What You Do While Waiting
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm 1:1 NASB
How blessed – What should we do now while we are waiting for the return or an exit? Do we just continue with the routine punctuated by moments of insight and recommitments to improve? Do we enlist ourselves in causes worthy of the character of God? Do we do our best to sort out the trivial but necessary from the important but voluntary? Or do we just hope for someone to tell us how to live in the midst of all this confusion? David makes it quite clear that blessing comes from avoiding actions associated with the wicked, but what does that mean for positive choices?
“In kabbalistic thought, the goal of humankind is to achieve an all-encompassing sense of tikkun. According to Lurianic Kabbala, the world is in a state of shevirat hekelim, broken vessels. In this state of brokenness, the human being is under stress, often feeling disconnected from all that surrounds him or her. The purpose of Torah, according to this perspective, is tikkun, which literally means ‘fixing’ but figuratively refers to ‘repairing’ or ‘uniting’ the world on all levels. The concept of tikkun calls on us to unite with our planet in the spirit of ecological peace, to unite with each other in warm camaraderie, and to unite with God in absolute harmony.”[1] Kabbala might be suspect at the philosophical level, but in terms of practical application, these objectives seem to offer a great summary of the biblical idea of peace on earth. This means that we who wait are asked to take steps to achieve tikkun—and that every step we take in this direction is a fulfillment of our purpose in the delay before the end. We are lovers in search of our beloved, just as the woman in the Song finds herself searching the city. That emptiness, that feeling of being out of place, that tinge of despair known to those who love deeply and yearn for the confirming touch, is part of the waiting and is therefore the reason why we must be involved in tikkun. We are the fixers on the wall, the menders at home, the craftsmen of comforting, the directors of the desperate. Peace on earth is our responsibility and also our reward during the time between the birth and consummation of our love.
So what to do now? Well, choose something! Choose something that repairs the world. Something that enlists your passion, that brings integrity and wholeness to wherever you are. And do it with the intensity of love for the One who seems absent at the moment. Do it as though it is a gift that will woo the Lover back to your side. Engage yourself to enthrall.
The truth is that God never left. He is just hidden. And He is hidden so that we have the opportunity to do something that reveals. If He were constantly visible, radiantly present in every moment, why would we strive to produce tikkun. There would be no need. But because He is disguised in His world, concealed in the sunset, the storm, the eyes of another, the glow of goodness, because He is camouflaged in distress, clouded in confusion, cloaked in concern, we are set free to disclose His every facet. No overpowering awe, burning us with blinding power. Just the tiny glimpses of a lover among the shadows. In tikkun we peel back the edges of the universe so that our Lover can slip into life unnoticed by anyone but His treasured ones.
Tikkun. Where does that drive you today?
Topical Index: tikkun, repair, restore, fix, blessed, ashre, Psalm 1:1, Avraham Weiss
[1] Avarham Weiss, Holistic Prayer, p. 13.
Is peace on earth an exterior or an interior job? Do we achieve it by politics or by prayer? Yeshua was asked in Matt. 24 to describe the time of the end, and verse 29 takes us immediately from tribulation to the coming of the Son of man on the clouds of glory. Yeshua said He came not to bring peace, but a sword, and warned His followers to count the cost. Enlistment in the cause of the truth has always been an invitation to persecution on this planet, and always will, for the systems of this world have always been at odds with the Kingdom of heaven. Where in all of this conflict is to be found peace? Do we fight the right war, or do we find the right political system, or do we sign on to the correct ecumenical charter, or do we turn our focus from human-centered to earth-centered; from eschatological to ecological, to achieve unity and community? Or, perhaps, do we read Matthew 24 and throw up our hands in despair and say “forget peace!”?
Yet, in the last discourse the Messiah had with His disciples, He repeated over and over that He would leave His peace with them, never to be taken from them. What peace was this? Did any of those disciples, in the cause He enlisted them in, find an earthly peace, or did all of them taste the dregs their Master drained? Are we called to a different cause, or does the enlistment charter still stand: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel, and then the end shall come”? What precipitates this end? World peace, or preaching? Where is the promised peace in such a command, which is a command to stand against all earthly systems and idealogies; all of which ostensibly are striving for peace? Yeshua then revealed that the ‘peace that passeth understanding” is “not of this world”.
