Author: Pamela Spock (IntimateKingdom.com)

The Angst of Against 

/ Pamela Spock (IntimateKingdom.com) / 13 Comments

Someone posted a simple question on Facebook. It was… “Who are You Voting Against?” I thought it was brilliant.

Following that, I drove by a political sign in front of someone’s house. It read, “VOTE. Anyone But Trump”. (any name can be inserted here)

All this made me think. I have an ex-Muslim friend that once explained to me the nature of religion, using Islam as an example, is based on a negative principle. Originally built on a foundation of being against the teachings of Christianity, this negativity is perpetrated by being inscribed on mosques, “Allah is NOT…”  I don’t know if I am properly explaining my friend’s point, but hopefully you get the gist. It is an attitude not just found in Islam.

We might add:
“The President/Government should NOT…”
“God is NOT…”
“Church is NOT…”
“That person should NOT say that, or do that…”

I have noticed something the last couple years. There is a huge segment of society that is reacting. Reacting in anger. Reacting in disappointment. And reacting in hurt. Deep hurts. It’s like a war going on, even an apocalypse, and it’s perhaps destroying more people’s peace and well-being than all the physical wars put together.

It is evident everywhere in society. Have you noticed? It’s not only in certain minority and other people groups, but also in some of your family members and people that you meet every day.

No wait. It’s likely much closer than that.

“A sad observation I have made. People with a heart wound, going on a head trip.” – Jay Ferris

How subtle this head trip is, and how tragic when the wounding begins in the heart of a child! People getting hurt and disappointed by authority figures who were respected and looked up to, or people who they were close to, who then failed them. A seed quietly grows inside, forming a root that no one knows is bitter at the start. Some say little in response, retreating into a world of relational or spiritual isolation. Others say more, taking on a more proud stance in attention-grabbing soapboxes or causes, including “bible thumping” people from a distance — all in a way that polarizes others, and exonerates themselves.

Enter the expression of Facebook posts. Blogs. Voting Booths. Pulpits. Religious (or non-religious) denominations and practices. Whatever it is, there is an outlet for the bitterness of the human soul to express itself, and what it is against.

I remember being a part of a home group where for many weeks, even months, all we did was talk about what was wrong with organized churches and their beliefs. Finally, a woman visited who broke the negative spirit we were under. On one particular topic she asked, “I know WHAT you believe about this. That much is clear. But WHY do you believe it?” That question set us in a different and better direction after that, than just being “against” stuff.

The disciples of Jesus were against some people, too. One time they heard about some strangers who were doing the same good works that Jesus had them doing.  They tattled it to Jesus, thinking He too would be suspicious of these “non-disciples.” But Jesus had the right heart. He told His disciples:

“Whoever is not against us, is for us.” – Mark 9:40

When it comes down to it, God IS love. He is not Hate. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t hate things (the Bible says He does), but it doesn’t encapsulate God into a negative, but a positive.

I think this is a good thing to keep in mind, not only during this highly charged political season, but in all our dealings.

Most importantly, may it humble and guide the very attitude of our hearts!

Abiding in Love – a Ramble Post

/ Pamela Spock (IntimateKingdom.com) / 2 Comments

after you
The other day I was sitting around the campfire with a friend.  Her son was across from her, talking to someone, and she was watching him.   Then she turned to me and said something beautiful.

“Look at my son.  Isn’t he wonderful?” she beamed.  “I wish everyone in the whole world could see him as I see him.”

I was awestruck at this statement.  Not just because of what it revealed to me about the nature of love.  But also because I knew her son talks about his mother as highly as she does of him.

I can relate to people wanting to see those I love.  There have been, and are, people in my life who I wish others could see the way I do.  Some are misunderstood, and some have weaknesses.  But I see in them beautiful hearts that outshine all that.

It reminds me of something I had written in my journal some time before this.

“Oh Lord, all I want is for people to give thought to you. I want them to see you as I see you, as you are, and how wonderful, wonderful I know you to be.”

You know the amazing thing about this yearning – something I didn’t think of until now? The Lord has this same heart for praising you and me!  Just look at the Song of Songs.  It’s like a battle of compliments, each one eagerly outdoing the other in praise.  He wants to exalt us, with Him, as ONE with Him.  There are many great ways of describing Him and us.  Master-Servant, Father/Mother-Son/Daughter, Friends, Brothers, King-Subject, Shepherd-Sheep, etc.  But there is no picture that captures the essence of Oneness quite like the marriage relationship (and even that falls short of what our Oneness with God really means).

This may be why I find myself discerning everything lately that I read, hear, etc. (or even try to write myself), on whether it has a direct line to this deeper relationship.  There’s a song you may have heard, “It’s all about you Jesus, it’s all about you.”  Well – as spiritual as that sounds (and I’m not saying I even know what the rest of the song says), from that statement alone, it isn’t the full picture.  It’s not necessarily connected to a genuine relationship.

Jay Ferris gave this illustration.  “Imagine a young woman going up to her boyfriend (let’s call him Brad), looking deep into his eyes, and saying, “It’s all about you Brad, it’s all about you.”  Does this sound healthy to you?  Is this the kind of relationship that a good man truly wants?

There’s so much coming out of “Christian” sources, I’ve noticed, that is of a certain flavor.  It comes from an unhealthy dependent relationship (out of fear), rather than a healthy inter-dependant relationship (out of love).  It talks about (and gives a semblance of) worship, God’s word, and lifting up Christ.  Now all of it is not bad of course, but how much of it is disconnected from a real, life-giving relationship?  Sometimes if feels like (to me) a marriage counsellor with a desperate fear of losing his or her own spouse lest they lose credibility in business.  They are afraid to really be themselves, whatever that means to them, and in the moment, rest in their spouse’s love. The words this counsellor speak may sound smart, but it is my opinion they will lack a life-giving quality.  Life – His Life – comes out of being in the abiding center of Love’s exchange.

I am rambling here, and appreciate anyone who has come with me this far.  I am encouraged myself in just writing this out, to be more aware today of my abiding presence in Christ, and Him in me, and Him in YOU, and YOU in Him.

We are in this together.