This was a post I made on another aquaintences blog site. I decided to resurrect the idea and see if any still visited my blog. :)
I have thought about that whole "going deep" thing with someone to some extent, as well. Actually, myself and some of my acquaintances here in Vienna...have even commented about the "levels of conversation". We just made it up one night. So, for instance, level one would be small talk, weather talk, etc. Level two would be on a more personal level (interests, what one does, etc.) Level three would be even more personal (faith, philosophies, political ideals, life aspirations, etc.) Level four is where you share the more difficult things like struggles, sin, anger, disapointment, / or, heart felt feelings towards another's friendship, love for someone, etc. Level 5 is when you share things that only you and a select few know about (lust issues, etc.)... And level 6 is a level that isn't often reached. That is where you share something or thoughts that only you and God have known about before that moment (most often carnal thought). So, there you have it. Move over Erickson, Piaget, Milton. Check out theory can come out of simple conversation between some average Joes?! Well, we have no study that supports this theory...and not a lot of thought was actually put into it.....your thought on "going deep" just reminded me of it.For the most part I agree with one of the other posts. I think it is rare moments when we dare to talk intimately with our fellow man. Many times, in Christian circles at least, it seems forced. We have vain attempts at accountability groups...that usually end with little to no transparency ( NO LEVEL 6! :)).
Henri Nouwen has some interesting thoughts on intimacy with our fellow man in, 'Reaching Out.' He talks in there about reaching a certain level of intimacy with our fellow man through solitude (of course! What else does Nouwen talk about?!). I really like his thoughts, though. In 'Reaching Out' he sites a dialog he has with a former student. The only catch is that it wasn't much of a dialog...of words anyways. He states that after a few minutes had passed they became silent..."Not an embarassing silence but a silence that could bring us closer together than the many small and big events of the last year." "The silence that grew between us was warm, gentle and vibrant." He goes on describing their nonverbal interactions. And then after a long period of silence his former student says, "When I look at you it is as if I am in the presence of Christ." Nouwen responds by saying he did not feel surprised or in need of protesting, but could only say, "It is the Christ in you, who recognizes the Christ in me." "Yes," his student said, "He indeed is in our midst."Nouwen then goes on to say that this former student spoke the most healing words he had heard in his many years..."From now on, wherever you go, or wherever I go, all the ground between us is holy ground."
That is deep.
-Andy
Welcome to the port of happenings in or around the Larson family. The Larsons are: Andy, Lisa, Hadley & Theo They currently reside in the 'Harbor City' of the Midwest; Duluth, MN. These are their stories..
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4 comments:
I really think the 'lion's share' of why we hesitate is found in the 'lifeboat theory.' This theory was presented to me in a book titled, "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller. And, although I have heard a few different referrences towards this concept this representation was the first I had heard that has stuck.
The 'Lifeboat theory' basically states that we (us humans) are caught in constant competition. It is like we are a host of different folks stranded in a lifeboat. This lifeboat can only hold so many...and we are a few over the limit. Thus, a few of us need to be cast aside. Who will it be? Well... Let's see. We need to set a criteria. Then based on that criteria we will make our judgement. However, people can argue there case. A good arguement may preserve our position within the lifeboat. It also promotes judgement. If we can judge someone...and influence others to judge that someone...then we may improve our position?! This 'competition' is seen all over social circles.. Sports, Academia, Corporate, "keeping up with the Jones'," etc..
Maybe, this is where Darwin got his idea of survival of the fittest? Or, where Lewis composed his concept of The Abolition of Man? Nonetheless, this jockeying for position is sadly evident in this fallen world. What is even more sad is that it is in the Church.
I believe the 'fear of rejection' to be a vital component to this enigma. Fear of rejection = possible casting from the lifebaoat....or a significant loss of position in the life boat.
In the book (Searching..) the author takes a look at how Jesus looks at the lifeboat. Does he even care about it? Most likely no. All of his interaction when he was here rarely dealt with this....if anything he came against the concept.
So, what do we do? I'm not sure...but, I believe it has something to do in letting go of the need to be in the 'lifeboat.' Through this letting go...we can truly live. I hope so, anyway.
What exactly (or more specifically) does "fixing our eyes on Jesus mean? I mean I know that it is addressed in things like "fixing our eyes on Jesus" are actually pretty difficult to do when one is more beant towards Kinesthetics. Our how doe that look as a more auditory person? Or, maybe it's just an expression that you have some other personal meaning that I need to be made aware of? Just asking for clarification. :)
OK...so, I noticed I missed a big chunk in there. Here is the full unabridged version of what I wanted to write.
What exactly (or more specifically) does "fixing our eyes on Jesus mean? I mean I know that it is addressed in things like Catapthatic prayer or meditative, imaginative prayer...but,"fixing our eyes on Jesus" is actually pretty difficult to do when one is more beant towards Kinesthetics. Our how does that look to a more Auditory person? Or, maybe it's just an expression that you have some other personal meaning within that I need to be made aware of? Just asking for clarification. :)
Greetings antipas!! I am resurrecting our conversation from the smoldering coals... ;)
So, you wrote:
"Do we really want to be close to God or do we believe He is really not that trustworthy?"
Ah yes...man, is that ever a good question. Way to get down (deep that is) That is a core question. I have to say reluctantly (most likly because of pride) that it is probably the latter.
I read an article the other day...and in it the author posed this senario: You are attending an event at Niagra Falls...where a daring high wire walker is going to attempt to cross over the falls on a wire while pushing a barrel. Now, because you have seen the wire walker accomplih many death defying wire walks you have a huge amount of faith in his ability. Just then he calls out for a volunteer to climb inside the barrel and be a part of this courageous feat. This is the point where faith and trust intersect (and are separate). The author's point being that we might have tons of faith in God's ability....just not with OUR lives.
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