In part 1 of this post I explained that living between the ditches isn't some imaginary balance between the two paradoxes. Such a view would be luke-warm—and you know how God likes that (Rev. 3:16). We must embrace God as both knowable and mysterious. (If you're confused by that, read the book!)
A second misconception would be a middle-of-the road kind of get-along, go-along personality. But no! Living between the ditches is full of passion. Listen for the warmth and emotion in the tone of someone who has spent a great deal of time in God's presence. Observe the facial expressions of those lost in the wonder of creation. These are people for whom even the mention of God lights their faces.
Many of us who enjoy driving to work with Christian radios booming find ourselves singing—or at least humming—the great melodies of praise that are the bedrock of their business. "You are holy, God of wonder and majesty." Who could listen to that song with a humdrum ho-hum-ness? Praise songs are almost impossible to hear without moving some body part. They evoke passion.
Approach God with a holy awe and He'll wholly amaze you!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Living Between the Ditches — NOT
As I passed a coworker's desk, she brightened and said, "Living between the ditches!" Having read my book, she was using my "code words" to describe how she was coping with her everyday (and some extraordinary) struggles.
What does it mean to live between the ditches? If you haven't read my book, here's a brief re-cap: The Christian life is often described as a journey. Jesus said we're on a narrow road heading to God's house. Paralleling the road, in my experience, are spiritual ditches. We can easily find ourselves stuck in one or the other of these ditches, or we can bounce between them like the proverbial rubber ball. These ditches represent the extremes of biblical paradoxes.The one I explore in this first book is
What does it mean to live between the ditches? If you haven't read my book, here's a brief re-cap: The Christian life is often described as a journey. Jesus said we're on a narrow road heading to God's house. Paralleling the road, in my experience, are spiritual ditches. We can easily find ourselves stuck in one or the other of these ditches, or we can bounce between them like the proverbial rubber ball. These ditches represent the extremes of biblical paradoxes.The one I explore in this first book is
We can know God. God is mystery.
Both ditches contain truth, and both are true at the same time (a paradox). But if we insist on living out of one truth without considering the other, we forfeit progress on the road to our heavenly home. Living between the ditches represents the balance intended by God for living in the light of His revealed truth.
During the year I've found two interpretations of my key concept which are NOT true.
1. Balance (living between the ditches) doesn't mean a middle ground between the paradoxical truths. Certainly, we're not to live as though we might know some of God and we might not know other parts of Him—sort of half-way knowing Him. ALERT! To know God is to experience a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross provided a bridge between sinful mankind and a holy God. Knowing God through Christ is a sure thing, not 50 percent of a sure thing. We can know God personally in an intimate relationship that's is so rewarding Paul said it was worth joining in His sufferings!
The "ditch" here is settling into a comfortable, chatty relationship with God in your back pocket, so to speak. This characterization—or familiarization—of God reduces Him to a puppet reacting to our string pull. Then when something "bad" happens, we have the "right" to withdraw our support because God didn't come through for us. If you find this thinking far-fetched, check with some of your acquaintances who've stopped coming to church. Chances are they blame God for some misfortune.
When we balance our personal relationship with God with His mystery as creator and sustainer of the universe, life becomes less about us and more about Him. This view takes away our narcissism and replaces it with a holy awe. We worship God, not ourselves; we live for His pleasure, not He for ours. In this mystery, we find fulfillment. Trust abounds in the arms of One so worthy of trust.
Stay tuned for part 2 of LBD—NOT!
During the year I've found two interpretations of my key concept which are NOT true.
1. Balance (living between the ditches) doesn't mean a middle ground between the paradoxical truths. Certainly, we're not to live as though we might know some of God and we might not know other parts of Him—sort of half-way knowing Him. ALERT! To know God is to experience a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross provided a bridge between sinful mankind and a holy God. Knowing God through Christ is a sure thing, not 50 percent of a sure thing. We can know God personally in an intimate relationship that's is so rewarding Paul said it was worth joining in His sufferings!
The "ditch" here is settling into a comfortable, chatty relationship with God in your back pocket, so to speak. This characterization—or familiarization—of God reduces Him to a puppet reacting to our string pull. Then when something "bad" happens, we have the "right" to withdraw our support because God didn't come through for us. If you find this thinking far-fetched, check with some of your acquaintances who've stopped coming to church. Chances are they blame God for some misfortune.
When we balance our personal relationship with God with His mystery as creator and sustainer of the universe, life becomes less about us and more about Him. This view takes away our narcissism and replaces it with a holy awe. We worship God, not ourselves; we live for His pleasure, not He for ours. In this mystery, we find fulfillment. Trust abounds in the arms of One so worthy of trust.
Stay tuned for part 2 of LBD—NOT!
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