365 Days of Praise
The Blind Men and the Elephant
The Blind Men and the Elephant
“The Blind Men and the Elephant” by John Godfrey Saxe is a famous version of the 19th Century poem. The poem begins:
It was six men of Hindustan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
They conclude that the elephant is like a wall, snake, spear, tree, fan or rope, depending upon where they touch. They have a heated debate that does not come to physical violence. But in Saxe’s version, the conflict is never resolved.
Moral:
So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen![i]
Recently, I was reminded of this poem while listening to a discussion about God. Each person used a singular verse and their “feel” of it to make a conclusive generalization. What are some of topics we might want to further study before we adamantly state our position? Consider the following.
Making Moral Judgments: Often I hear people quote Matthew 7:1 and interpret it that we should never judge another person’s behavior. Yet, Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:15-16 that we have an obligation to the Christian who is sinning and which obviously requires we make a judgment. Is perhaps the key that we judge the sin but not the person? “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listen to you, you have won your brother.”
Prayer: Some people use Matthew 6:5 as the basis for their stand against praying in public. However, Matthew 6:5 is about more than the subject of private prayer. It deals with the heart of why we pray. Are we praying to be seen? Or, is our prayer being humbly offered in sincerity to God? The Bible is filled with calls for public prayer, Jesus praying publicly – even from the cross, and Christians praying publicly. “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men,’” Acts 1:15, 24.
Expression of Worship: This needs little explanation except to say that there are many ways worship is expressed in the Bible. Our not being comfortable with how someone else worships doesn’t mean their worship is wrong or less sincere than ours. “David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, …So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet,” 2 Samuel 6:14-15. “She (Hannah) greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard,”
1 Samuel 1:10,15.
Jesus’ Personality: Some people focus on Jesus’ meekness and inclusiveness. While it’s true that God’s gift of salvation is extended to everyone (John 3:16), Jesus says there is only one way to heaven and that is the narrow way through Him. (Matthew 7:13,14; John 14:6) It is true that Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, but He is also God and zealous against those who distort truth and harm others. “He (Jesus) found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;” His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume Me,’” John 2:14-15,17. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems;” Revelation 19:11-12a.
Social Responsibility: We do well to study a variety verses to understand the heart and nature of God. For instance, consider the following two verses in light of each other. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,” Proverbs 25:21. “…If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either,” 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Women’s Roles in the Church: Some churches base their position about women’s roles in the church on 1 Corinthians 14:34. Yet in Acts 2:17-18 Peter referenced the prophet Joel in relation to the occurrence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. “It shall be in the last days, God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.”
Okay, I hope I haven’t made everyone mad at me and caused a stir. That wasn’t my intention. Rather, I believe that as our days become increasingly challenging, it’s more important than ever for us to study the Bible so we can accurately articulate our beliefs not only in the church but in society. I can’t but wonder if we wouldn’t have a more accurate understanding of God if we considered more Scriptures than the ones with which we’re most familiar. I wonder if we shouldn’t consider the whole elephant and the appropriate context for each of our “favorite” verses. Certainly, we can appreciate that if a single animal has so many parts that can be differently interpreted, but are all true in the right context, so God is more complex than we can imagine. The wise person will study and consider the nature of God and His Word in the context of the Bible passage and whole of Scripture; not just the tail, trunk, or side. Here’s to studying! “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Plan A Woman Online Book Club
The Plan A Woman Book Club is now on the above BOOK CLUB link. Thanks for your patience while we worked out the kinks. I’ve copied your comments there, which posted under one link under my name. I’m sorry. That’s the best I could do. But, now we’re set! Please keep your comments coming on the Book Club link rather than here. I love them and appreciate you. They’ll show up as your individual comments from now on.
Can This Count As A Vegetable?
Can this Count as a Vegetable?
I’ve always had an appreciation for my husband’s ability to read, process, and articulate his thoughts. However, as is often the case with intelligent people, sometimes they find the more mundane things of life are well…mundane and therefore give them less attention than they might otherwise give them. For instance, I was amazed when we’d been married for several years and he still called my slip by the wrong name. To this day, he really doesn’t care if the green vegetable on his place is called asparagus or broccoli. Simple jokes sometimes cause his eyes to glaze over because he’s searching for some deeper meaning. I, on the other hand, laugh at something silly while my eyes glaze over at deep, legal conversations.
Recently, Keith and I had just such an episode; in which I realized food groups fell into the category of “no interest” to him. We had both decided to make some adjustments in our eating habits. While dining at a restaurant, Keith leaned across the table and with a roll in his hand, asked, “This could count as a vegetable, couldn’t it? It’s made from grain.”
As much as I would have liked to have scolded him for trying to sneak in a roll, I had to laugh. “Good try!” I replied. “No. It is not a vegetable.”
Perhaps you can relate, if not on the roll/vegetable issue, in another area. Have you ever found yourself wanting to call “sin” something that it’s not? Have you ever wanted to chew on anger toward someone and called it “just thinking”? Have you ever held in your hand something that didn’t belong to you and called it “yours”? Have you perhaps feasted on getting ahead at someone else’s expense and called it “friendly competition”? Have you justified a diet of unkindness, by saying it “grew from what someone did to you?”
Although we may call a sin a pretty name or “socially acceptable,” God isn’t fooled. He knows sin groups just as we know food groups. And, as health care professionals expect us to know food groups and make choices beneficial to our health, God expects us to know sin groups and make choices beneficial to our spirit.
What sin groups should we cautiously avoid according to Exodus 20:1-26?
