Wednesday, December 27, 2006

yet to be


“You will have nothing but love
Nothing but hope, blue sky above
You will find nothing but peace
Nothing but the sun shining on your face

When you open your eyes

You will feel nothing but free
Nothing but trust that's how it should be
And one who cares about nothing but you
Watching close by the whole night through

When you open your eyes.”


~Mike Oldfield, Nothing But


Indeed it is a gift not to be dismissed, to have the ability to see. Clear vision is an almost effortless ingenuity that allows us to recognize a situation and notice open doors and possibilities. For those whose perceptive skills are finely tuned, potential can be glaringly obvious. Conversely, visionaries have the added dilemma of respectfully comprehending those who, for their own reasons, cannot bring themselves to see what is good. Frequently, the limitation lies in forms of prejudice- an irrational unwillingness to acknowledge worthy promise. The prejudging can take on varying aspects of unchecked bigotry, as much as a constricting naïveté that has yet to be challenged. Still further, the formidable twin saboteurs known as apathy and lethargy serve as obstructions to clear sightedness.

A wise and trusted friend and I were talking about the two-edged gift of sensitivity. Amidst intense anguish, with a memory of how this culture frowns upon the sensitive and vulnerable, I denounced the worth of compassionate awareness. It all looked to me like a debilitating course of overconcern and so much more work than the average person should be subjected to assume. But the alternative state, that of insensitivity and neglect, is so much more detrimental to personal growth and to participation in this existence and in the lives of those around us, that one would find themselves in far worse of a disjointedness from this precious life through which we only travel once. My good friend pointed out that as much as those who are sensitive are open to the pains of rejection and misunderstanding, we are equally open to the sublime, to beauty, and to profound joy. The successive outworking is that we who choose not to be calloused and cynical are also those who freely and gratefully give.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this blog! I believe we must be open and sensitive to love and to r4eceive love. We must trust God (christ ) to heal our brokeness if/when we are rejected. Giving for the sake of pleasing Jesus Christ frees us from the expectation of receiving anything in return from the person that we have given too. If nothing is expected in return then any positive response however small or belated is then greatly appreciated. An unexpected joy!

Anne said...

Ok, I see, I think. You write from a broken heart. Yes? I so get that. Hasn't everyone been there at one time or another. It's a pain that can never be forgotten. You have my prayers of compassion and understanding. I also believe that writing is a healing balm and I am sure by now you have discovered that for yourself, I hope. To me, words are love, because they all come stem from the eternal word, Jesus. There is no greater comfort.