Beyond First Sight

From the book of wisdom we find a discourse on the nature of man to understand the world from his own perspective. He seeks meaning merely through the senses in which he experiences life as a mortal being rather than utilizing the sensations of the heart to find a greater path towards heaven. And with these are born the emotions that plague him and yet deliver him to ultimate freedom.

You see, meaning is derived through free will to lead us to enlightenment or by choice down a road of mistrust, greed, anger and all the other emotional responses inherent in human nature. Why waste time contemplating the choices of other men who for their own reasons go astray when it is our own decision to continue on doing what is right by the goodness of God? True, that we must protect the innocent and guard the righteous through the dispassion of justice, but not to condemn by way of vengeance for the sake of our own upturned happiness.

There is no “eye for an eye” in the law of the Lord, only a challenge to consider what good is gathered from right or the despair and agony of doing wrong to another human being. This brings forth the image of blind justice who does not rely on the seen, rather on the greater good or ill that comes from the deed itself in relation to the whole. The trouble begins when man stays rooted in the things that are mere creature comforts; shelter, food or the gold in which he gathers unto himself. It is through the unselfish act and for the sake of love that man remains in the favor of God almighty. It all comes down to the choice to see beyond first sight and the challenge remains for us to see as God sees, not as we do.

Friends like Us

I have often considered this past year the journey. Being at home and searching for suitable employment has not been an easy road to travel. The hardest days are when I cannot get outside to walk in the park with my dog Buddy. I just let him run to his heart’s content while I use the moment to converse in prayer. Until recently this conversation seemed one sided with me talking to God and not allowing him to speak to me in his own way. He speaks through his creation; wind passing over pine needles, a trickling stream or the smile of a child.

This past week I came across the classic comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes.” The image of Calvin careening down a hillside in a little red wagon with Hobbes sitting in the back reminds me of the relationship between me and God. Life seems to speed out of control some times and unless we take the time to realize help and support is right behind us, it is easy to just crash at the bottom of the hill. Even if it is just the voice of reason poking us in the back side, we can often times miss the opportunity to change our direction or at least choose a softer spot to land below.

Busy schedules, kid’s activities and the hectic life style we live can blind us to the fact that a way through the dark is present in the smallest things. There is always light at the end of the path if we let the voice of our Savior ease us into the next bump in the road. Like Hobbes, we have a source of strength and fellowship that helps us navigate the rough spots and celebrates the smooth ones with us. So, for today, climb aboard the red wagon express and know that there is hope and light and a friend like us to share the journey. For me, the following video is both a tribute to this relationship and a lesson that we are not alone through our journey through life. See him in the stars at night or the blue skies of day. Take care and God bless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E74eEd7xbl0