May 19, 2005 1:41 PM
The foolish things
Just as Hebrew men used to wake and give thanks to God that they were not born women, I wake each day and give thanks I'm not a theologian.
Maybe that sounds odd coming from someone whose BA is in philosophy. I used to love to debate and argue and analyze. I used to fancy myself quite the intellectual.
But something about the way God swooped me up and saved me from the horror of a life without him has always made me want to keep it really simple. Simple and focused on him.
Somehow all the other stuff seems like a distraction. I can almost hear Screwtape chuckling about the pains we take to climb the ladder of Christian hierarchy, or rejoicing in the divisions our obsession with theology creates.
When I reflect on Jesus, I note he chose mostly simple, direct, and unpretentious people to be his closest followers. (And when they were pretentious, he certainly let them know, didn't he?) He never used hi-falutin' language or esoteric images, but simple words and the stuff of everyday life to teach. When I think of how he communicated, it was as though he took us by the hands and -- never breaking eye contact -- led us lovingly to whatever new spiritual discoveries he wanted us to make.
And they were always very, very simple, weren't they?
I guess that's why most of all, I love seeing scripture come alive in my daily experience - and the experience of others.
And then there are my sons with Down syndrome, whose impact on their family, friends, and community has proven over and over again that God is not at all impressed with intellect, but with how we humble ourselves to serve him.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -- and the things that are not -- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." (1Corinthians 1:27-28)
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Comments
I hear you. As an adult, I found most of my self-esteem in (what I perceived as) my superior intellect, until I had a child with Down syndrome at age 39. Techtonic plate shift ahead. Over the past seven years, my perception has shifted. My mind has not been given to me as a basis for self-esteem, but to empower me to serve and advocate for those who are not so able to speak for, and defend, themselves. It's obvious. Now. :-)
Posted by: Julana | May 19, 2005 7:45 PM
I'm with you one hundred percent on this one. :)
Posted by: Mel | May 20, 2005 1:53 AM
