Mr Worldly Wiseman
So Mike found The Pilgram's Progess for me. A book I read at 14 and am sure I lost some where around 16. I loved it. I even slept with it. (a little extreme I know but I had a queen sized bed and all my favorite books were piled on it. Others included the Phantom Tollbooth and my $500 copy of The Divine Comedy).
Before I go farther I did not spend $500 for it I paid $25 because the person who owned the book thought I should have it and all I had on me was $25.
Anyway, so I get to read one of my favorite books of all time again. So yay for me! When I was younger I understood most of it to a degree. Now that I am older (and had the last year of meeting ppl very much like the characters in this book) and gained more of an understanding of ppl and humanity it makes even more sense. More connections in my mind. More things to relate to. And now I wish to speak of a char I was always drawn to. Not because he's good but because he's bad but very decieving.
This char is Mr Worldly Wiseman. For those of you who havent read the book it is a story about Christian who is seeking deliverence and life and God. Everyone's name in this book reflects who they are. For example, Christian is called simply "man" until he truely begins his journey.
Anywho! He comes across Mr. Worldly Wiseman after Help pulls him out of Despond, a type of black mire made from fear sin and doubt. Mr. Worldly Wiseman lives in a town called Morality and attends church their. He tells Christian there is a man Legality who can quickly rid Christian of his Burden. Mr. Worldly Wiseman says that the way to the Striat Gate is heavy with dangers and only a fool would go that way. Christian calls Wordly Wiseman an honest man and thanks him for his help and proceeds to Morality. However upon seeing the large hill on which it stands is afraid it will fall on his head. Evanglist, the man who directed Christian to the Strait Gate to begin with, finds Christian there and Christian is ashamed. Evanglist tells Christian that Mr. Wordly Wiseman is decietful and tells Christian why. I will share this with you.
He says Mr. Worldly Wiseman is wordly counsel and not that of God. Christian should not listen to counsel from Worldly Wiseman, but rather God. God is the highest counsel.
The point is the town of Morality and the people Legality and Wordly Wiseman are hung up on wordly laws and ways. And the ppl of this town sounds reasonable and smooth. They work wonders with twisting words.
I think perhaps many fall into this today. I will share an experience with you.
Someone (who we will call K) said she could not hold a relationship with those too different from herself. Upon farther conversation I found it wasnt just the differences in personality (like I had orginally assumed she meant since I know its hard for certain personalities to have relationships with certain other personalities). It was differences in what God wanted. I wish to help people through psychology. For those who dont know I plan on helping people overcome addictions. That is what I am attending college for. That is my passion and desire. However, K does not accept that as a form of helping people. To K God will fix all problems if he wills it. She does not believe that God gave us the gifts to help each other in different ways. K uses the bible and 'christian reasoning' to back this. And, sadly, has even made me doubt my ways. K has become so consumed with a rigid right way or law that she does not realize there are other ways. Often times these ways are harder. But in the end worth it.
Christian could have gotten his Burden removed easily. However he would not have obtained life and deliverence had he done that.
I could sit in a store that sheltered me from things and attend a church that always covered me with their umbrella instead of working at McD's and spending thousands of dollars getting a degree. But that would be too easy. I wouldnt be helping one. And I think I'd have trouble sleeping.
To me, working with addicts is much more rewarding then... well other things.
Now back to Wordly Wisemen. Today it seems many people are looking for the 'easy way'. They attend church once a week (maybe a few more if they want the help in that community), throw a few dollars into some charitable organization, and think they are doing God's work.
God's work isnt sitting a pew in a stuff (or freezing) little church every sunday. Yeah thats nice (especially if you get an extra hour of sleep during the sermon) but that isnt out helping other people. To me church is meant to help people find their way. Allow them to discuss things with others. To guide when lost. And all that other stuff. But most use it as an excuse. "I lead youth and go to church I am doing God's work. I wont take the youth out to help others outside the church because thats not what God wants"
And they have been told they are good Christians by means of.... morality and legality! How amazing is that?!
I'm not saying we all need to be on the front line everyday. But we all have gifts. Use them! Some people are good with animals so help out at an animal shelter. Some have an amazing gift for reading and writing. Volunteer to teach people who didnt have english as their first language learn to read and write it fluently. I know sometimes these things arent possible. Life is hectic. You have a baby or have to work 2 jobs or your family member is sick. I got it. But when you can, when the time is right, you'll know. Take the chance given to you. Go where you feel directed and dont let anyone take that away.
