2013 Reflections
I wonder if anyone would ever be
able to claim on New Year’s Eve that their past year was a 10 out of 10 on a rating
scale. Every year, no matter how good or how bad it was it will have elements
of both ends of the spectrum. But, 2013 definitely provided some excellent highlights
for me, along with some familiar lows.
Let me get the lows out of the way.
My 2012 blog reflected some of my experience with church life from previous
years. Thankfully, my healing has been solid as far as I know to date. However,
our church experienced some big staff shake-ups this year and I would categorically
put this in the “familiar low” rating. I was once again reminded how my
assessment of “the human element” is present everywhere. I’m not referring to
outright sin (Biblically called the Fallen Nature). By “human element” I am
referring to the human condition as “baggage” we all carry in our lives
wherever we go. Baggage such as our personality, fears and dreams, trigger
points in our psyche resulting from past experiences, traits we’ve learned from
our upbringing as well as our cultural environments that have shaped us etc.
I’m learning to account for the
human element much more in myself (of
which I know I can’t see clearly) as well as in others. Basically, I’m less
surprised now and more relaxed to validate its’ presence as quickly as I can whenever
I interact with people. I’m learning to be less reactive and more grace-active
by allowing others to act human…including “spiritual people”. So when
humans in church act human I’m not surprised, even though this element is
largely unacknowledged to exist in “spiritual” church circles. It’s okay; I’m
just saying spirituality and the human element exist at all times (during worship,
preaching, board meetings, budget decisions, voting, etc.) and let’s not
pretend otherwise.
Now that the low is out of the way,
I’m reflecting on a few of the big highs. My dad turned 70 and I turned 50 this
past year so we decided to do something commemorative. We
rode 3,200 miles on our motorcycles from Bellingham, WA to Billings, MT via
scenic roads. Hwy 20 and 2 across the
North through Glacier National Park (which is perhaps the most spectacular
place I think I have ever seen so far). Returning home through Beartooth Pass,
Yellowstone National Park, Hwy 12 through Idaho and the wheat lands of
Washington was truly a dream ride…not to mention as father and son in our older
ages. I’d do that trip again without hesitation!
My “Texas Kids” have moved back to
town this year and this is especially a treat for my wife! Christmas was very
meaningful with everyone together. When my grown kids are under 25 and making
more money than I do at my job I can’t help be very happy for all of us. As a
parent, I’m blessed because they are able to take care of themselves. I don’t
take this for granted!!!
On a more personal note, the last 2
years have changed me. In particular, my world as I have perceived it has been
expanded by leaps and bounds. This has two effects: it both stimulates and
unravels my soul. By soul, I mean the package of my mind, emotions, body and
spirit within me.
Frankly, few people I know “want to
go there” in the subject matters I’ve been researching. I’ve included plenty of
links on my web page as “morsels” in case anyone wants to “go there”. But let
me summarize. Our world as we “know it” is much more wondrous, and darker, than
we realize. The health benefits available to us are wonderful, yet there is a
dark side to the reasons we are suffering as we do and are not provide this
help. The country we live in is wondrous compared to all nations in recorded
history, yet there has always been, and in increasing measure, a very dark side
to many political people and international actions that indicate our country is
responsible. The ancient structures and archeological discoveries on this
planet are truly wondrous, yet in our religious communities we are unwilling to
validate the evidence we are not the only intelligent “beings” to have existed on
and have influenced this planet. Like I said, to “go there” will unravel your
sense of reality as you always thought you knew existed. But, once you are
willing to consider the evidence, with less concern to prove your
perception of reality, you will discover a world around you that is much
more wondrous (and mysterious) than you ever realized. And yes (to my fellow
Christian friends), God becomes bigger than “one’s perceived theological box”
and more wondrous than you even thought you had boxed up in your view of your
world J
I’m not saying I understand.
However, I do understand there’s more going on than most people are willing to
consider and it will shake your perception of God, His Creation, and the
actions of people.
I suspect 2014 will provide even more shaking, wonders and
darkness…which makes the wondrous stuff all the more sweet to contemplate!!!
