Fragments

It is the nature of spiritual terms to require interpretation. In this area, everything is symbolic, everything is a sign. The spiritual meaning of a thing is never direct, but always suggestive of some hidden significance. It's function is to present an image to the mind, while implying deeper layers of exploration. The implications of great visions are endless. They stretch out in every direction, like light from a star.

The doctrine of Christ's Atonement may have been best articulated by astronaut Neil Armstrong, when he took his first steps on the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It carries a double affirmation. First, that all mankind shares in the accomplishment of any one man. Second, that when a man attains to a higher level of perfection, the entire species is raised to another level of evolution. Where hangs the first fruit, hangs the promise of spring.

Christ, who is a finite manifestation of an infinite truth, naturally conceals or leaves unopened much more than he discloses of the reality of God. Even the highest mountain peak in the world can only provide the most partial and uncertain inkling of the landscape of the globe. Nonetheless, there is much to be said in favor of the peak, which may well be the fruit and flower of the world. Is it not the form which most powerfully commands and raises up the eye, to a terrible, awesome height?

Whence comes evil? And why is there so much good left undone? We who are wicked have the luxury of asking these questions, and demanding a coherent response from God; while the righteous person is too busy with his Father's work -- healing the sick, visiting the prisoner, caring for the poor. The question of evil does not even occur in the mind of a righteous person, and it is only from the perspective of a righteous person that we may endeavor to understand God. Such a one has married ends and means, faith and works. He lives by faith because he lives by works; not asking with his mind, but answering with his deeds, and his life. Because his actions have become his words, he "says" much that is good, but on evil he is silent. God forbid, that he should cease to accomplish what is right, in order to speculate on the origins of what is wrong; or descend from blessedness, to participate in controversy.

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...," meaning that flesh itself, even stone, would rise up and stand unambiguously for God, if this material realm were ruled by a heavenly spirit. But it is not. This world has laws of its own, which are not God's laws. People will say, "This is dualism," but dualism is not an exotic concoction of Gnostics and metaphysical cranks; it is plainly evident through much of scripture. While we tend to forget this, and interpret the Christian God as having created our world of struggle, suffering, and illusion, the only truly God-created world is Paradise. The rest is our adventure. Our foolish, egocentric tryst with everything. And while we belly-ache about the horrors of this world, not one of us gives up his will to God. We're attached to ourselves and all things. We all prefer the dream. We may blame God for the atrocities our children face, but, ultimately, we cannot deny the fact that they are here, not by His will, but by our own. We keep this world going. I think, against the will of God, we're "putting on the earth", and putting Heaven off.

You don't have to be everything to everyone. You don't have to be 10% of yourself to anyone. You can be all of yourself, to everyone, all of the time. You can be yourself. If somebody doesn't like all of you, they can go. Let them go. Why compromise yourself for their company?

I mustn't be so quick to write people off. Not every cause is lost. Who am I, to decide what a person is capable of; where their potential begins and ends? Who am I, to decide who they are; or when they are finished becoming who they are? Is anybody ever finished? Please, don't let me finish with myself! Offend me, provoke and unsettle me! I would never learn who I am without others to oppose me. It is through them that I become who I am. Yielding in some places, and holding fast in others, I learn what is essential to myself. Only the ego is threatened, and only the ego dies.

Only a dog sits still for a bone;
a man is good for goodness' sake.
It is a kind of insult to one's honor,
to be thanked, or rewarded,
for doing what is right.