To understand the peace that comes from heaven, then, is not to understand it from a worldly perspective, but to go looking in an entirely different place for it. Peace, which is a connected homeostasis between all, is vital for life – for all life – but there is only one Source of it, and we have been assured that that Source is “not of this world”. No external device ever hatched on this planet can achieve what only heaven can provide. To find my balance between myself, God, others and the cosmos, then, entails that I look from beyond myself, others or that cosmos, and also beyond what myself or others THINK peace with God should look like. I am not a source of peace; I have no means to achieve connection, much less perfected connection, between myself and anything, much less achieve it for anyone or anything else. Peace is a gift of heaven, but it does not come separate from its Giver. The Prince of Peace comes, bringing Himself, and offers the Gift. Within Him, and Him only, lies all the connections, all the relating, all the fulfillment of potential that is lacking in all our fracture, and in that total connection lies our only hope of peace. My job, then, is to be a repository of the Peacegiver; a representative of the promised restoration; a preacher of the gospel of peace, “not as the world giveth”, but as only heaven can give, and then sit back and expect opposition – a sword – for the peace of heaven has never passed through any pocketbook or channel of power ever devised my man (although I don’t think that has been for lack of trying!). All peace comes with conditions, and the choice of peace has always been a choice between allegiance to one system or another; between the devisings of man (which heaven says it has always been in derision of) or the embodiment of heaven in the Prince of Peace. Peace is an interior job, but when I am at peace with heaven, I can expect that connection to put me at odds with the exterior devisings for peace on this earth. The commission is “preach”, and the promised outcome is “tribulation” in this world, but we are encouraged by our Saviour, Who said “be of good courage, for I have overcome the world”. The end is certain, and the prophecy is sure. I have been promised perfect peace – perfect connection – no matter what the circumstances – just like Peter on the water – as long as my mind is stayed upon Him. Halleluah!
Peace, Be Still
My peace (My shalom) I give unto them.. Every good gift (including “peace” or “shalom”) is from Above. Peace is a Gift. Peace, He gives, – Peace, we receive. He is the Giver, the Source (of all things good), we are the recipients. Peace, — NOT as the world gives.
Yes, Peace (Shalom) in every situation and circumstance. A dead calm in the midst of the storm. A calm assurance, a blessed assurance —He is near, for He has promised, “I will NEVER leave you, NOR forsake you,” — “I AM with you,” — ALWAYS. In sorrow, or in wealth, in sickness or in health, His Name, the Name of our Heavenly Boaz, our Near-Kinsman Redeemer remains the same —”Immanuel.” He is the God (the I AM) who is “Now Here.”
The Gift.
He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Ruach HaKodesh, the very Breath of God. Our very breath is the gift of God. And with this breath, our every breath, we are to praise Him! Our life is the gift of God. Today is the gift of God. My heart-soul-mind-and strength are the gift of God. Grace is “what God gives, and He HAS given unto us [only?] “All things” that pertain unto Life (yes, this one) and godliness.
Examine the Fruit
~the fruit of the Spirit is Love,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Joy,
~the fruit of the Spirit is Peace,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Patience,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Kindness,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Goodness,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness,
~ the fruit of the Spirit is Self-control;
and against such things there is no law.…
According to Romans 8.9, this Holy Breath, (the Ruach) of the Messiah now lives in those who belong to Him! And? ~ And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, [the Ruach of Messiah] – they do not belong to Him!
The Haves and the Have Nots
This is rather a cutting remark! For either we do, – or we don’t!
Another very strong statement: “Examine yourselves,” (test yourselves) whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Do you not know – your own selves, how that Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) is in you?.. Friend, — Is He?
“We make it our goal to please Him” —to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. That we might “walk the talk,” and may (today) walk worthily of the LORD, pleasing Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God..
He is LORD.
LORD of every thought and action,
LORD to send and Lord to stay;
LORD in speaking, writing, giving,
LORD in all things to obey;
(Both) Now, and evermore to be.
E.H. Swinstead
“The peacemaker is one who actually gives up personal harmony and tranquility in order to put himself at risk for the sake of peace.” – Skip Moen
RISK: Reflections on Peacemakers, September 24, 2009
An excellent re-read today. In some ways, a contrast, but I really appreciate the focus of What You Do While Waiting, as being related to one’s natural gifts, if I have understood it properly.
Laurita, in response to your question, “Is peace on earth an exterior or an interior job?”, I would say, “Does it have to be an either/or answer?” Is the Creator able to do whatever He wants without our understanding of it? Sometimes I have experienced great peace when I was unaware of any conscious thought of it. As someone who is so pragmatic, it catches me by surprise.
“O Lord God, You know.”
This kind of reminds me of the story about the man walking on the beach and putting starfish back in the ocean. Someone ask him why did he bother there was no way to save them all. I believe his response was well it mattered to the ones he did place back in the ocean.
Isn’t our walk about being as real about our walk and life as possible and influencing those in the world around us?
Rightly so, babs! LIKE!!! A positive, beneficial influence, of course.
Little drops of water make an ocean!
Shalom!
I’ve been waiting for almost 4 years now. My passion — teaching evangelists.
Today leave for India (at great financial cost) and a gift of a ticket.
I’m gone for 7 days and than I return to waiting (maybe).
JC; your sharing above, brought back so many memories; when my husband, and I and two children went many moons ago, we were packed with necessary American living items for one year.
