Skip to main content

Knowledge v Peace

By j jones

 Lately, I've been pondering Adam and Eve eating the fruit they weren't supposed to. Literal or not, what does it demonstrate of God and humanity? 

The first temptation was to know stuff without asking God. 

Ouch! The first temptation was to know stuff without asking God. From the beginning, God intended for us to walk and talk with Them (Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit), but that wasn't enough for Adam and Eve. They chose an "upgrade', to know what was good and evil for themselves. Independence. There are ideas that Christianity is about keeping a whole lot of rules. Sadly, these ideas originated from the demonstration within the Church, but that isn't really it. Following Jesus is a "reset to factory settings", back to a walking, talking, asking, learning, ongoing conversation and relationship with the Creator of the universe - Father God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Adoption into this family means death to independence. Laying down independence can seem scary, dangerous or stupid. It's what's kept many of us safe. A wall to stand behind. Protection. But you won't need it here. This is where the Peace of Heaven can be found. Peace that transcends all understanding, protecting your heart and mind. Because our limited knowledge doesn't lead to peace. Knowing all about good and evil doesn't give us peace. But Peace is who Jesus is. When the focus is taken off "what is good and evil" and returned to the Trinity, life is no longer based on a set of rules. It becomes a dance with the wind of the Holy Spirit. Are you ready to dance?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

(Dis)Comfort and Joy

By j jones
  In the summer, I was traveling to London on the train. It was a birthday treat and the idea of driving didn't spark much joy. As I normally travel by car, the train was an adventure - to start with! And then, like the Hobbits leaving the shire, it didn't quite go to plan! I'll leave the full story for another day but traveling by train the same day that Taylor Swift was in Wembley wasn't such a great idea. The trains were absolutely chockablock. We spent an hour stood toe to toe, head to armpits, as hundreds of people squashed into a train that was already full. Yet the passengers were laughing, chatting and sharing life stories as we trundled down the tracks. The discomfort, apparently, was worth it and we left the station wishing our new besties a wonderful time. If that was a Monday morning of commuters, I'm pretty sure the atmosphere wouldn't be quite so joy filled. What we're willing and even able to endure, can definitely be connected with the percei...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comfort and joy

By j jones
  I keep hearing the line "Comfort and Joy" from the Christmas Carol jingling in my head. It's a bit early even for me, but with the wind howling outside, it's not hard to conjure up the image of a roaring fire, a cup of tea, and a piece of Christmas cake—comfort and joy at its best! I took up swimming in the lake last year. I started as a symbolic act for something God was talking to me about - washing off apathy and exhaustion. Once I started, I met people who found swimming in cold water helped with anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles. Slowing down breathing when the body is in shock and telling you to get out, can apparently build resilience in times of flight, fight and freeze.  As I looked into it a bit more, I learnt how it can help heal emotional trauma*. And I found this to be true for me. I was curious as to why. As I was taking a cold early morning shower, with a bold, although not completely true declaration, of "I'd rather be co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shame

By j jones
 I have an enemy, and he's called Shame, He walks close beside me, and he knows my name He whispers, "It's your fault. You played your part. You better cover your dirty black heart." I have a companion, and he's called Shame He walks close beside me, and he knows my name. He says I'm boastful and full of pride.  My only way out is to be small and hide. I have a friend, and he's called Shame He walks close beside me, and he knows my name. He covers my back, my front and side. He makes sure I know if I let the mask slide. I have a deep flaw, and it's called shame It's deep inside me; it's in my brain. But that doesn't matter because my armour is tight.  I'm covered completely and ready to fight. I have great armour covering my shame It muffles out the sound of it shouting my name. I am not defeated or surviving but thriving; you'll see How I'm courageous and resilient in my self-sufficiency . I have a saviour. He knows my name...
Post a Comment
Read more