Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Comfort

The life of Jesus was not a comfortable one by our standards. Americans would give little respect to anyone who emulated Jesus' lifestyle. Hippies may have come close, but were regarded as "free love" and drug induced carefree people. Jesus appeared to be without material possessions, but still had a mother and presumably a home. He spoke of loving one another and even your enemies, which is a message of peace. He spoke of giving to Cesar what is Cesar's, which is a message of cooperation with government. He healed and helped people immediately when they asked, even on the Sabbath- and miraculously raised people from death when he arrived too late. We should all be so lucky as to have Jesus as a friend. But then, he tells us that there will be division in the family if we follow his ways. There will be pain and suffering if we carry his yoke. There will be martyrdom if we take up the cross. Not a good sales pitch. Yet there are millions of followers in every country. Jesus does not promise physical comfort. He promises spiritual peace. He asks us to speak up and shake things up, knowing we will have opposition and risk everything. He does not promise prosperity and material wealth, even though we continue to crave it. He promises heavenly happiness. Does eternal mystery give us incentive to do what is right and honest and helpful to others? Not very often. Altruism is not rare, but it does have its rewards. Christianity was not meant to be comfortable or profitable or peaceful. Christ has power that is incredible and offers us an opportunity to strengthen our initiatives and outcomes when we engage in Christian behavior.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Talents

Use your talents, practice and improve your talents, or bury them. The problem is to recognize your talents and have enough confidence to develop and use them. Everyone has a gift, and we all have the gift of criticizing others and how they use their abilities. I may want to express myself and write creatively, but have a thorn in my side with spelling. How can I then reach others if the focus will always be on my mistakes? This block is self imposed but fortified by the negative comments of others. So, maybe I should develop a different talent. I like to sing and bring joy to people through entertaining them. My vocal ability is limited through hearing impairment and I know I am "pitchy" at times. I like to paint, but it is expensive and my ability there is simplistic at best. I like to garden, but I am overwhelmed by the weeds and biting bugs. I love teaching others, but I do not like to deal with bad manners and unruly behavior. I love sports, but at my current age I don't expect to achieve any victory in competition, so coaching is an option even though my children have grown. Maybe I could teach painting to small groups, and I can sing to the aged and infirmed who no longer can get out. Ah, level of ability and judgement from others should not put a damper on activity. If we have a passion and interest, there is a place to use it. If we can't be the best at something , so what. Even the best have their records broken, or are replaced by the new and younger version. Use your talents. Listen to those who help you discover yourself with their encouragement and wisdom. Talent does increase with practice and it is HARD WORK. Ability does not appear overnight and the results don't last without constant vigilance and perseverance. Love gives us strength and determination to achieve. The point of the result is to be productive in the continuum of life. If we each contribute to the community, that life is rich and full of a peaceful and contented spirit.