On the Path

There is oil in the water, can you taste it?

At the time I'm writing this there is still oil in the Gulf of Mexico from BP's Deepwater Horizon well, but that isn't the oil or the water I'm talking about.  I'm talking about the water of life, the everyday experience.

There is oil in that water; do you feel it, do you taste it?

The Taint

You've felt it, haven't you?  Something that should be giving you joy doesn't quite satisfy.  Something that should be pleasing you, isn't.  Love that you felt is  now diminishing... or gone.

Or perhaps you have felt it in yourself.  The relationship which should be pure, isn't.  The time you spend with God feels like time all by yourself.  The thing you don't want to do, that is the very thing you do.

Can you doubt that sin permeates everything in this life?  You feel it don't you?

The Relief

But you say, there are things that I do find I enjoy without noticing any taint.  What about those?

Have you ever entered a room where there was a smell and you noticed it right away?  What happens if you are there for a while?  Does the smell seem to fade, except for an occasional whiff?  Or have you ever met a person who themselves smelled but didn't seem to notice it?  Why is that?

I believe that God in his grace gave us senses that are in some aspects relative.  We get used to things and they fade to the background.  It is not until you come from an environment where the air is purer where you notice the difference.  It's when you taste purer water that the taint becomes less palatable.

Can you imagine living in a world of sin where this wasn't the case.  Can you imagine if the taint in this world overwhelmed you every time you did anything?

The Saint's Burden

So this ability to have the taint fade in our conscious is both a blessing and a curse.  It is a blessing because it allows us to function in this world of sin.  It is a curse because the taint can hide in us and keep us from truly experiencing life.

Fortunately, there is a cure, but it is a lifelong regimen and will cause you a lot of pain.  Knowing and following Jesus Christ will give you that pure water which will start to reveal the taint in you and in the world around you.  Living daily in the Word (the Bible) will be that breath of fresh air which will invigorate you and also make you aware of the smell in your life.  The closer you get to Jesus, the more  this taint will become apparent.

This is the start of healing, but it will also reveal fresh pain.  Like the cleaning of a wound, there will be the pain of the infection being revealed and cleaned.  Things that you used to enjoy will no longer be as appealing to you.  You will find that spending time with other believers to be more enjoyable than the activities you used to seek.

But here is the burden part... God calls us in His Scriptures to go back into this world and tell others about Him.  That means that contrary to your body's natural reaction of pulling away from the world to protect yourself, the saint is called to purposely go back into the world while tasting the taint and smelling the smell.  You will no longer be numbed to it, but rather feel it in full.  Your only protection is to be so enveloped in the Word that the Holy Spirit in you becomes a fount of fresh water, bringing His purity to your situation.

Are you ready for this, believer?  It is your calling and you have a duty, but you will be overwhelmed if you go in without the armor of God.  Or worse, you will again become numb and no one will be able to tell the difference between you as one who claims to follow God and those who do not.

So this is your choice, live the comfortable but dissatisfying life of the numbed or accept the painful cure and join the war.  Which will you choose?

As someone who has studied computers and how they work I find many parallels to how God works in this world.  This is only natural as computers have allowed us to create virtual worlds ourselves, albeit imperfectly, and with lots of errors, which the world spends an inordinate amount of time and money fixing and preventing, and making new ones.  But I digress.

One of the things that computers have shown us a better picture of is a concept I call Apparent Reality.

What does that mean?

By Apparent Reality I mean something that for all practical purposes is and can be discussed and referred to as one thing, but which behind the scenes is in reality something different.  This differs from the more common term of Virtual Reality, which usually refers to an environment which is known to be artificial, but which we can interact with in a limited way.  I'm speaking instead of something that, when discussing and interacting with it, it is valid to treat it as one thing, when if one really understood what is going on behind the scenes it would be more technically correct to say it is something else.

Some Examples

Ok, before your eyes glaze over, let's look as some examples which I think might clear up this thought.

Random Numbers

Everyone is familiar with random numbers in some form, a common example being contests or the lottery.  Although some contests still physically pick a winner manually(from the hat as it were), many employ computers to randomly select winners or, in the case of the lottery, winning numbers.  What if I told you, that in reality, computers, when functioning properly, are unable to generate a truly random number.  Would that shake your faith in the lottery and other contests?  Perhaps, but let's explore this.

In technical terms, every process or function a computer does is deterministic.  By this I mean, that if everything is exactly the same on two successive implementations of a program, the result will be exactly the same.  In fact, unexpected apparent randomness in a process would be a bug (and it still wouldn't be actually random, just unexplained, but we won't go into that).

In actuality computers employ Pseudo-Random Number Generators (PNRGs) to simulate randomness.  Without going too much into details, PNRGs are sufficiently complex calculations from which, without knowing the original seed value and the number of times it has been run, one cannot determine the next value generated.

