EDIM 27 - Lost Ones
Silver Leaves (for background music if you so choose)
For the most part, my envisioning of the lost's purposes for life have been highly drear. Having been raised with the promises of God nearby (though not held in full belief by myself until 15), understanding reasons for living apart from such hope has been slightly elusive. Without Christ, why persist? Especially with faith in nothing, what is there to live for? I've always assumed that the greatest reason would consist of bringing pleasure in whatever form to oneself. Having lived in such pursuit myself, it seemed early on that any escalation or greater level of attainment in my pursuits would result in no more happiness than I already had, which was, none. To live for oneself meant pain for any around that I tendered care for. Don't think that selfishness can cause otherwise.
However depressing, it's interesting to observe. Though reasons may still be self-centered, instead of giving over to hopelessness and suicide, a good many throw themselves upon and into something in particular. Something naturally inclined to their own personality quite often. The world, corrupt and ugly as it is has begun to look brighter to me than it has in the past. There is beauty still, hearkening to past perfection. Yesterday I had an hour drive to and from yet another graduation party; scenery is never so quickly revealed and passed by in detail than while traveling by car. Clouds ranging and mingling from feathery wisps resemblant of light hands to cotton candy or puffy blobs closer to marshmallows and cauliflower heads. Bright green baby corn stalks evenly lining gently rolling fields. Trees, always reassuring in quiet vigilance, house to creatures of many kinds. Ever visible whether in forefront or along distant fence. What is seen will vary from place to place, but the beauty of creation despite serious corruption is the same wherever.
Not in limit to nature only, beauty and amazement and good can be found in many ways. Music, causes, skills and professions, hobbies, art, sport, challenge. Not inherently evil, rather preoccupation capable of consuming time and attention to a point of obsession.
So a good many of the lost seem to choose to ignore hopelessness, instead grasping to the point of drowning in something of entrancement to them, negating and nullifying their former stark reality. Clutching illusionary hope as contrived by them. Whether you are one to do so or not does bear thought. I would be remiss to claim such as the sole reasoning for lost one's avoidance of suicide or abject personal degradation, but it bears writing about. From my limited view, it becomes quite prominent.
Romans 1:18-23, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
Romans 10:10-15, "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
For the most part, my envisioning of the lost's purposes for life have been highly drear. Having been raised with the promises of God nearby (though not held in full belief by myself until 15), understanding reasons for living apart from such hope has been slightly elusive. Without Christ, why persist? Especially with faith in nothing, what is there to live for? I've always assumed that the greatest reason would consist of bringing pleasure in whatever form to oneself. Having lived in such pursuit myself, it seemed early on that any escalation or greater level of attainment in my pursuits would result in no more happiness than I already had, which was, none. To live for oneself meant pain for any around that I tendered care for. Don't think that selfishness can cause otherwise.
However depressing, it's interesting to observe. Though reasons may still be self-centered, instead of giving over to hopelessness and suicide, a good many throw themselves upon and into something in particular. Something naturally inclined to their own personality quite often. The world, corrupt and ugly as it is has begun to look brighter to me than it has in the past. There is beauty still, hearkening to past perfection. Yesterday I had an hour drive to and from yet another graduation party; scenery is never so quickly revealed and passed by in detail than while traveling by car. Clouds ranging and mingling from feathery wisps resemblant of light hands to cotton candy or puffy blobs closer to marshmallows and cauliflower heads. Bright green baby corn stalks evenly lining gently rolling fields. Trees, always reassuring in quiet vigilance, house to creatures of many kinds. Ever visible whether in forefront or along distant fence. What is seen will vary from place to place, but the beauty of creation despite serious corruption is the same wherever.
Not in limit to nature only, beauty and amazement and good can be found in many ways. Music, causes, skills and professions, hobbies, art, sport, challenge. Not inherently evil, rather preoccupation capable of consuming time and attention to a point of obsession.
So a good many of the lost seem to choose to ignore hopelessness, instead grasping to the point of drowning in something of entrancement to them, negating and nullifying their former stark reality. Clutching illusionary hope as contrived by them. Whether you are one to do so or not does bear thought. I would be remiss to claim such as the sole reasoning for lost one's avoidance of suicide or abject personal degradation, but it bears writing about. From my limited view, it becomes quite prominent.
Romans 1:18-23, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
Romans 10:10-15, "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Comments
Post a Comment