Our heavy items were shipped sea freight four months before–slow boat style. and none of us were ever the same. But I think that even seven days could change your life forever though. However; know that the diseases of the continent, the extreme heat (cooler some in this season now) and centuries old methods of living in many areas has not changed.
very interesting that the couple who made an offer on my unlisted home that I am getting ready to sell, were under 35 years and precious family with four children, have been living in Nepal for five years. They had been with a Mission group Non-denominational . And as they viewed some of the art objects we got all those years ago; he asked where we had lived. And added, well IT HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL! I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AS I REMEMBER YOUR VISTI. L.B.
By the way, a gracious “thank you” to Skip for helping me pull back all the onion skin layers involved with evangelism.
Peace for me comes only in one place: acceptance. My life isn’t about me. Each day, i am called to live life on lifes terms, not my own. I was formed by my Creator to be part of the repair crew. I was given grace towards reconciliation, the repair manual and a Helper. At the close of each day, i must ask “did I measurably make a difference?”
AMEIN!!!
Clarification request; Are you saying there is good in Kabbalah, or are you using it as a point of discussion/reference.
Thanks.
As with all human interpretations, some good, some not so good. Here it is used as a point of discussion.
Kabbalah is more then a ‘human interpretation’. It is a demonic way of life.
Thanks for the clarification.
Of course, not everyone would think so, not even every religious person, not even every religious Jew. So to call it demonic will require a bit of explanation, won’t it?
Obviously. I’m not as glib as Laurita, so give me a minute.
From the Jesus-is-Lord website:
Begin Quote:
It is NOT hard to learn who the authors of the Kabbalah were. We know. They are mainly:
1. Eliphas Levi
2. MacGregor Mathers
3. H.P. Blavatsky
4. A.E. Waite
These are the main authors of books about the Kabbalah.
Eliphas Levi is the author who led the Occult Revival of the 1800s, that revived Satanism and Luciferianism. He wrote many books about Ritual Black Magic and how to have contact with Demonic Spirits…because he was seeking them.
MacGregor Mathers goes by several names. He is one of the Three founders of the Occult Society – known as the society of the Golden Dawn. This is a demonic society, not because we say so, but because THEY say so. This is one of the occult societies that covets demonic possession. Christians would consider their teachings to be Satanic. MacGregor Mathers is also one of the mentors of the Great Satanist Aleister Crowley. The first Translation of the Kabbalah into English was by MacGregor Mathers. (He lived in the U.K. for most of his life, where he recruited a lot of the elites into his occult Golden Dawn society).
H.P. Blavatsky is the founder of Theosophy. This is the view that Lucifer is truly an angel of light and he is the one who deserves our worship and allegiance. Blavatsky came from an occult family, and was already a Medium when she was a teenager. She sought out evil and the company of demonic spirits all of her life. She wrote many books about the occult. She believed that the Jews – through books like the Kabbalah – had stolen books of black magic that had previously come from the Chaldeans. She denied that Jesus was the Christ. She also denied that salvation could come through Jesus Christ. She remained extremely hostile to Jehovah/Yahweh – the God of the Jews.
A.E. Waite is an occult author. He played a large role in helping many occult authors in the early 1900s. He was involved in Many occult societies including the Golden Dawn.
All of these authors are devoted to the Kabbalah and other forms of the Occult. These authors deliberately sought to be involved with demonic spirits.
Surely the Real God of the Universe has better ways of dealing with mankind, than to operate through those who consciously willfully oppose the Bible and the teachings of Salvation by Faith alone in Christ Jesus. The Zohar is a book that claims to have been written by forces, which can only be identified as Demonic. END QUOTE
Whether or not these people originated Kabbalah are of no import to me, what is of import is that they are LEADING FIGURES in the organization and there are STILL books of the blackest magik still available that EACH of them have written.
Can light fellowship w/darkness? Can we do evil so that grace may abound? Scripture equivocally states “No”. Is it possible to separate a man from his core beliefs, so that he/she can both honor YHVH and teach righteousness while simultaneously holding hands with the enemy. No, even tho present day churches teach NOT while doing so, the fact is that Scripture states otherwise.
Kabbalah is rooted in babylonian witchcraft and Zohar.
See also:
http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n2032.cfm
For those so inclined:
http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=1059
Each person must be persuaded. I’m really not down for any kind of lengthy debate wherein someone tries to convince me of my error. I also don’t care that cutting edge is conservative baptist. The guy who runs cutting edge is a former military intelligence officer who is greatly skilled and trained in forensic research. His website is reliable as far as his beliefs allow.
Kabbalah is black. i do not recommend it or play with it. When you play with black you get black on your spirit and only repentance will cleanse it.
Fact.
All the perfect questions in the first paragraph! 🙂
“Do we do our best to sort out the trivial but necessary from the important but voluntary?” Super! ABBA is into the minutest DETAILS of our attitudes and behaviour that distinguishes us from the world/crowd!
“Something that enlists your passion, that brings integrity and wholeness to wherever you are.” So crucial.
“…so that our Lover can slip into life unnoticed by anyone but His treasured ones.” Amein!
Such poetry. I loved every word.