Most would agree that we need to “stop and smell the roses”
in life, and for many, such as a
owing up, and when
she had a lot of questions as a teen, she turned to the myths and gods of
Hinduism, along with it’s circular way of viewing time and belief in
reincarnation.
I think what attracted her to this belief system is the idea
of living “in the moment” – appreciating the beauty around her – rather than looking
forward to a future reward in heaven. But
I felt like she had some misunderstandings about Christianity that caused her
to look elsewhere for this spiritual ability to “smell the roses.”
Christianity can and should cause us as Christians to be
filled with this same sense of wonder, but it comes from an unlikely place. It doesn’t come from the question “I wonder”,
as in “I wonder if I have done enough to go to heaven.” It is that sense of moral drudgery that Emma
Jane rejects, and I don’t blame her.
It also doesn’t come from the sense of being wonderful, as
in “I am so wonderful, God must really love me.” We can’t smell the roses with rose-colored
glasses on, because we will forget they have thorns. This idealistic view overlooks our own moral failures,
or can only disappointed when the world doesn’t recognize our supposed wonderfulness.
No, true wonder can only come from a place where we recognize
our own sin in comparison with God’s holiness.
Where we are aware of the punishment we deserve compared to the grace we
receive. Where we view salvation as
already received at the cross, and like the criminal we hear Jesus say “Today
you will be with me in paradise.” We are
free to live a life of wonder at God’s undeserved love, of gratitude for every
undeserved gift, and obedience in response.
Jesus told his disciples “Anyone who loves me will obey my
teaching.” He gives us the opportunity to
respond with grateful obedience, stopping to smell the roses along the
way. No drudgery. No idealistic fantasies about our own
goodness. Living with the hope of heaven
while appreciating opportunities to express gratitude in the here and now.
PS – Feel free to “sit in” on my conversation with Emma Jean. It’s on YouTube HERE
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