DOnt let anyone tell you what way you should go. Take their advise into consideration. But if it seems wrong even a little bit think more on it. Or rather.. FEEL it out.
This note was a little scattered. I hope you get what I'm trying to say.
Before I go farther I did not spend $500 for it I paid $25 because the person who owned the book thought I should have it and all I had on me was $25.
Anyway, so I get to read one of my favorite books of all time again. So yay for me! When I was younger I understood most of it to a degree. Now that I am older (and had the last year of meeting ppl very much like the characters in this book) and gained more of an understanding of ppl and humanity it makes even more sense. More connections in my mind. More things to relate to. And now I wish to speak of a char I was always drawn to. Not because he's good but because he's bad but very decieving.
This char is Mr Worldly Wiseman. For those of you who havent read the book it is a story about Christian who is seeking deliverence and life and God. Everyone's name in this book reflects who they are. For example, Christian is called simply "man" until he truely begins his journey.
Anywho! He comes across Mr. Worldly Wiseman after Help pulls him out of Despond, a type of black mire made from fear sin and doubt. Mr. Worldly Wiseman lives in a town called Morality and attends church their. He tells Christian there is a man Legality who can quickly rid Christian of his Burden. Mr. Worldly Wiseman says that the way to the Striat Gate is heavy with dangers and only a fool would go that way. Christian calls Wordly Wiseman an honest man and thanks him for his help and proceeds to Morality. However upon seeing the large hill on which it stands is afraid it will fall on his head. Evanglist, the man who directed Christian to the Strait Gate to begin with, finds Christian there and Christian is ashamed. Evanglist tells Christian that Mr. Wordly Wiseman is decietful and tells Christian why. I will share this with you.
He says Mr. Worldly Wiseman is wordly counsel and not that of God. Christian should not listen to counsel from Worldly Wiseman, but rather God. God is the highest counsel.
The point is the town of Morality and the people Legality and Wordly Wiseman are hung up on wordly laws and ways. And the ppl of this town sounds reasonable and smooth. They work wonders with twisting words.
I think perhaps many fall into this today. I will share an experience with you.
Someone (who we will call K) said she could not hold a relationship with those too different from herself. Upon farther conversation I found it wasnt just the differences in personality (like I had orginally assumed she meant since I know its hard for certain personalities to have relationships with certain other personalities). It was differences in what God wanted. I wish to help people through psychology. For those who dont know I plan on helping people overcome addictions. That is what I am attending college for. That is my passion and desire. However, K does not accept that as a form of helping people. To K God will fix all problems if he wills it. She does not believe that God gave us the gifts to help each other in different ways. K uses the bible and 'christian reasoning' to back this. And, sadly, has even made me doubt my ways. K has become so consumed with a rigid right way or law that she does not realize there are other ways. Often times these ways are harder. But in the end worth it.
Christian could have gotten his Burden removed easily. However he would not have obtained life and deliverence had he done that.
I could sit in a store that sheltered me from things and attend a church that always covered me with their umbrella instead of working at McD's and spending thousands of dollars getting a degree. But that would be too easy. I wouldnt be helping one. And I think I'd have trouble sleeping.
To me, working with addicts is much more rewarding then... well other things.
Now back to Wordly Wisemen. Today it seems many people are looking for the 'easy way'. They attend church once a week (maybe a few more if they want the help in that community), throw a few dollars into some charitable organization, and think they are doing God's work.
God's work isnt sitting a pew in a stuff (or freezing) little church every sunday. Yeah thats nice (especially if you get an extra hour of sleep during the sermon) but that isnt out helping other people. To me church is meant to help people find their way. Allow them to discuss things with others. To guide when lost. And all that other stuff. But most use it as an excuse. "I lead youth and go to church I am doing God's work. I wont take the youth out to help others outside the church because thats not what God wants"
And they have been told they are good Christians by means of.... morality and legality! How amazing is that?!
I'm not saying we all need to be on the front line everyday. But we all have gifts. Use them! Some people are good with animals so help out at an animal shelter. Some have an amazing gift for reading and writing. Volunteer to teach people who didnt have english as their first language learn to read and write it fluently. I know sometimes these things arent possible. Life is hectic. You have a baby or have to work 2 jobs or your family member is sick. I got it. But when you can, when the time is right, you'll know. Take the chance given to you. Go where you feel directed and dont let anyone take that away.
DOnt let anyone tell you what way you should go. Take their advise into consideration. But if it seems wrong even a little bit think more on it. Or rather.. FEEL it out.
This note was a little scattered. I hope you get what I'm trying to say.