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There was a fisherman
who rowed way out in the sea, far away from land.
He had rowed so far that he couldn’t see land. And he was so tired
from rowing that he fell asleep in the bottom of his rowboat. When he woke up, he realized his boat was sinking.
He couldn't save his boat, but he began treading water to save himself. The bright sun reflecting off the water
and the exhaustive effort to stay afloat combined to blur his vision.
He was about to give up when a rope with an inner-tube
fell within his reach. He hadn't seen the
ship at all, but it was there!
We often are so busy trying to tread on our own ...and are blinded by our own efforts, and the splashes we cause in the world.
We often don't realize our always present help in a time of trouble. But, if we shield our eyes from the glaring mistakes surrounding
us, perhaps we can see what is right in front of us.
A note from Shepherd Heath:
The most successful pirates would not want to become kings. Kings may seem to have most everything they want ...at least that's the way others may see it. But, there is a confining aspect to it, and are they really free?? Pirates would rather rob the wealth that other kings anticipate will reach their shores; to make their own king the richest of all. Of course, they likely don't consider him their king in any affectionate way ...but, the wealth has to be accumulated by someone. And the kings are made wealthy by the pirates, who are a different sort of opportunists, robbing others not so much to gain the favor of the king, but perhaps to gain another ship if there comes a day when theirs becomes no longer seaworthy. And there is a degree of admiration they earn along with the respect of the kingdom. Of course we know we cannot stereotype all kings, or all pirates.
Martin Luther (not King), did not want to leave the church. He wanted to correct the wrongs he saw, but with all the resistance, who knows, maybe it affected his thinking ...as he later became as misdirected as those whom he tried to correct (at least in some areas of his life).
Pirates are very much aware of wrongs. The Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 7, says, "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" And pirates know all about planks.
I am no Martin Luther, nor as courageous, yet hopefully also not suspect to some of his latter wayward thinking and faltering.
I would be more like a pirate from the Veggie Tales story of 'Lyle the Kindly Viking'. But, aside from just being entertained by a quite meaningful message packed cartoon, are the real life missionaries who travel throughout the world not to rob, but to prevent people from being robbed of a hope ...letting them know that however this life goes, there is a much different eternal life. A much more peaceful life.
The message, if expressed in one word, would be 'Jesus'.
Yet, the church began with people who may not have known where their beginnings were taking them. They were human just like we are, and the Apostle Paul wrote many letters of cheer and praise, before he got to some of the more serious points. It must have been rather surprising to Paul (maybe not) how a gathering had so quickly diverged in so many wrong directions.
And of course, it was not just the kings that were opportunists. Many of the church leaders seemed to want to stress and assert their authority, seeing themselves much different than the kings, but sadly slipping into a familiar tendency.
An accurate presentation of the Gospel should be enough to drive an honest enthusiasm, but there was not only competition between who was the authority ---the church or the kings ---but, competition also arose within the church, not without its own opportunists.
The apostles didn't always agree on how they were to conduct their business of spreading the Gospel, but spreading it they did ...and there was a measure of respect for one another.
Problems arose when ideas of authority shifted much to the people and their supposed humble claims of anointed superiority ...putting themselves on much the same level of authority as the Bible itself (which was not available at the time, but was available later to the leaders, and today is to all of us).
More precisely, what I'm trying to say ...is that the church in some ways embraced a concept that is not too different from what the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve with. And that is ...attempting to, or claiming to be, like God.
But, much of this is not being like God at all. Yet, in sincerely wanting to become closer to God, how is this achieved?? And when is it classified as being deceived??
This was most effectively achieved by presenting much to a rather illiterate group of people who didn't even have a Bible to read in their own language, even if they could learn to read.
Yes, this has affected me, and is part of the reason I am writing this. I feel that most wrongs should be corrected privately when possible, but if they are very wrong they could affect others too. Then perhaps it is time to speak up.
I was single for quite some time, then decided I wanted to settle down ...sort of like being landlocked. I married a wonderful woman. It is a good thing to seek out other good things, and she searched further for the treasure she already had (not me). We actually both knew of the pearl of great price ...but, it is not meant to own it, but to cherish it (and realize it is not an it ...but, referring to Jesus.) And there is no limit to how much we can cherish Him. After all, the great price offered by Jesus is His crucifixion.
But, the church I was talking about earlier, decided that there are always conditions. And it decided that it alone is appointed as God's authority, telling my wife that we are not really married.
I wanted to tell the church to walk the plank, but that does no good, as entering the murky sea does not help them see their own murkiness. And my wife is already held captive on their ship, though she feels she's a guest ...and in fact, she is treated very well in most respects, though I know the waters, and I feel she is sailing in troubled waters. (And I can't find Art & Simon to build a bridge over those waters.)
Of course, those espousing the doctrines which I am challenging, would tell me I'm going in the wrong direction ...and isn't that how much of life is, with choices that often require a bit of discretion. And often those choices are not that easy.
My advice, if I'm even qualified to give any, is to read the Bible ...and don't rely on organizations to guide you. Find friends you can trust more than a pirate, and talk to them, not getting your advice from mere persons like myself, but from those who are the type of friends who sincerely want to follow God.
Will that keep either of you from struggles or confusion??
No ...genuineness and sincerity is not always clear, and sometimes we are clearly led to another's view of what we should embrace ...and it feels good, with the support of friends.
Are we then free of confusion?? If we all read the Bible, will we have unity??
No,
But, it's better than anything I know.
(Stay in His Word.)
