Behind That Pleasant Expression
Today, Speaking of Faith (see last post) was one of those episodes that I didn't agree with. Guest-dude believed that the spirit itself was a creation of human physiology. Not simple delusion, mind you, but a high-level advancement in our make-up that has allowed us to add another dimension to our consciousness. Completely all our doing. Man, are we good, or what!?! ;)
No matter, because buried in all the blah-blah-blah was an absolutely amazing quote:
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." - Plato or Philo of Alexandria
It was interesting to me that the authorship of the quote is disputed...I guess both Greeks and Egyptian Jews want to claim it. :) Anyway, it made such an impression on me that I wanted to ponder it with y'all.
Do you take for granted the smiles that people give you? What about kind words? I sure do. And I take them for granted in two ways: 1) because I don't thank people enough for them, 2) because I don't realize that those smiles and kind words are coming from people that, at that very moment, are experiencing some sort of inner turmoil.
It's that second point that the quote speaks to, and I love the definitiveness with which it says "...everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." There's no "maybe" or "probably." Everyone is, period. That's such wisdom. No one can escape struggle and angst, and moreover, not even for a split-second is the struggle not there. And, that's the truth of human existence, right? Life really is tough, and none of us make it through it unscathed.
What's interesting is that, when this harrowing revelation became clear, I could immediately see it on people's faces. I walked around the mall this afternoon, and I would catch glimpses of people. There was always tension worn on their faces...never did anybody look "100% A-OK." There was something brooding within each of them. Let me suggest that you do your own experiment. When you're at the grocery store or at work or wherever, take a moment to look at people's faces. (Now, of course, you kinda have to steal a peek without them noticing, otherwise they'll put on that facade that everybody keeps close at hand....that's another blogpost.) I guarantee you'll see the subtle marks of internal pain that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.
Of course, what is one to do with this burdensome piece of information? The quote lets us know. "Be kind." Since we all have plenty of fiery turmoil already, there's no need to fan the flames further. And, if by chance God gives us the opportunity to throw a little water on those fires, why not do it? I would surely want someone to do that for me.
And, it's that sense of reciprocity that Matthew 7:12 (The Golden Rule) mandates. But, I've got to tell you, no longer for me is the Golden Rule something to live out "just because the Bible says so." It's something to live out because each person is secretly having to fight off something, and that's already enough for them to handle. Further to that point, he or she is, consciously or subconsciously, crying out for a hand. If I am able, it's my responsibility to offer that hand; the same is true for all of us.
However, make no mistake; this discussion isn't restricted to just chance meetings with random strangers (even though it certainly covers those instances). For each of you that read the blog, you're in the midst of some struggle as well. To the extent I may not have acknowledged that fact, or not actively offered to be of support to you, I'm sorry. I don't want that to be the case anymore. At the very least, you need my prayers, in the same way that I need yours. Additionally, let me listen, if you so choose. As God's priorities oh-so-slowly become clearer to me, I don't want to fill my time watching tv or playing a game or wasting time on the Internet, if there are deeper, more important, issues at hand.
I love each of you, and my affection for you and those around us only grows, as I realize more and more that we are all struggling sojourners together.
No matter, because buried in all the blah-blah-blah was an absolutely amazing quote:
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." - Plato or Philo of Alexandria
It was interesting to me that the authorship of the quote is disputed...I guess both Greeks and Egyptian Jews want to claim it. :) Anyway, it made such an impression on me that I wanted to ponder it with y'all.
Do you take for granted the smiles that people give you? What about kind words? I sure do. And I take them for granted in two ways: 1) because I don't thank people enough for them, 2) because I don't realize that those smiles and kind words are coming from people that, at that very moment, are experiencing some sort of inner turmoil.
It's that second point that the quote speaks to, and I love the definitiveness with which it says "...everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." There's no "maybe" or "probably." Everyone is, period. That's such wisdom. No one can escape struggle and angst, and moreover, not even for a split-second is the struggle not there. And, that's the truth of human existence, right? Life really is tough, and none of us make it through it unscathed.
What's interesting is that, when this harrowing revelation became clear, I could immediately see it on people's faces. I walked around the mall this afternoon, and I would catch glimpses of people. There was always tension worn on their faces...never did anybody look "100% A-OK." There was something brooding within each of them. Let me suggest that you do your own experiment. When you're at the grocery store or at work or wherever, take a moment to look at people's faces. (Now, of course, you kinda have to steal a peek without them noticing, otherwise they'll put on that facade that everybody keeps close at hand....that's another blogpost.) I guarantee you'll see the subtle marks of internal pain that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise.
Of course, what is one to do with this burdensome piece of information? The quote lets us know. "Be kind." Since we all have plenty of fiery turmoil already, there's no need to fan the flames further. And, if by chance God gives us the opportunity to throw a little water on those fires, why not do it? I would surely want someone to do that for me.
And, it's that sense of reciprocity that Matthew 7:12 (The Golden Rule) mandates. But, I've got to tell you, no longer for me is the Golden Rule something to live out "just because the Bible says so." It's something to live out because each person is secretly having to fight off something, and that's already enough for them to handle. Further to that point, he or she is, consciously or subconsciously, crying out for a hand. If I am able, it's my responsibility to offer that hand; the same is true for all of us.
However, make no mistake; this discussion isn't restricted to just chance meetings with random strangers (even though it certainly covers those instances). For each of you that read the blog, you're in the midst of some struggle as well. To the extent I may not have acknowledged that fact, or not actively offered to be of support to you, I'm sorry. I don't want that to be the case anymore. At the very least, you need my prayers, in the same way that I need yours. Additionally, let me listen, if you so choose. As God's priorities oh-so-slowly become clearer to me, I don't want to fill my time watching tv or playing a game or wasting time on the Internet, if there are deeper, more important, issues at hand.
I love each of you, and my affection for you and those around us only grows, as I realize more and more that we are all struggling sojourners together.
posted by Trey at
3:38 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home