Livin' GOOD!

8-6-09

This week of rest has been unlike any other week in our 29 years. Ron says he feels almost like he’s in a hospital, under doctor’s orders. It’s so difficult to suppress the natural desire to work, and at various times, we each believe we must be making a mistake. But then, we realize that we can always do those things we feel driven to do on any weekend, but the chance for this much un-interrupted rest doesn’t come often, so we press on. And the benefits are already coming clear. We’re healing (inside and out), becoming closer than ever, and best of all, seeing truths appear, and come more into focus. Here are more insights that, this week, have been taking better hold on our lives:

God’s life: is it in being good or living good?

Doing good: keeping ritual, giving what is asked, meeting expectations of others, having a desire to do what is right.

Living good (living well): returning to innocence, trust, and optimism that resembles that of children (theirs being the Kingdom, remember?) Savoring every bite, every kiss, every smile that becomes yours, with gratitude and celebration. Living in the moment, letting a benevolent, loving authority in your life handle the questions you cannot answer, and carry the burdens you will never be able to carry alone.

We watched a popular dog trainer the other night on tv. His most challenging pupil: a Chihuahua named “El Diablo,” and aptly so. This poor creature was a rescue off the streets; a vicious, desperately frightened spirit with obviously very little peace in his life. He’d been the victim of someone’s constant bullying, and eventually was so ruined emotionally he’d been abandoned. In his new home, he dominated all (human, canine, or otherwise) who entered his space with intimidation tactics, and would not be calmed, not even by the renowned trainer. He was obviously miserable with being in control, but wouldn’t relinquish that control to anyone. At one point, it seemed hopeless. But the trainer did not give up. He was able to take the dog home with him to live with him, and in a matter of days instead of hours, the transformation did eventually take place. The first thing: re-name him. He was now Sammy (Sammy Davis Junior). And instead of shying from him, the trainer stayed up in his space, displaying authority, yet kindness and affection. If Sammy struck out, he was shown loving discipline consistently, immediately, then followed by more affection. Eventually, Sammy not only calmed down, but began to find his place among the other canine members of his new pack, and began to actually interact and enjoy others. He had found a home. Have you ever felt scared and desperate like El Diablo? Ron & I both have. And we’ve had pretty good lives. But there’s a force out there that would destroy us, and strikes at just the right time in just the right way with tactics of deception that play on our pride and fears, and can put our souls in knots, leaving us a frightened, anxious mess. We sense that the control we have (or think we have) over our lives is tenuous and terrifying, yet we don’t want to relinquish it to anyone. Yet, we instinctively know that there is One to whom we can let it go and He will not hurt us with it.

Here’s the truth: The turning point of our lives is not in deciding to be good like God (in our own strength) so that He’ll accept us (and others will, too), but it comes in the letting go. It comes in relinquishing power and control to that One who can now become that benevolent authority and burden-bearer, while we begin to live a better life. And many flippantly say that they’ve relinquished that authority. They declare that they’ve let go, and given up that control in their lives. But to know whether this is true in one’s life, we must look a little closer. What does it mean to “lay down your life, to die to yourself, to commit your ways unto something or Someone?

How many people do you know (of any faith) who receive bad news with a reaction that is so void of fear that it’s past your understanding?

How many people do you know who simply react differently (even peculiarly) to life’s bullying with a stride and countenance that lifts all around them?

How many people do you know who seem to live a life that isn’t touched by fear, worry, or hurt-who seem to be above offense and understand not to sweat the small stuff, and they see that it’s mostly small stuff?

These people get it. And amazingly, because they travel so light, they can carry the baggage of others. But what’s cool is…they want to. They really want to.It’s not an act, or something they do to “make points.” No- they feel it. They love. They truly love.

Now this is where it gets good. Him living in us. Through us. It can’t be done unless we let go.

We can live “good lives.” But how many of us live good? In living good, we live good lives, but with strength to live them well. The bush burns but isn’t consumed. If we cannot let go and let Him have our worries /fears, hurts/offenses, plans/dreams, like El Diablo, we’ll remain in control, but never at peace, and never become able to love. I want to learn how to love. I want to learn how to rest. I want to live GOOD. I want to give up the notion of living God on my own strength, and learn how to let Him live through me. This is something else we all talk about as though we understand it. I don’t. But I really, really want to. What is is to die to self and live unto HIM?

Guess that’s for another entry….