Hi friends,
I’ve been thinking about love a lot lately. The other day was my grandparents 48th wedding anniversary. Can you believe that? Forty-eight years of sharing life, being in love, and supporting one another through thick and thin. I can’t imagine the depth of their knowledge, understanding, and affection for one another. (They had a little date last night to commemorate the occasion. I can just picture my grandparents speaking in Spanish to one another about movies and grandchildren while enjoying some customary rice and beans. Viva Cuba!)
Not only that but recently I went to see The King’s Speech (phenomenal movie) and during the previews I was struck by how idolized romantic love is in our culture. Now I think there’s some merit to how often it’s focused on because of how truly wonderful it is to be in love. Romantic love is one of the most incredible gifts God’s given us. Just go read some Song of Songs and let the poetic beauty of their deep affection for one another saturate your little heart. While you're at it, go ahead and read a bunch of the New Testament and notice that the Church is called the bride of Christ. The fact that the analogy used in Scripture to portray the relationship between us and Christ is that of a bride and bridegroom reflects the tremendous significance of this kind of relationship.
However, it’s crucial to remember that love between a man and a woman is not what is ultimately redemptive (as the media often portrays it to be). It has redemptive qualities, without a doubt, but if God is not one's primary source of worth, meaning, and acceptance then the danger of love (or anything else for that matter) turning into a form of idolatry is very real. Theologian Paul Tillich refers to God as “the ground of being” for this very reason. Anything can (and does) turn into an idol if we do not derive our worth from Him. As John Calvin said, “the human heart is a factory of idols... Everyone of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols.”
While it’s important to remember these things, it’s equally important to remember that love is fun, to be enjoyed, and an amazing gift that should turn our hearts ultimately and joyfully back to God in gratitude.
As CS Lewis said in one of my favorite quotes,
“It is one of the difficult and delightful subtleties of life that we must deeply acknowledge certain things to be serious and yet retain the power and will to treat them often as lightly as a game.”
Now watch this adorable video!
So friends, thank God for love. Not just between you and your significant other (if you have one), but between your friends and your family as well.
Love is awesome. And so are you.
Over and out.
-Chrissy
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
First Post of 2011
Hi everyone.
Happy snowy Friday! Today is yet another day this January spent cuddled up with a blanket, a cup (or three) of coffee, and some books. In case you don't know, I took a class in January called Creative and Expressive Movement. The class was definitely fun - who wouldn't like a class where your only course work is to act like a goof? The only downfall was the amount of free time I had. In many ways, it was a much needed respite from my typically jam packed schedule, but in a lot of ways it drove me nuts. I like to make myself busy but not for just the sake of being busy. Rather, for the sake of feeling like a productive and fruitful human being. I also hate the feeling of being idle. Not to mention the Bible says that my life is not my own, and faith without action is dead (1 Corinthians 6:19, James 2:17). I try to keep those truths at the forefront of my mind.
Living in Philadelphia last semester was a wonderful time of growing, learning, and experiencing so much. It challenged me continually and repeatedly sent my mind into webs of ideas, thoughts and questions. For instance, the variety of different types of people doing life in such drastically different ways through such individually formed, unique lenses stretched my own perspective on life in a number of ways. I'd probably never stop writing if I tried to elaborate on all the things I've learned. For everything that I took from this past semester, I am filled with gratitude.
When my time of living there came to an end and I returned to the (much) slower paced Grantham life, I found myself feeling anxious and unproductive. No more volunteering at LIFT, no more playing with 6 year old inner city kids at Norris Square after school program, no more involvement with Circle of Hope (the Brethren in Christ church I attended), no more city life at all! I still miss it. Needless to say, it was quite the adjustment.
As the super snowy month of February draws near, I've come to realize that the past few weeks of having a very open schedule have been quite valuable to me. I've had time (galore) to reflect on the past few months and subsequently journal a ton about it. I've also had so much time to read, opportunities to further invest in relationships with full devotion, and the chance to refocus my priorities and tune my heart to God (which is a daily, continual process).
And now, the weekend before real classes begin, I'm glad to say that I feel focused and ready to tackle the semester. I know it'll be a good one.
Now here's the cutest picture in the world:
Gosh, I just love foxes. Look at the little silver one!
Happy 2011! Make it the best year.
-chrissy
Happy snowy Friday! Today is yet another day this January spent cuddled up with a blanket, a cup (or three) of coffee, and some books. In case you don't know, I took a class in January called Creative and Expressive Movement. The class was definitely fun - who wouldn't like a class where your only course work is to act like a goof? The only downfall was the amount of free time I had. In many ways, it was a much needed respite from my typically jam packed schedule, but in a lot of ways it drove me nuts. I like to make myself busy but not for just the sake of being busy. Rather, for the sake of feeling like a productive and fruitful human being. I also hate the feeling of being idle. Not to mention the Bible says that my life is not my own, and faith without action is dead (1 Corinthians 6:19, James 2:17). I try to keep those truths at the forefront of my mind.
Living in Philadelphia last semester was a wonderful time of growing, learning, and experiencing so much. It challenged me continually and repeatedly sent my mind into webs of ideas, thoughts and questions. For instance, the variety of different types of people doing life in such drastically different ways through such individually formed, unique lenses stretched my own perspective on life in a number of ways. I'd probably never stop writing if I tried to elaborate on all the things I've learned. For everything that I took from this past semester, I am filled with gratitude.
When my time of living there came to an end and I returned to the (much) slower paced Grantham life, I found myself feeling anxious and unproductive. No more volunteering at LIFT, no more playing with 6 year old inner city kids at Norris Square after school program, no more involvement with Circle of Hope (the Brethren in Christ church I attended), no more city life at all! I still miss it. Needless to say, it was quite the adjustment.
As the super snowy month of February draws near, I've come to realize that the past few weeks of having a very open schedule have been quite valuable to me. I've had time (galore) to reflect on the past few months and subsequently journal a ton about it. I've also had so much time to read, opportunities to further invest in relationships with full devotion, and the chance to refocus my priorities and tune my heart to God (which is a daily, continual process).
And now, the weekend before real classes begin, I'm glad to say that I feel focused and ready to tackle the semester. I know it'll be a good one.
Now here's the cutest picture in the world:
Gosh, I just love foxes. Look at the little silver one!
Happy 2011! Make it the best year.
-chrissy
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