Tag: battle

Enlightenment

Posted on by Olaf

What do you see in the picture?  People perceive, analyse and imagine in different ways but for this challenge there is only one right answer.  Enlightenment will come as you read on!  The very word ‘enlightenment’ can be taken in three ways – simply, it could be the process where someone is given greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.  It can also refer to a spiritual opening of the eyes or to a European movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries. More of that to come but first, how much of life is shaped by conspiracy theories, shadowy speculations and secret societies, some of which were created during the ‘Age of Enlightenment’? There are those who claim to have special knowledge which can lead to cults being formed, rituals being practiced and controlling power being wielded. Human beings are drawn to these darker things.

  • ‘I think the Enlightenment is leading us into a dark hole, really’ – David Hockney

BURNING CURIOSITY

Posted on by Olaf

Have you ever noticed how a healthy child learns?  They don’t stop to think ‘I must learn’, they just do it through in-built curiosity.  And so the child progresses from ignorance to knowledge, which can lead on to wisdom or to folly depending on the lesson learnt!  The mature person is never too old to learn but the immature person thinks they already know it all.  Moses acquired a lot of knowledge in his Egyptian classrooms from his tutors but God had some bigger lessons to teach him, so he took him into the wilderness.  Tired of tending sheep, Moses became curious when he noticed a bush that blazed but did not burn up – that was the beginning of his personal tutorial with God.  Any bushes burning around you?  Ready to learn something new with God?!

  • ‘Never lose a holy curiosity’ – Albert Einstein

HEAVENLY ARMOUR

Posted on by Olaf

What is your experience of the Christian life?  Some say Christianity is a crutch for the weak but to follow Christ is to choose the narrow uphill path, tough-going at times and beset with battles as those who travel this path well know.  Many get bruised and battered, some fall by the wayside or just give up and pursue what seems to be an easier way.  Science Fiction depicts super heroes that have awesome armour and carry amazing weapons – take Darth Vader’s Helmet with Breastplate, a Jedi’s Lightsabre or Captain America’s Shield.  Of far greater worth than these fictional items is the heavenly armour that the Apostle Paul describes to support Christians on each one’s epic tough journey.  Can you describe it, visualise it and do you wear it?