I'm Not An Island... I'm A Continent

The late English clergyman and poet, John Donne (1572-1631) was attributed the following quote from of one of his works on meditation, as saying...

"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."

There - you learned something today. You might want to sit down if the room's spinning on you - can only take SO much enlightenment at one time, eh?

Not As Strong As We Think We Are

Saw someone today I hadn't seen in a while - and when I say "seen" I don't mean via Facebook... I mean "seen" without the assistance of this "bane-and-blessing" known as technology.

It heartens me when these folks take the ferry from their "Island" (either by choice of His design) - conversely, what disheartens me is that there are many out there that want to be proverbial "Islands".

Everybody needs help, from headaches to hangovers, from splinters to (heart) splints, from callouses to cancer - if it weren't so, you wouldn't ever be in dire straits.

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (Gen.2.18.esv)

Double the Work Versus Half A Care?

Do we dare jump off our "Island" - leaping headlong or feet first?

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl.4.9-12.esv)

Hello? This was written by one of the most (if not THE most) DEPRESSED individuals in The Bible. And, if he realized this... what's our excuse when we throw ourselves back into the briar patch (if you don't understand the reference, Google it)? His highness was brought low, even on an "Island" of fame, fortune and glory.

Having X-Ray Vision

Time wanes on - both on-and-off our "Island"; but we don't. Just because I use to act like Superman, looked like Superman (try to hold the chuckle in, will ya'), didn't make me Superman... I'm mortal enough to know (now) that although everything still "works", some things "hurt" when they do (LOL).

And getting together (fellowship) ain't the same as getting to know you, getting to know all about you... getting to like you, getting to hope you like me (kudos to R&H). That would be an honest, open and transparent discipleship going on there, boys and girls - no secret identities (a.k.a. masks), being the same in both public and in private!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb.10.24-25.esv)

Damaged Goods or Good-n-Damaged?

People act like that don't want the very thing which you ain't caught. Oh, it's always more comfortable to keep folks at arms-length by bugging out for our "Islands"... why let those Christians get close, they'll only see everything about us and we'll get hurt.

Like any of our family members EVER hurt us before, right? It's true, those who know us best wound us deepest. They find the buttons... and press them.

They paint a big ole bullseye on the back of our heads, get a bead on us and then KA-POW, right?

Sorry, not everyone who says they ARE concerned are concerned with injuring you. But, we need to take the first step and lay that vulnerable side out there. Just know that in the vulnerability, something sacred is grown... a Continent (1Cr 12:20-26.esv). MMLIA