Sometimes, sin is something that we do when we are lonely and refuse to rest in our aloneness. We can distract ourselves, somehow, with lust, slander, control, deceit, malice, gluttony – distract ourselves from knowing our position in the universe, our pain, our identities, our hopes. The burden of these things somehow seems too great for us to bear, yet it is a weight which can be carried (must be carried?) only during seasons of solitude. And it graces these seasons with fruitfulness, I think – the fruitfulness of doing some good work, like carrying water or carring wood for the stove. The weight of knowing breeds strength when borne willingly and repeatedly.
...just a few things for you to ponder. Winter is here, and she has brought time for reflection.
Posted by nickles at December 14, 2004 04:14 PMYou are right, Bob. That old saying about "Satan finds more mischief still for idle hands to do" has some truth in it - though it sounds dumb when you say it that way. But boredom is one of the worst places to be.
Posted by: tuggy at December 14, 2004 11:34 PMwow bob. I have just been pondering similarities to your excellently articulated thoughts. I watch the people with much character in the slow times, who do not let boredom and idleness define their in between moments, but are always bearing their load faithfully, or actively taking that time to rest. I admire and aspire to as much...
Well said, Bobbo.
Yeah. I tend to think that boredom with people is better than a full schedule of tasks and responsibilities without others... but that's just my personality coming through, I guess. The funny thing about the way God has chosen to consistently work redemption despite my sin and loneliness is this: before being alone and sinful, I think I took most relationships for granted. However, growing through sanctification has meant recognizing the value of the "incidentals," the relationships that spring up in the fertile soil of the workplace and the neighborhood. Incidental interactions ARE important, no matter what people say. I think living a life full of grace will mean being intentional and incarnational WITHIN the incidental. Hmmmm...
Posted by: bob at December 20, 2004 02:28 PMAlso, see Confession, posted on December 11th.
Posted by: at December 20, 2004 02:34 PM