I’m trying to understand the First Commandment. Because I’m continually being reminded that I don’t understand it. God tells us to serve no other gods besides Him—to possess no other modes of worship than Him. That’s impossible though? I could name ten gods I’ll worship in the next minute, let alone lifetime. Sometimes they’re more obvious and “golden-calf-like,” but more often they’re more subtle and seeped into my thoughts, expectations, motives, or ego. Saint Augustine said, “Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” And that sounds great theoretically, but what in the world does it mean practically?

This is one of those posts that’s gonna get nowhere close to an answer, let alone an attempted answer really. We could share ten cups of coffee, twenty book exchanges, and twenty-five books we scripted on our own, and I still think we’d be fish out of water. Most of this post relays others’ thoughts on the topic, as I am still floundering. Philippians 2.6-13 could possibly be some of the most profound content in the entire Bible, and I think it’s related to what we’re talking about:

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many…existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—and those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose.

Thomas Keating shares further insights saying: “We are made for happiness and there is nothing wrong in reaching out for it. Unfortunately, most of us are so deprived of happiness that as soon as it comes along, we reach out for it with all our strength and try to hang on for dear life. That is the mistake. The way to receive it is to give it away. If you give everything back to God, you will always be empty, and when you are empty, there is more room for God. The challenge is that human nature isn’t comfortable being empty before God.” Thus…“The innate tendency to hang-on, to possess, is the biggest obstacle to union with God. The reason we are possessive is that we feel separated from God—the ordinary psychological experience of the human condition. This misapprehension is the cause of our efforts to look for happiness down every path that we can possibly envision when actually it is right under our noses. We just don’t know how to perceive it. Since the security that we should have as beings united with God is missing, we reach out to bolster up our fragile self-image with whatever possessions or power symbols we can lay hold of. In returning to God, we take the reverse path, which is to let go of all that we want to possess” (Open Mind, Open Heart, page 88).

That’s all I’ve got. And I really didn’t give you much—maybe I’ll have more personal projections soon. So, to be continued.

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Random.

*I was in a remote area tonight and am certainly no scholar, but know enough to recognize good players in a pick-up game of soccer. Like really good. It made me wonder though, even if the next Pele existed on that field, or Michael Johnson in this district, how would they get recognized (this isn't partial to athletes, either)? And even if they did, how would they talk their way into a Visa? Hundreds here could be incredible assets to any school in America, or anywhere for that matter, and yet they’re landlocked by inaccessible living and a lack of technology.

*When you think they’re exclusive to ballparks and city streets, think again. An African lady with a Bible walked through town today yelling, “Repent and be saved, for the Kingdom is coming.” It was all in Luugandan, but clear enough, especially by others reactions, to know exactly what she was saying. I was really, really saddened, or infuriated, or embarrassed, or something not good, by it. Does anyone actually find such doing attractive? Or more laughably, does anyone actually “get saved” through it?

*Edwin arrived today. He’s been living in jail with his imprisoned mother, who can’t breastfeed due to AIDS (she’s able physically, but would almost undoubtedly leave Edwin to its contraction). Formula was being delivered by a health worker, but inmates would attack violently upon at its arrival. Needless to say, Edwin would never get his hands on the milk and is severely malnourished. He’ll only stay for a few months, until his mother is released.

*A massive lizard just scurried over my feet. And a large frog joined my cold dripper tonight (not shower). One thing I will be relieved of is a divorce from the sight, smell, sound and touch of exotic animals—I should definitely list taste in there, too.