Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground. Rosa Parks

 

Random Thoughts

 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Php 4:8  

 

Stuck in Old Fashion Beauty

 

There are two types of beauties which have awed me since childhood. And they both have to do with women. One is the nun, and the other is the sight of a woman in a veil.

The nun, with her habit, and dress, and beauty, and intelligence, and the fact of her complete separation from the world, is something that makes my heart stir with conviction that the world is still a beautiful place. 

Not that I hate the modern woman. She is good, and might even grow better, but I think there is nothing that beats the ancient woman in simple pristine beauty. The modern woman overflows with many accessories, which, inadvertently, always robs a person of what is authentic.

Probably I am still old fashioned, but that again is a throwback at conventionalism, which, at heart, really means nothing, when you peel off the mask.

For who decides this is fashion and that is not? Is it man or is it God? Well, if it is a mere man like me, why can’t I also be a fashion setter? Fashion is a malleable thing, but then who is the world?

You see he is not a person, but a movement, or a tradition, but a movement or tradition is an ambiguous term.

So, these things disturbed me as a child. I felt the tenuous nature of it all, the falsity, the lack of solidness. It is like darkness, which approaches at night but fades in the morning. Or like a dream, which, after you wake up, it’s gone.

I felt that way, but I was a child.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1Pe 3:1-6  

 

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1Co 13:9-13  

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Rom 12:18  

 

The Real, and the Unreal

 

Yet the heart craved something more. I felt there was something more. I felt restless.

The world made me believe many things. It overloaded my young mind. The world urged me, it compelled me, and that sense turned me rebellious…

One thing stands memorable. It was my first flame. She was as beautiful as an artist can appreciate beauty. But I didn’t like her hair. It wasn’t natural, and I told her. I wanted her to remain in her natural hair, but she said I was jealous, because I feared other men would love her!

Needless to say, I lost her, but I think I lost her on principal.

It was I who was going to live with her, but she chose to hear the voice of the world. And the world is a powerful thing, invincible, tenacious, superfluous…

Scripture calls it “the prince of the air”. Elsewhere it speaks of principalities.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:11-12  

And all these are terms which reflect on the world. The world was beautiful once, because God created it, and he saw that it was very good.

There in the day of Adam, in the pristinely dawn of the morning. But sin entered, and sin altered everything up to this day.

What was beautiful once the world called ugly, and what was ugly once the world called beautiful.

The nun to me represented the recalcitrance which is beautiful. I loved that conviction. She stands in stark contrast to the world, something fluid, opaque, meaningless, and her something solid, something true, and the other something false.

And that for me, even as a child, I understood that truth is inviolable, unassailable – because it is the truth of God.

A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psa 15:1-5  

 

Staying Fixed!

 

I thank God I felt the way I felt. I thank him I still feel the way I feel.

There is something intrinsic in the air, and again there is something which is very unreal.

My heart refuses to juggle these principals.

And I didn’t even know God then!

So, quite deliberately, and progressively, God has made himself known to me.

I wanted something. I was sure of something. And, in the end, God did not disappoint. Father, you showed me yourself!

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Psa 57:7-10

 

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psa 107:8-9  

 

God grant that your restlessness may bring you at last at home. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Act 17:28). 

We are all prodigals, and we never know it until we are broke, and in far country.

 

From Ash to Beauty

Beauty must not always be subjective, it can be a road to what is true.

In poetry we struggle with words, but it is not a vain struggle. Just as there is no child who is vain. There is no labour which is vain.

Right now, it might not hold much meaning, but it always does, later. God grant that we shall not miss it, when it arrives.