In case you can't figure out what is happening in the drawing above, I'll tell you: it is a tree running (yes, running) to plant itself in the sea. What does that have to do with faith? What does that have to do with anything? To find out, you will need to come to Journey tonight. Bring your blindfolds!Have faith, all will be made clear.
We will also talk about something called "awfulizing." Also known as "catastrophizing." It's when someone always expects the worst out of life. It is what Chinese poet Lan Se's poem "Christmas" is all about. (Although, his poem--below--could also be titled, "If something can go wrong, it will!")
Christmas
by Lan Se
I always feel that
the letter slipped into the mailbox
will never reach its destination
The bicycle parked by the side of the street
will be stolen by someone
The pressure cooker in my hands
will immediately explode
The TV broadcasting the soccer match
will break down
If I bump into something
Of course I will get a concussion
If she doesn't come on this bus
I'll be left alone in the world
Why should a mature man bear
such heavy burdens
on his shoulders?
Journey Scripture
Luke 17:5-10
5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’
6 The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
7 ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”?
8 Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”?
9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?
10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
by Lan Se
I always feel that
the letter slipped into the mailbox
will never reach its destination
The bicycle parked by the side of the street
will be stolen by someone
The pressure cooker in my hands
will immediately explode
The TV broadcasting the soccer match
will break down
If I bump into something
Of course I will get a concussion
If she doesn't come on this bus
I'll be left alone in the world
Why should a mature man bear
such heavy burdens
on his shoulders?
Journey Scripture
Luke 17:5-10
5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’
6 The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
7 ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”?
8 Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”?
9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?
10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
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