How very old-fashioned and religious some might say – perhaps they are right! And yet, is there something here that is misunderstood, something worth investigating to be salvaged, ‘contextualised’ and re-understood for our times?
Lent used to be about giving up biscuits and chocolates, religiously! There’s something here of an internal struggle that goes on between ‘legalism’ and ‘liberty’ or, if you prefer, ‘Law’ and ‘Grace’.
To some this may sound like secret code but to others it’s understood as the ancient reference to ‘The Trinity’! Apart from what God has revealed, much will remain mysterious as to how God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit can be three persons and yet one. Many have tried to explain this in simple terms – you may recall such examples as a three leaved clover or the three states of water in liquid, gas and ice. The featured tree trunk has three sections and yet is one – there is no metaphor that can adequately explain or help us fully comprehend ‘the Godhead’. Valiant though any attempts of ours may be from our finite end of the telescope, they will all fall short. Rather than being troubled about the hidden things, it is better to focus on what is known. ‘Trinity’ is not a word that appears in the Bible but it was first used by early theologian Tertullian. The theological understanding was finalized at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD after years of debate.
Is it both, either or neither? Many Christians feel a sense of split identity – saint or sinner? Perhaps sometimes feeling more ‘saintly’ whilst at other times feeling a ‘downright sinner’! Have you ever felt this? St Augustine was one such who agonised over the good person he wanted to be and the sinner that he publicly confessed himself to be. This painting of him portrays something of that tension. Born in 354 AD to Monica, a devout Christian, he had at least two mistresses, an illegitimate child and lived a life of life of hedonism ruled by lust and worldly ambition, famously saying: “God, grant me chastity and continence, but not yet”. Yet when he was 31, he became a follower of Christ, then the Bishop of Hippo laying down much Christian doctrine. Bishop Possidius of Calama recorded him as one who ‘ate sparingly, worked tirelessly, despised gossip, shunned the temptations of the flesh, and exercised prudence in finances’.
Mortals love portals! Technically speaking, on the one hand portals refer to gateways, doors and openings. On the other, a portal specifically means a website or web page providing access or links to other sites. It is a word that has grown in popularity and breadth of application to include video games and various secure log-in technologies. How do you understand the word? What portals would you say that you use or rely on for your everyday life or for the deeper things? With the rapid changes, today’s technology will be yesterday’s technology tomorrow! You need multiple connections to keep up but even those portals for mortals are soon out of date.
Some people are professional backsliders and some do it just for the fun of it! The first recorded use of the term ‘luge’ was in 1905 and derives from the Swiss dialect of the French word luge, meaning ‘small coasting sled’. It involves lying on your back on the luge and hurtling down either steep roads or ice tracks at speeds from 80mph upwards with great risk to life and limb. Though most injuries involve bumps, bruises, broken bones and concussions, there have been at least four fatalities in public sporting events. To lie on your back puts you in a place of exposure to risk and makes you vulnerable. Not that this cat is going anywhere fast in its backsliding! However there are many ways that a person who once felt secure in faith begins backsliding. Where will it end? Many have argued that a Christian can lose their secure position – what do you think?
No matter whether you identify with saintly John or reckless Peter, all is well for both of these were characters in need of transformation! Both were with the Lord when he was himself ‘transfigured’ in front of their eyes up that special mountain. You may have a special place where you find it easier to feel close to God, perhaps even like the one pictured, but he doesn’t need to take you there to transform you! God has been working on you, your character and your spiritual maturity ever since you first worked out that he loves you. You are a work in progress and God sees already the finished product so he’s not about to give up on you – he knows all the experiences, circumstances, people, times of plenty and want that you need in the stages of your refining. Be encouraged and recognise God’s continuing work in making you into what you will yet become.