Elevating people and things above God
Taking God’s name in vain, using it carelessly
Not setting aside a day as holy to the Lord
Not honoring our fathers and mothers
Murder
Adultery
Stealing
Lying
Coveting
We may call our words “stretching the truth,” but God calls them lies. We may justify our sin by saying it grew in a garden of innocence. However, God looks at what’s in our hand, not where it started.
What might God be saying to us? If we’re really serious about our spiritual health, then we shouldn’t hold sin in our hand. If we find it’s already in our hand, we shouldn’t try to justify it. Rather, we should call it what it is and put it down like a fattening roll. We should take hold of all the other options God provides, the choices that are healthy for our spirits.
Until next time, be mindful of what’s in your hand. Don’t take that bite if it’s not going to contribute to the spiritual health for your soul. “Thou shall have no other gods before Me,” Exodus 20:3.
Run, but Don’t Drop the Line
One recent Saturday, it was a beautiful day to be outside. As family and friends gathered, we decided among other things, to fly kites. Three year old Lucy held her kite string tightly. Fascinated with the flying toy, she laughed in glee. Then, her kite took an unexpected nose-dive to the ground. Friends and family encouraged her, “You can do it, Lucy. Try again.”
Tightly gripping the kite’s handle, Lucy once again watched the giant paper triangle soar in the sky. Thrilled, Lucy giggled. However, with the shifting wind, the kite lost air and began to swerve toward the ground. An experienced kite flyer knows to run or tighten the string at such times. Lucy, however, didn’t have a clue what to do. Standing there, she watched it swerve and sway, doomed to fall. Then, Lucy’s aunt called to her, “Run, Lucy! Run!” Blonde, tassel headed Lucy, upon hearing the advice, began running across the lawn. However, as she ran, she dropped the kite handle. The kite and string that once sailed through the cloud graced sky, plunged to the ground.
Today, like Lucy, many believers are running hard. They’ve seen the excitement of what God can do and have joined others in service to Him. Some are running ministries to the poor. Others are running ministries to those suffering natural disasters. Many are running the race God’s set before them as they serve their families, raise children, or provide care to the disabled or ill. However, what happens when those who are running drop the line that connects them to the One they serve?
What line might Christians drop? Our eyes on Jesus, our focus on Him.
The writer to the Hebrews reminded believers of the importance of not only running the race set before us, but of also fixing our eyes on Jesus. Consider his words: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In these verses we’re reminded of the importance of laying aside encumbrances and not being entangled in sin. We’re encouraged to run the race before us. However, we’re also reminded of the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, of keeping our focus on Him, and maintaining our connection with Him.
What are you running around doing these days? Are you like Lucy, running hard? Are you holding tight to the line in the sky? Or, head down, have you lost the “joy before you” because you’ve lost your focus on the One in the heavens?
I have to run now, but I look forward to being back with you soon. In the meantime, don’t drop the line. Keep your eyes and focus on Jesus!
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Bird? Praise!
Copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, February 2010
“Waaa!” Standing on his tip toes and reaching for the door handle, our fifteen month old grandson cried, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Waaa!” In other words, “Would you hurry? I want you to open this door so I can go in the utility room and play with the dog’s food and water.”
“Logan, where are the birds?” I hurriedly responded. Swooping him into my arms, I carried him to the nearest window. “Logan, where are the birds?” I repeated. Silently we both starred out the window. “Birds, where are you?” I called. Walking to another window, we looked out of it, calling, “Birds, birds. Where are you?” Walking to a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh window, we continued our search for birds. Since Logan was old enough to know what a bird was, he’s been intrigued with them. The mere mention of a bird changes his attention from whatever he’s unhappy about to searching the sky for birds. When mommy or daddy leaves, we look for birds. When Poppy leaves for work, we look for birds. When he gets a booboo, we look for birds. When he wants to scale the piano, pull over the lamp, or play in the dog bowl, we look for birds.
Is it easy to always spot a bird? No. Sometimes we decide they must be sleeping, because no birds are in sight. However, we keep looking. We know there are birds somewhere. We’ve seen them before. We know we’ll see them again.
As I’ve pondered Logan’s fascination with birds and how focusing on them has seen him through many a toddler trauma: dropped luvee, separation anxiety, or “no” to the TV remote; it’s reminded me of how my gaze heavenward sees me through many adult anguishes: too much to do, too little time; delayed flights; deadlines; or computer bugs. Gazing heavenward, redirects my mind. It doesn’t alleviate the challenge before me. However, it reminds me that I have someone to whom I can turn in the midst of the challenge. I have a heavenly Father who loves me, is all powerful, and wise.
Directing our thoughts heavenward is more than a healthy habit. It’s a commanded practice; a discipline that benefits us and honors God. Rather than worry, fret, and wring our hands, God tells us to praise Him.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting,” (Psalm 106:1). The Hebrew word for praise means to boast. In other words, when things aren’t going according to plan, I can direct my thoughts to God. I can boast in Him, “Lord, You are a God of all wisdom.” I can pray, “Help me see this situation through Your eyes. Give me Your wisdom for how to handle it.” When I am frustrated, I can redirect my thoughts heavenward. I can look out the window and boast, “God, You are a God of patience.” I can pray, “Fill me with Your patience.”
Through the years it has been my passion to increasingly know my Lord. My heart resounds with Paul’s in wanting to “know Him and the power of His resurrection,” Phil 3:10. The more we intimately “know” God, the more we can boast about Him. The more easily our hearts are redirected to praise Him and look for His provision in our situations.
How good are you at spotting birds? How quickly do you redirect your mind from worry, fear, or unwholesome thoughts to God’s bounty and presence? In whatever situation you face today – closed doors, lost opportunities, or dropped balls, I hope you’ll join me and turn your boast and praise to God, the all sufficient One.
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting,” (Psalm 106:1).