Amelia Otherwhere and Other Such Nonsense







But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:18



31 December 2010

Illusions

There were three women who had cloaks of gold. Each one had a broach with a stone upon it in many colors bright and bold. The first lady was called Truth - strong and true. She spoke words of wisdom and stood for what was good. The second lady tall and statuesque, her name was Lovely for so she was. Golden locks of hair spiraled down her formly back, she had a beautiful face held by a long, elegant neck. She thrived on compliments and lived for what was bright and seen. The third lady was call Pursuit and had a decidedly ambitious glow. She hoped for big things and made it her goal to attain wealth and all there was to know. She disdained those who did not share her ambition thinking herself far superior to others.

Yes, three women all in golden cloaks, each one different from the other by what she chose. Which will you choose? Who will you be? What will be your name? Truth, Lovely, or Pursuit...all will lead to pain.

20 December 2010

A Picture of Entitlement

All day long the word "entitlement" has been running through my mind. Is it possible that I have an attitude, a heart of entitlement? I pondered this as I complained about the rain. It's been raining for days and my little apartment is soaking up all that water. The sliding glass door I enter through is so swollen I can hardly pull it open or push it closed. The bulging walls with little pockets of water worry me as mold will grow in those conditions. The porch which has wood that long ago began rotting away and has been eaten by termites also is sinking further and further down towards the garage and alley. This rain has got to stop...and yet it is forested for another 3 days. I am ready to scream - "NO MORE RAIN!" and I would except that there is no place to do it without raising eyelids. And in the midst of all this complaining, it hits me that I am a picture of entitlement.

Yes, I am a true picture of entitlement though at first glance you would never know it. This past year I spent time in 3 developing nations. All three of these countries have rain far worse than this. They have living conditions that make my home look like a mansion. They have disease and starvation at every turn. They don't have clothes or shoes or money to buy food. They live in hovels and make the best of it. This is everyday life of these people...and of countless others around the world. They do not have the luxury to say "NO MORE RAIN!" because they do not believe they are entitled to it. Whereas I, pathetic as it may be, I seem to believe that the weather is about me. It's all about what will best suit my purposes. The funny thing is that if you look at me, entitlement is not a word you would probably think of to describe me. I live simply. I am fairly frugal. I give my money to those in need and various ministries. I work at a church. I have been in seminary. I live on hand-me-downs and drive used cars. I go through my things and give away what I don't need. What a wonderful picture I have just painted of myself. But the truth is, my life has been easy compared to most of the world's population. If my biggest challenge is that it is hard to open and close my door because it is water-logged, I have nothing to complain about.


Now don't get me wrong. That does not discount the hardships that I have gone through. Yes, I have struggled and experienced some very hard and painful things. I cannot compare my life to an other's whose reality is so different than mine. What I can do is have an appreciation for what I have and an understanding of the fact that even though my life is easier in many ways than others, I am in no way, shape, or form entitled to it. God does not owe me anything...not a dry home, a job, nice clothes, a car, sunshine, more food than I can eat, etc... I am not entitled to any of those things. I have done nothing to deserve them. Nothing at all. All I can do is live in profound gratefulness for what I have - for what God has provided for me. And when the rain is falling and the water is dripping down the walls, my door won't open and I can't go for my morning walk or run, that is when I need to remember what life is like for most of the people in the world. That is when I need to get on my knees in thankfulness to the God who has provided for all my needs. That is when I need to close my mouth before I begin to complain.

I am a picture of entitlement. Oh that that picture would be washed away by this rain and in it's place leave the picture of one who dependent on God for His grace and mercy.