The Water Is Life.

Eugene Peterson (the guy who wrote “The Message”) also wrote a book called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.  I haven’t read the book yet, but considering how convicting the title is all by itself, I can’t imagine how impacting the book will be.

Due in large part to this semester, I’ve discovered some unpleasant things about myself and my own tendencies–in particular a proneness to passivity (whoa, alliteration!), if you will.  I’m very laid-back–a “type non-A,” if there is such a thing.  This is good in regards to not freaking out about things and avoiding high blood pressure, but it begins to be a problem in the face of day-to-day responsibilities.

Given this disposition, it makes sense that I’m naturally more given to sins of omission than sins of commission.  The problem with sins of omission, of course, is that it’s often easy to rationalize away whether they were sins at all.  And even if I’m not sinning, this bent causes me to miss opportunities.  I’m kind of a sprinter with my convictions to fix the day-to-day stuff: I vow (like so many people with their New Year’s resolutions) to do astronomical good things, and then my good intentions get worn out and I run out of steam.

Now I’m in an interesting position:  Jobless, on academic probation, and more excited about this semester than any of my life.  God’s shown up to me the hard way, and I’m ready to kick the habit.  One little piece at a time.

In the meantime, read Psalm 40 in The Message.  So, so, so good.

This year, I’ve started looking at Christmas carols as worship songs, partially due to all of the times they were played in chapel.

I don’t know why I never realized it before.

It gives a whole new depth to the season for me, especially in light of two semesters chock-full of theology.  How do you sum up the musings of Paul, Athanasias, and Amselm on the Incarnation?  Leave it to Charles Wesley’s pen:

“Peace on earth, and mercy mild–God and sinners reconciled.”

“Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.”

“Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

There’s enough food for thought in that one song to overwhelm any philosopher.

I’ve also been discovering just how beautiful many of the arrangements for these songs can be.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is haunting, and even more recent songs like Babe in the Straw and Breath of Heaven take my breath away (no pun intended).

And if we lose sight of Your sweet face, at the birth of grace
Light of Truth, shine like Bethlehem’s star
Lead us to where You are, show us who You are
Save us tonight.

I really feel like blasting “All You Need Is Love” today.

Maybe because this Christmas is overshadowed by fears of how to pay for school this next year and what to do in the absence of a job.

Maybe because I was super impressed with myself when I packed so light for interterm that I didn’t need to check any bags.

Maybe because I have realized that I’m fine without lots of stuff.

Regardless, it’s amazing to know that “I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing.”

Normally I would be looking for a more clever/dynamic/anti-cliche way to say that, but right now it doesn’t matter.

Because He isn’t expecting me to be clever, but to accept His love in my very inadequacy.