Peeping through my keyhole I see within the range of only about thirty percent of the light that comes from the sun; the rest is infrared and some little ultraviolet, perfectly apparent to many animals, but invisible to me. A nightmare network of ganglia, charged and firing without my knowledge, cuts and splices what I do see, editing it for my brain. Donald E. Carr points out that the sense impressions of one-celled animals are not edited for the brain: "This is philosophically interesting in a rather mournful way, since it means that only the simplest animals perceive the universe as it is."
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Annie Dillard
We are on the verge of drastic life changes. At this point they are potential, but they are big potentials. I find myself wanting to hold back for fear. How much sacrifice do we make when it feels as though God is calling us?
My soul is warring with what is right and what the world has taught me. The parts of me that want to say no, say no for purely financial, and comfort reasons. Then I think about perspective, and wonder how little I see. I see so well the materialistic things in my life. I like the idea of having a house to grow old in. What if God calls me to give it up? Can I? even in the midst of losing a huge comfort in my life? Every part of me that wants to say yes knows that it is a chance for my husband and me to better use our gifts, to better serve, and to start something that has been brewing for years. Something we believe in. I sit and realize that ‘Yes, God can use the moneyless just as easily as the rich.’
I listen in silence as my inner being tries to shake the world off, desperately trying to see what my perspective won't let me. And I think that, perhaps God will call us to do crazy things and the people whom we love will smile, shake their heads and call us crazy. I will take risk over comfort knowing that my vision is always worlds too small to know what God’s plans are. I don’t want to end my life saying, ‘I played it safe’.
hey S.... you write well, and it's been fun hanging out with you and the other S... ha... hey did we spell his name right on the card..??? there was some question... anyway I like the blog.. you have a gift with words, keep it up.... bmw
God uses your fire to ignite passion in others. I love you Sember and Shaun Larose.
God uses your fire to ignite passion in others. I love you Sember and Shaun Larose.
"I sit and realize that ‘Yes, God can use the moneyless just as easily as the rich.’ "
I'd go further to say that God often chooses to use the moneyless instead of the rich. Our society has a godless and faithless mentality that believes that money devoted to a "godly" cause is needed to "spread the gospel", "be able to reach the lost" or "go where He has called us to go"
Since when did finances equal the spread of God's Kingdom? When I pause and consider this statement, I can recall time after time where people have directly or indirectly said that finances are the impetus of "ministry" occuring. I think we all need a re-programming to see that money is likely more an inhibitor to "ministry" than it is an enabler.
Last time I checked, it was the "Poor in Spirit" rather than the "Rich in Wealth" who gained the Kingdom of Heaven. ;-)
You and Shaun are wise to consider these things... and I am fully grateful to get to experience some of this process with you both!
Love you guys -- em
P.S.
Playing it safe is BOOORINGGGG!!! (you know how that is meant to be said)
hehe!
BMW: Thank you so much for the encouraging words. We have SO enjoyed hanging out with you as well. I love it when I am blessed with the opportunity to meet people and click with them so beautifully. You and your beatiful woman have been a big highlight for us these past weeks.
Chicken: I can't wait to see God's plans for you come to fruition. We need yoga. I can't tell you how proud I am of you for being brave!
Emery: You crack me up so much. Money has a grip on us that we can't even begin to see or understand. It is kind of scary. We are blessed by your presence, you have sharpened us, challenged us, and encouraged us. btw even the rich can be 'moneyless'! You are our brother, and stuck with us for LIFE! Hahaha! We love you, too!