculous to me that this bush has only two blooms…and one of them belongs to this branch…and it’s lusciously pink…and it’s not resting on the pavement. To be honest, and that no one has trimmed it.
It’s a small example, one of infinite number, of God’s ridiculousness.
His ridiculous care for all the creatures (beetles, squirrels, bunnies, geckos) I pass during my early morning runs.
His ridiculous patience for all the humans he passes…all at once…at all times…without end.
His ridiculous attention to meeting needs before they are even realized.
His ridiculous forgiveness to all who misrepresent his image he copied to create them.
His ridiculous provision for peace at a table set for two in the middle of a battlefield.
Something may be hindering your ability to see it. My instinct is to encourage you to pray about it. That might be too much to ask. If that’s where you find yourself, here’s a prayer you might voice.
God, right now I’m struggling to appreciate you and being amazed by you. Right now, I could use your power, your rest, your peace, your acceptance, your embrace. Truthfully, I’m not really sure what I need. Maybe what I need most is for you to show me something so ridiculous that can only be explained that you provided it. Will you do that for me?
Amaze me. Overwhelm me. Show me your ridiculousness.
John Gregory 