So, with computer generated random numbers, we are able to use them, interact with them and talk about them as if they were random and no one will think of us as ignorant bumpkins.  However they are technically not random and someone who is not very deft at social interaction can argue that point successfully at their next party.

The Sun

Let's now look at an example of Apparent Reality that may be more approachable as it has nothing to do with computers.  I'm speaking about the sun.

It has been explained to us scientifically and mathematically that the earth revolves around the sun.  Anyone in the modern world who has had any scientific education has likely heard of this fact, and there are even children's books on the solar system which impart this information to toddlers as well (I know, I have some).

So, with all of this factual knowledge, how do we, as rational humans, describe the times of day in which the earth's rotation either brings the sun into view or hides it again?  Naturally, we call it the "sunrise" and "sunset".

Have you ever thought about that?  Radio personalities, newspapers, scientists and everyday people refer to something in a way that they know doesn't actually reflect reality.  Not only do they do this, but they see no problem with it.  It is a practical way to describe an Apparent Reality without being ignorant of the actual reality.  For all intents and purposes with which we interact with the sun here on earth, it rises and it sets at certain times of the day.

Theological Ramifications

So, what is the point of all this?  Well I think the scriptures often talk about reality in terms of both Apparent Reality and Actual Reality and these two different views of the world can cause some of the biggest schisms in the christian world.  I, of course, can't discuss them all in this forum without running the risk of losing the few people who made it all the way through my previous examples, so I'll focus on one example to make the larger point.

Sharing the gospel

Based on Matthew 28:19-20 and other verses the Scriptures appear to say that we are called to tell others about the good news of what Christ has done for us.   In fact, Romans 10:14-15 even indicates that our telling others about Christ is necessary for others to come to know him. However some argue, that based on the scripture's teaching regarding God's sovereignty, whether I go and tell others about Jesus will in no way affect the number of people who are saved since those who will believe in him were chosen "before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4).

So, how do we reconcile these apparent differences?  In my mind the concept of Apparent Reality goes a long way in helping us understand this.  In a practical sense, for all intents and purposes, our actions are the means by which people hear or do not hear the gospel.  Therefore it is true to say we must preach the gospel for it to be heard.  However, if we peek behind the curtain so to speak, there is a greater reality, the workings of which we do not fully understand in which those who will chose to follow Christ have already been chosen.

Just as we can confidently refer to a number generated by the computer being random and the sun as rising without being thought of as a fool and as ignorant, we can also refer to our participation in spreading the gospel as being necessary without being thought of as theologically inept.

Exhortation

So let us embrace the fullness of the Scriptures and go forward in our Christian walk without allowing a theological point to keep us from a practical working out of our faith.  Do not let your faith in God's providence keep you from planting that seed or seeking that job or helping that person in need or praying for the recovery of those who are sick.  If your theology keeps you from helping others or providing for your family, then you really should ask yourself whether you are taking the whole counsel of the Scriptures into account.  God may very well provide for you or others in a way you don't expect, but you cannot use one part to justify neglect on another part.  If your respect for the Sabbath keeps you from feeding the hungry, consider strongly whose company you keep.

Why are you a parent?

I don't mean in a practical A led to B and suddenly "Ta Da!" you're a parent sense.  That may very well be the case, but that is only the beginning of a life-long journey.  I'm asking a more philosophical question.  Why are you a parent?

As a father of 5 children, I have thought about this question a lot.  And to be fair, there is a lot wrapped up in this question.  Why do children need parents?  Why am I a parent?  For what purpose do I make the decisions that I do as parenting?  How can I improve my parenting?

To share with you my thoughts on parenting, I'm starting this ongoing series of blogs about Practical Parenting to share some of the convictions which I hold about the great responsibility of parenting and some advice on how to approach many of the challenges.

Today I'll focus on one of the fundamental questions: Why do children need parents?  I won't try to fully answer this question, but rather give some food for thought.

Why do children need parents?

To consider the big picture of why you are a parent it is helpful to dig deeper and try to come to an understanding of why children need parents in the first place.  In fact, if you haven't given if much thought, striving to understand this question will go a long way in helping you make decisions as a parent.  So lets consider some facts.

Children have physical needs

It is an easily discernable fact that children have physical needs which they lack the skill, knowledge or resources to meet themselves.  From food to clothing to shelter to transportation, this fact makes up a larger portion of your duties as a parent while the child is younger.  Even as a child gains the skills and knowledge, they often lack sufficient resources to fully provide for their own needs into their late teens and early twenties.

While this may seem like a purely practical side to parenting, please be aware that whether or not you meet a child's physical needs will often have a bearing on how effectively you can meet a child's intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs.  In fact many discipline issues with our children have actually been mitigated by proper nutrition.  Judge for yourself whether you tend to handle situations better when you are hungry or when you are satisfied.  But that's a topic for another day.

