The West has finally achieved the rights of man . . . but man's sense of responsibility to God and society has grown dimmer and dimmer.Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn quoted by Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, 173.
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn on rights trumping responsibility
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
stepping aside
If you're like me, you like to see everything through to the very end, at least in theory, even if practice can get a little rough and tumble. The problem is that only God can and does see everything through to the end. We as humans, even in Jesus, have our limitations.
Sometimes we do well to step aside or no longer engage in something, maybe because we're either not approaching it entirely correctly and wisely, and/or maybe just because our part in this work of God is finished.
I ran into something like that. I felt like a failure in parting from it, and I don't pretend I was flawless in it. But for my own peace, and even for the best of the other involved, I believe it was an appropriate decision on my part.
God's work in this, including in my own life in relation to it, goes on. God will finish it, and see it through. Of course how we humans respond in all of this is in a true sense up to us. We can't just say that God will do it, and that we have no responsibility in it, because we surely do. But apart from God there would be no hope for any of us, no hope to keep growing together into the likeness of the one to and in whom we are joined.
Does this prompt any thoughts or sharing from your own life?
Sometimes we do well to step aside or no longer engage in something, maybe because we're either not approaching it entirely correctly and wisely, and/or maybe just because our part in this work of God is finished.
I ran into something like that. I felt like a failure in parting from it, and I don't pretend I was flawless in it. But for my own peace, and even for the best of the other involved, I believe it was an appropriate decision on my part.
God's work in this, including in my own life in relation to it, goes on. God will finish it, and see it through. Of course how we humans respond in all of this is in a true sense up to us. We can't just say that God will do it, and that we have no responsibility in it, because we surely do. But apart from God there would be no hope for any of us, no hope to keep growing together into the likeness of the one to and in whom we are joined.
Does this prompt any thoughts or sharing from your own life?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
"Clefts of the Rock - Responsibility" from L.L. Barkat
from Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
L.L. reminisces about her days spent with her grandmother whose abode was stocked with all kinds of good things from her fields. What was enjoyed in cherry (my favorite) pies along with other good things came from hard work and sacrifice. Her privileged outlay resulted in a responsible, sacrificial effort which benefited others.
L.L. points out how each of us has a privilege like a king, be it ever so small. We can either be responsible in it, or not: "the hardworking shepherd...or...the bedbound royal." (p 89) We can follow the "Sabbath-Jesus" (p 93), so that out of our disciplined by faith emptiness and want can come God's blessing and plenty.
We need to remember that there are indeed, consequences for being irresponsible. If we choose to be lax we can lose out eternally, as well as in this life. But if we take seriously our responsibility that comes with privilege, and sacrificially empty ourselves, we can bless others, and ourselves be blessed both now and eternally.
This is a most interesting chapter to me, I don't say better than the others, because this is an unusual book, but L.L. approaches this subject in a way I've never seen before. Like the entire book, it is best read slowly, and especially so for me with this chapter. The chapters, by the way, are not long. Not a hard read, in fact you'll want to keep reading. But does engage my thinking and challenges my life.
Too often I can think such and such is coming to me, or that I need this or that. In other words I can take things for granted or live with a sense of entitlement. Not like Jesus. Also I can easily fail to see many times that with each privilege of life, there comes responsibility. This is true in all things, and particularly in relationships, starting at home.
One example is how easily I can forget that a good relationship is not just what I should have with God and others, but to have and maintain that, it must be cultivated. I can't just expect to have a good relationship with my wife, without in love working at that with her. Listening to her. Not taking offense at a perceived (and often misunderstood) slight. Listening attentively to some things which may not interest me. Spending time together and perhaps doing what she enjoys doing, when I'd rather be reading or doing something else.
Do we persevere in God's way, empty at times and in a sense, all the time, that we might know God's fullness, blessing and provision? Or do we think it's all about us and insist on having what we want and having that now, thinking it's our right and privilege- without accepting the responsibility that comes with it?
L.L. reminisces about her days spent with her grandmother whose abode was stocked with all kinds of good things from her fields. What was enjoyed in cherry (my favorite) pies along with other good things came from hard work and sacrifice. Her privileged outlay resulted in a responsible, sacrificial effort which benefited others.
L.L. points out how each of us has a privilege like a king, be it ever so small. We can either be responsible in it, or not: "the hardworking shepherd...or...the bedbound royal." (p 89) We can follow the "Sabbath-Jesus" (p 93), so that out of our disciplined by faith emptiness and want can come God's blessing and plenty.
We need to remember that there are indeed, consequences for being irresponsible. If we choose to be lax we can lose out eternally, as well as in this life. But if we take seriously our responsibility that comes with privilege, and sacrificially empty ourselves, we can bless others, and ourselves be blessed both now and eternally.
This is a most interesting chapter to me, I don't say better than the others, because this is an unusual book, but L.L. approaches this subject in a way I've never seen before. Like the entire book, it is best read slowly, and especially so for me with this chapter. The chapters, by the way, are not long. Not a hard read, in fact you'll want to keep reading. But does engage my thinking and challenges my life.
Too often I can think such and such is coming to me, or that I need this or that. In other words I can take things for granted or live with a sense of entitlement. Not like Jesus. Also I can easily fail to see many times that with each privilege of life, there comes responsibility. This is true in all things, and particularly in relationships, starting at home.
One example is how easily I can forget that a good relationship is not just what I should have with God and others, but to have and maintain that, it must be cultivated. I can't just expect to have a good relationship with my wife, without in love working at that with her. Listening to her. Not taking offense at a perceived (and often misunderstood) slight. Listening attentively to some things which may not interest me. Spending time together and perhaps doing what she enjoys doing, when I'd rather be reading or doing something else.
Do we persevere in God's way, empty at times and in a sense, all the time, that we might know God's fullness, blessing and provision? Or do we think it's all about us and insist on having what we want and having that now, thinking it's our right and privilege- without accepting the responsibility that comes with it?
Great "discussion questions" for this chapter in the back of the book and an excellent chapter for me to ponder. I tried to be more sparse in hopes that it will stimulate you to read. You'll have some interesting surprises as you read this chapter. And true of the entire book. It really does speak to me of "finding grace in hard and hidden places." Right where I, and I think we all live.
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
9. Indiana Jones - fear
10. Old Stone Church - love
11. Goldworthy's Wall - sacrifice
Next week: Olive Press - gratitude
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