Shine

Creation started with the words: “Let there be light”. Millions of years later, an ancient poet king, known as David, wrote that we are bright with Eden's dawn light (Psalm 8).

I wonder if we ask the sheep, cattle, whales, fish, birds, plants, soil and trees that also feature in the David's poem whether we are still shining with Eden's light, what their answer will be. I think they will say no.

Somewhere the human race got lost in the darkness. Eden’s light that was once shining in all of us faded.

When it comes to our true identity, we’ve missed our mark.

Centuries later, a wild Jewish Rabbi told his friends and followers that he is the New Light. The more they got to know him, the more they discovered it to be true. The ancient Light of yonder year, back when we “narrowly missed being gods...” was once again shining in the life of a human.

Later, after his death they remembered his first sermon. “You are the light. I am making you light bearers. I am putting you up on a hill, like a city. Shine, so that other can see the God colours of this world!” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Imagine a world where the ancient light of Eden shines again through every human being.

Avatar

I went to see the new James Cameron film, Avatar. Every human being who lives with a longing of finding our way as a specie again has to go and see this film (if at all possible go see it in 3D!). The energy of Life is the central theme and over and against it is the human race's disconnection with it, or shall I rather say "Her".  

I struggle to find words to describe the film and especially what it did to me.

I think I have to go see it again and again and again...

The longing behind the list

Every year millions of people make their new year's list. Most of the time it all boils down to the same old stuff. Loosing weight, getting fit, stay healthy, save money, spend more time with family and stop smoking. As individuals our spesific commitments for a new year might differ, but looking at the bigger picture, I believe it all has to do with the same journey: "The longing to return to paradise lost." Somewhere in ancient history the human race lost it's true identity, being made "imago Deo", in His likeness. Our lists over New Year are like prayers or yearnings to be made new or to become new. To find the old ancient path(s) that will restore us with the One in who's footstep we're suppose to follow.

The reality is that no list can ever help us find our path. No self help book, no blog, no mountain hilltop or pilgrimage. It may help us to find traces of His footprints in the wilderness where we got lost, signs saying that Someone came after us, we were not left alone, God sent out a "search and rescue".

A few years ago, while studying, a local church came up with a catchphrase during a time when they as a community were wrestling with the theology behind grace and salvation. The poster on the lamp post near my flat read: "Be found." Behind the words was small boy lost in the wilderness.

To be found.

Maybe that is the message locked up in the secret codes of our New Year's lists.

The energy of change

I love change. I can go on for miles as long as know that whatever I am working on will shape, grow, demold, reshape and start growing again. That is the power of a new year for me, the potential and the go-ahead for change. It is as if everyone this time of the year are open toward new ideas. The world around me starts to dream, so I just follow the creative stream.

But this year, instead of trying to bring in something big en new, I'll be working on the lifestyle changes I made last year, trying to keep up the good work that is already going on inside me.

Here is my list of old things I'll keep on doing, but maybe just a little better:

Eat more from our veggie patch.
To keep on blogging and writing.
Read as wide and often as I can.
Keep on adding to a greener lifestyle.
Stay fit (last year needed to become fit!).
Learn how to pray.
Share my life.
Give away.
Humor the roles society gives me.
Stay connected (especially with El, my wife).

Tomorrow I will reflect about the meaning of this list.

Tending to the limp

Last night at church someone asked me when I am going to take a holiday, since I have worked the graveyard shift all through the festive season. No I told him, I don't think this train is going to stop pretty soon. This year is already running at full steam. Some of my friends are still sunbathing somewhere on a Cape Town beach, but here in die heart of the economic capital of Africa the train has left and is going at full speed.

So first things first, that my new years plan.

Top of the list: Fixing the limp.

I just got off from a telephone conversation I dreaded for a long time, a meeting I avoided, a connection born in conflict. To keep on avoiding it will be to ignore the wound and keep on limping.

Another friend who went out of his way last year to do something good to me, is also waiting for my "thank you". Or so I think. For some or other reason, after I received his goodwill, I just went on with life, never looking back, never saying thanks. Given enough time and some one's goodwill towards you, becomes life's judgement of your true character. And I failed, spectacularly.

Now I am limping in the new year.

I need to get this limp fixed. I need to face the conflict that has the potential of dragging on and holding me back.

Sunday

It is the first Sunday of the new year. A decade since the dawn of a new millennium. I woke up last night while the rain was belting down, this morning it is as if the earth around my life has been washed clean. I find it symbolic and very meaningful, cause isn’t this what most of us hope for at the start of a new year: to be made new, to start off fresh, to be handed a clean slate.

But somehow life doesn’t work like that, for most of us anyway.

At the start of every new beginning you still carry a piece of the old journey with you. Maybe a treasure you discovered along your old way, or a limp from a fall on some tricky and dodgy road.

I have learned that these treasures and limps help us on our new journey.

As a human race we need to embark on a new journey, a new way of doing life. Although we’ve picked up (in most cases stolen and exploited... some stunning treasures, we have left the earth with a big limp. If we continue on this road it will lead to a dead end. But I believe that there is a way off this path towards a better road and hopefully towards a life giving end.

May we have the courage to take the detour, may we have the kindness of soul to tread lightly through the unknown wilderness and may we create a new path by walking it in love.