Faith Venture

She had me lying face down on the massage table. As her fingers drove deeply into my back, she says, “The world is going to Hell in a Handbasket.” 

I did not want my massage therapist to get worked up enough to press even harder, so I used my calming voice to consider the truth of the opinion.

Of course truth or facts never get in the way of a good opinion. 

The reality is where you decide or default to place your attention.

Turning off CNN or Fox (whichever poison you’ve chosen) is a great start. Then deciding not to continue to line the already bulging pockets of Mark Z or Elon M by letting them capture my attention continues the journey on this correct path.

I know there are events in the world. But I don’t dwell on them. I know there are morons in Congress. Nothing I can do about that.

I also know there are many people doing good work in the neighborhood, city, and world. I work with many smart and  dedicated engineers and business people making the world a better place.

In many ways in most of the world, life is better than ever before. Yet, many people feel bad. Why? Expectations, I guess. Or where they place their attention. 

At the end of the day pause and consider, “Where have I allowed my attention to drift today? Toward the good? Toward the bad?”

Carole King put it, “I feel the earth move under my feet…”

Jimmy Buffet sang, “Earth she’s movin’ under me…”

These are powerful images. We expect the earth to be solid under our feet. When we teach Mountain Pose in Yoga (standing upright), we lead the students to feel their feet firmly grounded as they lengthen their spine yet relaxing their shoulders. Feel strong and grounded like a mountain.

The relaxation meditation I used last night told us to sit in the chair, place our feet flat on the ground, and feel grounded to the solid earth.

We want our emotions grounded. Not like air, moving randomly this way and that.

Building our spiritual, emotional, and intellectual life upon a solid foundation leads to a stable life ready to grow and serve.

Perhaps Jesus had something like that in mind when he told us, To hear my words and do them is like building a house on a solid foundation of rock where the rains, and the storms, and the winds came and yet did not destroy it.

Last night we visited the Morton Arboretum in suburban Chicago for their annual Illumination event. This park celebrates trees and the illuminations centered on groves of trees. Magnificent and creative.

This morning I am remembering the experience. And I thought of John’s Gospel. My favorite in many ways. It’s more philosophical and theological than the others. Mark is packed with action. Matthew and Luke pack in details. John tells the story weaving the theme of light and dark.

Jesus, of course, was the light. He brought the light. He wanted his followers to be light. Be the light in the world.

An iPhone is a poor substitute for a really good camera (which I didn’t want to carry). But this image captures some of the light and the dark.

Our question today is–how will I be The Light today?