Celebrate Now
Can’t believe I haven’t blogged in a while. Nothing like melancholy and boredom to bring me back to writing.
I’ve said this before, I think things are happening to me just so I can write about it. God will put me in the weirdest, most awkward situations, allow me to feel a range of emotions — from happiness to sadness to anger to confusion to rage — just so that I can someday sit down and write about it.
I should be thankful.
I should be thankful that this year has been (and continues to be )a year of changes for me — from work to personal life to travel to my own health — so many things are happening, that I don’t really know what will happen next.
As always, the universe draws me back to my place of comfort — the bookstore. I found a book called “The Zen Commandments” by Dean Sluyter. Google it, it’s an awesome read. From the very first chapter, it will rock you to your core.
“Rest in Openness” he says. Allow the forces of the universe to maneuver you instead of trying (usually with futility) to maneuver it.
“No Appointment, no disappointment.” Don’t set your sights on something that hasn’t happened yet. Even if you’re mind is set on going to Shang-rila this evening for dinner but the boss calls you in for a 7pm meeting, let go of the Shang-rila dinner in your mind. All plans are really just theories until they actually happen.
“Enjoy now”. Don’t think of your life as empty because of the things that you are or have not. (This one is tricky). The dream salary, the dream job, the dream boyfriend — they’re all just in the way of enlightenment. When you learn to love everything that you are/have/can be right now, everything else is gravy.
These words, this book, is fitting at a time when my life is so filled with uncertainty that I might find myself a better or worse person after this year is finished. And everyday, I worry and worry and worry. And hearing these words (words I already know but just need to be reminded of), it’s liberating.
Ok, universe, give it all you got. I’m waiting.
From what I read about what you posted on “The Zen Commandments”, it’s nothing that hasn’t been written before. In fact, I’m sure you’ll find this book I’m reading even more life-changing.
“Rest in Openness?”
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
- Psalm 23
“No Appointment, no disappointment?” “Enjoy now?”
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:25-34
In fact, this book has so much more for you and your family.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
- Psalm 68:5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. - James 1:2-5
God has more in mind for you than for you to just have something to write about. In the midst of your suffering and pain, as well as joy and celebration, He wants you to not just to see Him, but come to Him and surrender all your doubts and uncertainties to Him. He’s not content to observe you from a distance and watch you flinch when trouble comes your way. HE GAVE HIS SON’S LIFE so that you can be free to have an intimate relationship with Him. God loves you THAT much!
How do I know for sure? For that matter, how would YOU know? Read about God in the Bible. It’s the only way to certainly know God. You want Him to be a husband to you? A father to your son? He is all those things and more, for He is the great I AM (Exodus 3:14) who will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Enlightenment?
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12
Arg — September 8, 2009 @ 7:36 pm