Once More Unto the Breach

There is always another corner to turn. There is always another surprise waiting. No one can know what tomorrow will bring. But that's part of the fascination, isn't it?...not knowing? There are always new people to meet and another new place to explore. Life is full of newness as God unfolds time quietly in front of us. Discouragement happens, and like much of life we wonder how long the storm may last and whether if tomorrow there will be sun again. Yet somehow there always is. New circumstances, and even new ways of looking at the old in a new light.

What then do we do when we turn a corner and find a challange blocking our path? If it were a blessing we would embrace it. Ought we not do the same with a challange? Too often the challange seems impossible, insurmountable, or just plain hopeless. But God would not have brought us around this particular corner unless He had a reason. He knew the challange was waiting for us even before we could see it ahead, and He chose to lead us this way anyway, the same way He has lead us past countless blessings and other trials in the past. And has He not been a faithful Guide in the past?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
- Hebrews 10:23

Yet somehow that all gets forgoten with this new road block before us. "This is different," we say. Or, "God will surely lead me down a detore". Perhaps. But should we really be looking for that detore before attempting to surmount the challange? Often detores do not simply lead us away from a particular challange, but away from past blessings as well. We forget that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Too often we look for the most effortless fix. But have we not also considered that a detore may lead to a more challanging trial still? There is always another corner to turn. There is always another surprise waiting. Why not embrace the challange before us now?

This is not done in our own strength, but through Christ. And sometimes he does lead us down detores, but the chief difference is that He leads us, and not we who run. Sometimes this means repeatedly going into each day as though we walk against an endless, pounding storm. But God will renew our strength. We need to simply remember who is our Guide, and who's hand leads us along life's journey. Let us not run from it, but learn how to embrace it.

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. - Count of Monte Cristo (film)

Selah

I tend to get reflective in the Autumn. It's the small things that seem to matter most in life. The memories of quiet times, happy times, moments of laughter and of good company. A smell perhaps or a sound. Even mistakes made that can be laughed about later. How often is it the grand schemes and plans that matter the most in the end? We get so caught up in planning our lives that we pass by or forget what truly matters. It helps to remember, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Simply reflecting on God's goodness and grace and blessing should be enough to quiet us.

Est Flebile

Once large and impressive cathedrals were built by the strong hands of many skilled workers. Designers conspired and workers built to provide the people a place to worship and to construct a structure that was worthy of the God they worshipped. Glasscutters constructed magnificent stained glass windows and the steeples of the buildings reached to the heavens above. Artwork was constructed and painted by some of the best artists the world has ever known. They poured their lives and skill into their work to bring honor to God.

Within the halls of these great cathedrals once rang the beautiful music of Latin song and chants, sung for the honor and glory of God above. The music was crafted for its needed skill in singing, often a capella. It echoed in the massive stone halls with a perfect pitch and strong sound, penetrating every dark corner. The feeling it left was comforting, relaxing, and reflective. Those singers sang out of thankfulness to God for such a salvation... not in seeking it.

What has become of you, o church of the Old World? You have taken the usefulness of tradition and built an empire upon it. Power and prestige have stolen your love for God and your ability to know Him. You look to yourself for your salvation, thinking in cleverness and piety you may pass an infinite abyss in your reach for Heaven. You raise Mary and the saints as equals with God, when there is yet one God. The cathedrals are nought but a shadow and reflection of their former glory. Was this what the Apostles taught when this church was established?

There is much of the Catholic church that is beautiful and awe inspiring. But it is a sad reflection of what once was. I think on the words and teaching of such as Martin Luther and wonder at the necessity of it. How did a church, once founded by Paul and Peter and John and so many Godly men, turn so far from the teaching of the very Bible they claim to treasure? But it is no different than the Pharisees of Jesus' day that had descended from the days of Moses. Tradition becomes greater than the Word of God. Saints stand as equals to Jesus. Working our way for salvation. All heresy to the writings of the Bible and the teachings of Apostles who founded the churches that spread throughout Europe.

Obviously much of the beauty was created while the church was steeped in this tradition, and I am well over a thousand years late in my observations of this. But it is truly a shame to consider and sobering to look at, as the beauty is a reminder of what once was, and a reminder of what could be for the rest of the Christian church. Let those cathedrals never fall, and always stand as a reminder to us... and a warning.