Just another bowling ball…

 I was reading beholdthestars blog this evening, and wrote a comment there, and…well, it just started me off, so I will continue it here:

A commonly-used expression in my part of the country (and probably also in yours), in discussions of rights, is “Your rights end at the end of my nose.” I would have more faith in those who use that phrase if they didn’t so often act upon this aphorism as though their rights begin at the end of MY nose.

There’s an old movie that runs every now and then, Sam Elliot in Travis McGee: The Empty Copper Sea. In the midst of the movie, Sam/Travis is sitting at the bar as his voice narrating, says something about how the world is “full of people that are like bowling balls, always looking for someone to knock over.” As he finishes his narrated observation, the bartender gives the waitress a hard time. “Another bowling ball” growls McGee before taking the bartender to task (with suitably gleaming private detective eye). That movie was made in the eighties, the novel it was based on…in (at least) the seventies if not earlier. Apparently there are still a lot of bowling balls in the world.

We each have a great power to do good in the world…and a corresponding power to do great harm, if not great evil. The difference lies within the choices we make, and the obligations we have, and the rights we recognize. And upon never forgetting that we have the power to make those decisions.

Each day we encounter situations in which we can decide to follow the rush of our emotions and say or do something that might be at the least harsh and at the worst, hurtful to those with whom we interact, or to step back and consider a better way to express ourselves, or to act with or upon others. How often do we…do I…jump into our reaction with both big flat feet, and stomp all over the spiritual and psychic health of those with whom we work or live?

In my case, far too often. Oh, I could blame the steroids…with some little truth…but long before I was on immunosuppressants I was a bit…short…with people at times. And all too late, I come to realize it. As I have aged, I’m not sure that I’ve gotten any better about it, but it isn’t through lack of trying.

One thing I have learned through the years is that there’s no such thing as “I can’t help it.” There may be “I can’t control it”, but “I can’t help it” is a no-go. We can always help it; we can always make it better, if only by apologizing sincerely.  And then fulfilling our obligation (thanks, Stars…and Ms. Weil) that our initial callousness has brought upon us.

I guess this is all a part of that “doing unto others”-thing, and all part of that “being part of a community”-thing, that too many of us have forgotten, along with the simple fact that our rights end at the end of our nose, too. Beyond that are our obligations, to be free and to take notice, and care, of others.

Thanks again, Star.

Two Out of Seven

I came across Mike Ratliff’s blog “Possessing the Treasure” today, and walked into the middle of a huge exchange between conservative and liberal Christians, each side trumpeting their own view of what true Christianity is. To those who participated in those discussions, if by some chance you come my way, I have some comments to share. I will open by saying that I do not wish to offend anyone, nor am I taking any sides in your discussion. I have only expressed my view of the nature of the discussion, not my view of anyone’s particular opinions.

So…

Why is it that when people begin discussing faith and politics it always descends to name-calling, self-righteousness and mutual disgust?

“In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also. I will not leave you comfortless, but will come to you.” -John 14

Christ said that there were “many mansions”; He did not say that those mansions would all be painted the same color, nor furnished in the same style.

None of us can know the entire mind of God, so how dare we presume certainty in the arrogance of our own opinions? The men and women closest to Jesus in His years of mission were often confused by His words, because they were mere humans trying to understand the infinite wisdom, mercy and power of Christ. How can we, who must rely only upon that “still quiet voice” and our best but necessarily human and therefore incomplete understanding of God’s Word, be so proud as to berate one another with the ascendency of our own interpretation? Pope Gregory the Great and St Thomas Aquinas listed Pride and Wrath (anger) among the seven sins most deadly to the soul. It is wise to remember that alignment when entering into theological or political debate.

All of us seek assurance of our salvation. Christ assures us in John 14 that where He goes, there we will be also. That is our only assurance, all we need. Why then need we constantly strive among each other for the winning of an argument over who is most right, who is closest to God’s throne? Do we think our righteousness shall gain us heaven? We cannot earn heaven; we may only be gifted with it by the mercy of God.

Christ said that He came in fulfillment of the Commandments. He said that the two greatest commandments were “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

These were not the commandments of Moses; they fulfilled the commandments of Moses. These commandments were not a matter of chapter and verse. These commandments were not the law of the Sadducees, nor the customs and traditions of the Pharisees. These commandments were the living words of Christ, of God. So why do we quibble with each other over trifles of politics and law, and argue over who is more righteous and who is less? Who is right and who is wrong? We are ALL wrong; we are ALL sinners, and never moreso than when we rise in pride and wrath to assert our righteousness, whether that be branded conservative or liberal, Fundamentalist or Secularist.

Righteousness, faith, salvation; these are not part of some spiritual football game; there are no strategies, no cheerleaders, no halftime shows, no crowd to thrill, no final score. We do not push the ball across the goal line; we ARE the ball, and we are carried across the only goal line that matters by the mercy of God. The ball doesn’t coach the team. The ball doesn’t call the play. The ball should take no pride in being taken over the goal line. If it feels at all, it should only feel gratitude that the play is over.

So the next time any of you get into an argument over the relative merits of conservatism and liberalism, or Fundamentalism and Secularism, take care that you forget neither the first nor the second of the most important commandments. You may be right in your opinion…or you may be wrong. Your certainty is salvation through Christ; this is your only certainty. All else is your best judgement. And your judgement, no matter how careful your study, no matter how cleverly you debate, no matter how impressive your biblical quotations nor your sheer intelligence, should always be tempered by the knowledge that you may be wrong. You may only use your best judgement, that which God gave you, and hope that you don’t make too many mistakes along the way. And remember, that if you would lead someone to Christ, you must lead them with love. You cannot drive them with anger, nor with fear. And you need not take pride in your righteousness.

You have not earned it. You cannot earn it. You may only strive for it.