Whenever people tell me they don’t believe in a higher power, I say, “Weather?” The weather in Georgia has been so hot for the past couple of weeks that there’s nothing to do but wait it out...
“You can decide for yourself whether this is a story about God bullying a miserable man into divine submission, or a story about God offering a swollen man a life jacket that restores him to his true size. Either way, there is consolation in discovering that you’re not the only scared or hurt creature out there, and that awe is an accessible analgesic for pain.”
I am grateful you offered this insight to us in this way. Thank you.
This is a beautiful reminder that we humans are not omnipotent. I am wondering where I would place myself on the paper...
I believe the best image is of the three uprooted trees leaning against each other--a dogwood against a pine against a poplar. All trees, but distinctly different relying on each other! I believe there is a sermon here!
I can't tell you how perfectly timed this was! A microburst hit my little woods just behind my house during a storm Sunday night. The little meditative walking trails I carefully tend each spring and fall will require rerouting in several places. It twisted the tops out of some White oaks and tossed two 70 ft high Red oaks to the ground, root balls exposed vertical to the Earth. I was getting the sense to just leave most of it as it is. Your words were exactly what I needed. Thank you!
Lately I see my self as a speck in the bottom lower right of the page. A closer look reveals I am a seed needing to burrow down into the nutrients surrounding me to grow into who God created me to be…so I in turn can also give a seed as has been given.
I love this essay and all the wisdom it offers (gaining or earning wisdom often hurts, but in a “no pain, no gain” manner). This sentence really stands out for me:
“…every last one of them had located themselves at the center of the universe.”
We, as an entire society, need to pay attention to the times we put ourselves at the center of the universe, and your phrase “locate themselves” is an important part of this awareness, because it’s the only way anyone ever gets there.
Twice recently I have seen two ministers speak at funerals, one of his wife's, one of a dear friend. Both men were celebrated in their prime. One was among the most famous preachers in the country. But age has diminished their capacities. Frail, halting, needing assistance to walk to the pulpits, It was yet another reminder of how small we are, how brief our time, how tenuous our hold on life, health, strength and vitality. It is humbling to be sure. We are dust.
There are days when I think God must surely be a bully. And others when awe and wonder strike.
So much in life is about perspective. I’m grateful you shared yours and that sometimes awe, and the wisdom that might trickle into us from that, still happens.
This is wonderful. Although it hurts in the moment, I appreciate the perspective gained when I come into realization of my part and the grand order, of which I can only perceive a microcosm.
Bless you, dear Woman. There is a proverb from Judaism, "May the dust of your Rabbi cover you.". I am pleased to be covered in BBT dust!
Your treatment of Job's story recalled a comment a Hospice patient under my spiritual care once said, "Humility means you are not more than One, but not less than One either." Thank you, Friend.
"You can decide for yourself whether this is a story about God bullying a miserable man into divine submission, or a story about God offering a swollen man a life jacket that restores him to his true size." Love this. Thanks!
The sooner and more we can realize that it’s not nature and us humans, two different divinely created entities, but us in awesomely various manifestations, then the possibility for perfect collaboration is greatly enhanced. But take care: sometimes the incidental impact of the biggest kid on the block, although she intends to be a good and caring neighbor, can leave a mark! We in Oklahoma, where Wind comes sweeping down the plain in various very impactful forms, have learned fairly well how to live with her spiritedness. And even though we don’t always like it, we still shake our heads in wonder-full awe.
“You can decide for yourself whether this is a story about God bullying a miserable man into divine submission, or a story about God offering a swollen man a life jacket that restores him to his true size. Either way, there is consolation in discovering that you’re not the only scared or hurt creature out there, and that awe is an accessible analgesic for pain.”
I am grateful you offered this insight to us in this way. Thank you.
This part ❤️❤️❤️
Ditto
This is a beautiful reminder that we humans are not omnipotent. I am wondering where I would place myself on the paper...
I believe the best image is of the three uprooted trees leaning against each other--a dogwood against a pine against a poplar. All trees, but distinctly different relying on each other! I believe there is a sermon here!
I can't tell you how perfectly timed this was! A microburst hit my little woods just behind my house during a storm Sunday night. The little meditative walking trails I carefully tend each spring and fall will require rerouting in several places. It twisted the tops out of some White oaks and tossed two 70 ft high Red oaks to the ground, root balls exposed vertical to the Earth. I was getting the sense to just leave most of it as it is. Your words were exactly what I needed. Thank you!
What a relief to come down off our high horses and play in the dirt with the other critters. Thanks 🙏
😆 yes! Love how you worded this.
Lately I see my self as a speck in the bottom lower right of the page. A closer look reveals I am a seed needing to burrow down into the nutrients surrounding me to grow into who God created me to be…so I in turn can also give a seed as has been given.
I love this essay and all the wisdom it offers (gaining or earning wisdom often hurts, but in a “no pain, no gain” manner). This sentence really stands out for me:
“…every last one of them had located themselves at the center of the universe.”
We, as an entire society, need to pay attention to the times we put ourselves at the center of the universe, and your phrase “locate themselves” is an important part of this awareness, because it’s the only way anyone ever gets there.
Right-sizing humans...
keystone species we are not.
Wild winds, waves, wiser?
Twice recently I have seen two ministers speak at funerals, one of his wife's, one of a dear friend. Both men were celebrated in their prime. One was among the most famous preachers in the country. But age has diminished their capacities. Frail, halting, needing assistance to walk to the pulpits, It was yet another reminder of how small we are, how brief our time, how tenuous our hold on life, health, strength and vitality. It is humbling to be sure. We are dust.
There are days when I think God must surely be a bully. And others when awe and wonder strike.
So much in life is about perspective. I’m grateful you shared yours and that sometimes awe, and the wisdom that might trickle into us from that, still happens.
This is wonderful. Although it hurts in the moment, I appreciate the perspective gained when I come into realization of my part and the grand order, of which I can only perceive a microcosm.
Impeccable timing! The Bible Project daily plan is in Job now. Your lens is helpful! Thank you.
Thank you for the reminder.
"Thy ocean is so great, and my boat is so small!"
Bless you, dear Woman. There is a proverb from Judaism, "May the dust of your Rabbi cover you.". I am pleased to be covered in BBT dust!
Your treatment of Job's story recalled a comment a Hospice patient under my spiritual care once said, "Humility means you are not more than One, but not less than One either." Thank you, Friend.
"You can decide for yourself whether this is a story about God bullying a miserable man into divine submission, or a story about God offering a swollen man a life jacket that restores him to his true size." Love this. Thanks!
The sooner and more we can realize that it’s not nature and us humans, two different divinely created entities, but us in awesomely various manifestations, then the possibility for perfect collaboration is greatly enhanced. But take care: sometimes the incidental impact of the biggest kid on the block, although she intends to be a good and caring neighbor, can leave a mark! We in Oklahoma, where Wind comes sweeping down the plain in various very impactful forms, have learned fairly well how to live with her spiritedness. And even though we don’t always like it, we still shake our heads in wonder-full awe.