Children have emotional needs

Children are emotional beings from infancy and need not only food and shelter but also comfort and love to thrive.  Throughout childhood, as children emotionally mature, they experience new facets of their emotions that, although adding to the richness of human existence, can be scary.  Having a parent there to comfort and share during this process can help a child keep their balance.  Emotions are also a large factor in discipline in that a child who has an unmet emotional need is more likely to take action to try to meet that need, whether that action is appropriate or not.  Like physical needs, emotion needs do not excuse incorrect behavior, but can help explain it and in understanding it a parent can work with their child to address it and help them control themselves.

Children have intellectual needs

Children in general are naturally curious and want to know about the world around them.  Although many of us delegate the meeting of the majority of a child's intellectual needs to schools and other forums, the primary responsibility still rests on us as parents.  I will discuss more about this responsibility over time, however my main point is that delegated authority does not absolve the one delegating it from the responsibility, it just trusts another to act in ones stead in that task.  It is still a parent's responsibility to make sure that the delegated task is being performed to your standards.

In the interest of full disclosure I will state that my wife and I homeschool our kids, however I understand that this is not practical for many parents, especially in difficult financial times.

Children have spiritual needs

Last, but most certainly not least, children have souls in need of nourishing.  Many of us as parents often feel the least equipped for this task, myself included.  If you are a christian, as I am, you see your own sinfulness and compare it with the eternal nature of the outcome and it is easy to be daunted.  If that were the sum total of the equation, there would be ample reason to fear, however as christians we do things not in our own strength, but in the strength of the one to whom we belong, even Christ.  The outcome of your child's spiritual journey is not in your hands, however, in many actions and discussion during your time with them you will influence them for good or ill.  Take the responsibility seriously, but don't pridefully take on more than your due.

Parenthood: A delegated responsibility

I mentioned delegated responsibility previously in my discussion on a child's intellectual needs.  Just as we sometimes delegate our responsibility to meet our child's needs to others, so too is our responsibility a delegated one.  God has given our children to us for a season to train them and nourish them.  We have a responsibility to do the best we can with what we have and I believe we will be held accountable for what we did with that time.  But there is also a comfort in knowing that through prayer and the scriptures we can draw on the strength of the one who has given this authority to us and can let Him shine through us to our children.  I believe, that as you look back you will find that those times were the best of all.

There was a time in my adult life when I felt like two different men. There was the man who went to work to provide for his growing family and who dealt with the pressures and responsibilities there. And there was the man who spent time with his family but also wanted to write and attend Seminary and enter "ministry". It seemed to me that these two men were on two different tracks.

Balance

As I considered these aspects of my life I unconsciously put these two on a flat line and thus framed my internal discussion in terms of pure give and take. "In order to become better at my job by X amount I need to take X amount from my personal interests/goals/time."

Unfortunately, looking at life this way caused me to always be in tension between the two. I felt like my time in my given career was keeping me from serving the Lord in the "ministry". There were also times in which I felt the needs of family life kept me from being who I wanted to be in business. No matter which way I applied myself, I was left feeling unsatisfied.

Reality?

Fortunately, through the scriptures, godly friends around me and thinkers like Martin Luther, I began to ask the question, is this a true representation of reality? Are these two aspects of our lives to be diametrically opposed to each other? It often seems so since time at work is often time away from the family and closing a business deal has little to do with watching a child's softball game. However,if the picture above were really true, then improving our business dealings would never enrich our family life and one's personal goals would never affect business. That simply isn't the case.

So with a great sigh of relief I began to revise my understanding of the working man's reality. Instead of trying to find balance between two competing agendas I was in actuality, at some level, trying to find completion in two complimentary arenas.

A Better Image

Acknowledging that there is some give and take, but also recognizing that both aspects of my life contribute to who I am I began to see the following is a better image of the two men.

So instead of two separate men duking it out in my soul for my limited time, I instead have two windows in which to see the full picture of myself as a man. Rather than robbing one to pay the other my true goal should be to bring both to the fullness of what they can be. I cannot do less than my best at work and then go on in my personal time and "serve the Lord." Neither can I spend all my time at work to "support the family" but then ignore any time with the family I'm supporting, God and fellow Christians. Either approach will stunt the growth of the true man.

The scripture makes it very clear that all aspects of our lives, whether they are usually considered ministry or not, are to fall subject to the Lord. How can I but do my work with diligence and excellence if every thing I do represents my Lord who gave his life for me? How can I not spend time with the one who gave so much for me?  How can I not spend time with those he has given me to nuture, love and protect?

A Transformation

So rather than seeing my job as something to endure until I can enter "the ministry" the job becomes an aspect of ministry itself. I'm not biding my time, but I am currently engaged in active ministry, by running my business, by loving my family, by supporting my friends.

Maybe the Lord will one day place me into what is typically considered "full-time ministry". If he does, nothing will really change, because I already am.

And if you are a christian, so are you.