English is notorious for wearing out words. We take one short, simple word and load it down with multiple meanings. To be fair, the meanings are frequently connected. However, we end up with very tired words.
Love gets the attention, frequently, for being a tired word. And it should! We use love ALL the time. Where other languages have many words to explain affection, devotion, intention, and admiration, we get lazy and say we "love" something.
But what about the other tired words?
"Fast" is a tired word, I think.
In a culture of competition, we emphasize and celebrate speed. It's important to have the fastest wi-fi on your fastest phone in your fastest car. Our busy lives are "fast", mostly because (I believe) we like them that way!
When something is valuable, we hold "fast" to it. No one can tear away what is held fast. Nearness that implies value. A grip that won't let go for anyone.
My dilemma with English, however, comes with the other definition. To fast. No longer is the focus speed. No longer proximity. Instead, it would seem the opposite is true. To fast is to surrender control. To slow down one's pace. To focus on the essential instead of the urgent. The purpose, according to Christian doctrine, is to dedicate time to prayer and discerning the Father's will.
To give the tired little word a break, I've substituted the following alternatives:
In my over-scheduled day, where life refuses to slow for a second, I find sweet moments of conversation with the Father who made me, the Son who walked here for me, and the Spirit who lives within me. When I give up comforts that I feel are important is when I notice it most: He really loves me. He holds me tightly against His chest for the busy little details were long ago considered irrelevant.
Finally ate a bowl of millet tonight. What a difference a little food can make.
The pieces keep falling together. Almost as if someone planned it that way.
"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; When you see the naked to cover, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."-- Isaiah 58:6-8
Monday, December 5, 2011
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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