| musings- What's the question? |
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Philippians 1:12-16 (The Message)
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."
Focused, persevering... yes. But what about when one feels.. well, as Bilbo Baggins describes it..
"but inside he felt 'thin, sort of stretched ... like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.' "
I could quip that.. God never gives us more bread than our butter can cover.. amusing myself for a minute.. yet knowing that has more truth at it's core than the feeling of being scraped thin.
It is in this frame of mind, that I often feel very disconnected from God, this omnipotent, transcendent God. Yet, today, I find myself more and more comforted by the thinness somehow. That within this thinness, the knowing of God's presence is more tangible.
"There is no condition for forgiveness. But forgiveness could not come to us if we were not asking for it and receiving it. Forgiveness is an answer, the divine answer, to the question implied in our existence. An answer is answer only for him who has asked, who is aware of the question. This awareness cannot be fabricated. It may be in a hidden place in our souls, covered by many strata of righteousness. It may reach our consciousness in certain moments. Or, day by day, it may fill our conscious life as well as its unconscious depths and drive us to the question to which forgiveness is the answer." ~ Paul Tillich, The New Being
"But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. "
"An answer is answer only for him who has asked, who is aware of the question. "
Looking back at the seemingly randomness of what I just wrote, I realize my inner question was "where are you God?" and the answer that just tumbled into my mind is .. immanent. The idea that .. 'such that we could not “know” God without “participating in” God. " Thinness. Not so bad. |
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