A Modest Proposal--At Least Listen

Last week we talked a bit about the fifth commandment--"honor your father and mother."  The command establishes a hierarchy for ancient Israel.  It provides order; and it is the mechanism through the faith is passed on (working from the assumption that one generational is honorable, of course).

The command also invites us to consider others we are called to honor.  Hebrews 13 instructs us to obey and submit to our spiritual leaders.  1 Peter calls us to honor the emperor and our masters, even when we are treated poorly.

I believe that all of this is a little troubling to our modern ears.  We have been trained to believe that we should be free from all authority and tradition.  No doubt, this modern movement has created much good in our world.  There were beliefs that needed to be challenged, superstitions that needed to be set aside and corrupt leaders in need of correction.   Yet, I fear we've taken all of this a little too.

Now, we believe that we can be our own authority in matters of faith and life.  This is part of the struggle some have with church.  They state, I don't want anyone telling me that there might be a better way to live or a better way to believe.  I want to be free to forge my own path.  I want to interpret the Bible on my own.

Again, this stance has its place in some circumstances.  However, as a way of life, it is dangerous.  When we are left to ourselves we become less than our true selves.  As humans we are really good at self-deception.  We can easily paint ourselves with the best colors, glossing over some of our deepest faults.  Without the help of others guiding us, we can remain stuck in ways that hurt us and others.  Furthermore, wisdom is usually passed down from one generation to the next.

Therefore my modest proposal is that we at start by listening well.  Listen carefully to those who have gone before, to those who have lived the life well.  Listen carefully to loving friends and faithful leaders.

Jesus says beware of how you listen:  "Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away."  The point is, those who lean in hungry to learn are those have and receive more; those who fold their arms, roll their eyes and shut their ears--either out of boredom or arrogance--are those who lose what they thought they had.  One is blessed, the other is not.

Another way to put it is to say that if we truly want to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God's son, Jesus Christ, then we will be hungry--hungry to learn, hungry to listen and honor those who are truly honorable.

Let's listen well then, longing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As Smart As A Mule

“Let's start with that most offensive of mule stereotypes, namely that they are stubborn. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to mule expert John Hauer, author of The Natural Superiority of Mules (Skyhorse Publishing) just out in its second edition. As he explains, mules aren't stubborn. They're simply too intelligent to do stupid things. They also have a powerful self-protective streak. Load up a mule with too much weight and it'll refuse to budge. But when you lighten the load to a point the mule deems acceptable, it'll get moving sure enough. Another example: When a mule is exhausted after a long day on the trail, it'll stop. Stubbornness? No. Self-preservation.  By contrast, a horse can be ridden to death . . . “  "(The Misunderstood Mule,” Saturday Evening Post, May 1, 2014)

Perhaps this quotes speaks to us about the wisdom of the Sabbath.  Last Sunday we looked at the fourth command from Exodus 20--the invitation to take a Sabbath.  I suggested the Sabbath is a liberating practice that should shape the way we live in the world.   

One of the things I discovered is the richness of the Sabbath.  The word Sabbath means "to stop."  Accordingly, everyone and everything is supposed to rest in Israel--workers, resident aliens, animals, and even the land (Leviticus 23 & 25).  This resting should shape the way we live.  We cease from our restless anxiety and greed. Then, we honor God with others by holding a "holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:3).  

How else could Israel remember whose they are and who they are?  Put another way, to keep the first three commandments of being rightly related to God and to keep the last five commandments of loving our neighbors well, Israel needed a Sabbath to remind them of their unique call in life.  They needed a weekly break to focus on God.   

What's the bare minimum for us?  I would suggest you consider the following:  First, you should be in church every week, unless you're sick or out of town.  Make gathering with the people of God a priority and a joyous routine.  Where else can you go to hear such wonderful words like love, righteousness, justice, peace, hope and faith?  Secondly, find a way to cease from your everyday activities to be attentive to God and others in an extravagant manner-- i.e., a prayer walk, a dinner with friends, an afternoon of rest and reading. These two times might combine; they might not.  We're not called to rules but to practices that help us grow in Christ.    

Nonetheless, there is too much wisdom in the Sabbath to dismiss it.  The only question remains, are we as smart as a mule?