There are so many things that I wish I could say today. Cleverness is on the tip of my fingers, yet I am consigned to only quote so simply:
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
“For my own sake?”
“But what about me and my sake?” I argue. So, you’re telling me this has nothing to do with me and what I deserve? This is a preposterous and a scalding grace to be rediscovered with such frequency; to learn I play only the smallest of roles in my own redemption, like a spectator at a gallery, one who has paid a few dollars for admission.
The very nature of judgment seats the judge above the defendant. When I become your judge, I inherently seat myself above you, demonstrating my superior stature. I create distance between me and you. This is, I suppose, what Jesus warned against in the Sermon on the Mount; “With the measure you use it will be measured to you.” The rift you create, is the chasm in which you will live.
But sometimes you have to judge, you do. Something must be said. Isaiah discovered a cure for this, though I am unsure it made him any more approachable. He spoke judgment to his listeners, but he had one caveat that remains unique to Isaiah. He didn’t wear clothes.
Today when you set out to judge one of your neighbors, disrobe and see if your findings still ring true. If they do, go ahead and say them. If the shame of your exposure overwhelms your judgments; keep your mouth shut. Your deliberations will be much shorter and more clear.
Moving on to the “next phase” of rebirth requires movement, some planning but then you just have to start moving. Planning is valuable, but you never foresee real problems until you butt up against them. In order to get past the actual obstacles you must encounter them.
art cred: sash.org.uk
Feeding Five Thousand
Disciples: Um, Jesus, the people have been with us for a long time and they are hungry.
Jesus: Didn’t see that one coming. Why don’t we give them something to eat?
Disciples: But there are so many of them. There must be 5,000 men, and that’s not even counting the women and children.
Normally you hear the from the other side of rebirth. The success story never stops in the doldrums. But there are lowlands. There is knowledge gathering, sometimes incredibly boring knowledge! Trial and error. One must learn new skills and/or adapt to a whole new lifestyle. If you have a family, you have a whole intimate group of people to convince. It is hard to be reborn.
One can only put their best foot forward once. After the good foot is extended, you have to drag along that worthless appendage on the end of your other leg. That, or you could lop it off, but I recommend the former. Think about your worst foot…
Admit to having a Worst Foot (and actually needing it).
Most likely your worst foot is as useful in matriculating from Point A to Point B as your best foot. You probably won’t use it to kick field goals; but in daily operations our weaknesses are as much a part of us as our strengths.
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