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February 08, 2005
You May Never Know the Consequences...
So here we are again, my mind wandering back to Islam…
Do you ever wonder about the impact of your actions on the world? I know I was saying yesterday that sometimes I don’t feel like my obedience really makes any difference. And it’s true. Though in my brain, I know that this world is made up of an insanely intricate, complex web of relationships and circumstances, I still have those moments, months, years where I think I live in a bubble. I believe that what I do, or choose not to do, affects only me.
Last night, while I was over at the Heeremas’ (free laundry facilities!), an example came to mind of how untrue this is and yet how we many never know the consequences of our actions (this side of eternity)…
As Nancy and I were talking about obedience, trust, and the like, my mind circled back around to Islam. I know you’re thinking--when is she going to get beyond this topic?! I wish I could answer that question for you, but anyway…I have been thinking a lot about the Issac/Ishmael split. I mean, when it comes down to it, that’s the point at which Islam and Christianity go in vastly different directions.
According to the Bible, in Genesis 15, God tells Abraham that he will have many heirs. That he need not worry. But then in Genesis 16, Sarah is FREAKING OUT. She’s childless, there’s huge social pressure, and so she says, look Abraham, here’s what we’re going to do. She takes matters into her own hands and look at the result…
Millions of people’s eternities are being affected. Islam is the second largest religion and growing. Would Sarah have ever thought that the one decision of an old barren woman, living in the desert, could change the face of the world? And here’s the real kicker…
So Sarah blew it, I mean, really, God could have been like—look woman, I was planning on blessing you and Abraham, but now you’ve messed everything up. Sorry. Game Over. BUT NO! God still blesses them with a son. Dude! I don’t get it! How is it that God is so persistent, so loving, when we are so relentless in betraying him, distrusting him, disobeying him?
These are the things that amaze me. God loved Sarah so much. He loves US so much. Nothing is going to deter him. And yes, he does desire your obedience…but it’s for your good! Sarah could have been spared a lot of pain in her and Abraham’s relationship, in a lost relationship with Hagar if she had been obedience. But God still blesses despite our shortcomings. He cannot be unfaithful.
I really do feel like my mind is EXPLODING when I try to get my mind around these ideas. And I’m just not sure why this truth doesn’t play out in my life more often. But anyway, there’s a lot more things I’m thinking and would like to develop, but I better cut this blog off now…
Is anyone following this train of thought? Or have I lost my mind?
FYI for future SALT’ers: The Muslim Student Association is the largest student organization at UIC and Friday prayer is the largest campus event.
Posted by Autumn at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2005
Losing Steam...
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. --Hebrews 3:12-14
Well here we are…about a month into a semester where we have seen people get fired up, rally around a cause, and start to change their lives and the lives of others. And here I am…about a month into this semester and already, losing steam.
It started last Wednesday. For those of you who don’t know me, I have an incredibly busy schedule. Though I only have class from 2-5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am scheduled with meetings, work, and appointments from about 7:30 am – 11 pm every day. I don’t say this so you can compare your schedule. I don’t say this to complain. It’s just a fact. My life demands more of me than I can give on my own.
I know so many people on the Friley Team and across The Rock live lives that are just as crazy—if not more. I could spend an entire blog simply speaking of the amazement and encouragement their example is to me. Maybe I will…another time…
The point is that I have seen in my own life that I am starting to lose momentum. Homework is piling up, sleep is inconsistent, and I’ve started to slide into the complacency of my schedule (meaning, if it’s not scheduled, I don’t do it or think about it). I need to be reminded of the purpose for why I’m doing this. I need to be reminded of the battle. Do you need a reminder? If so, read on…
Saturday evening I really needed some truth. Maybe it’s just a girl thing, but somehow in my mind, even if I do what I’m supposed to do, if I can still hear my flesh whispering in my head, I feel as though my obedience counts for nothing. I had gone to dinner on my own and on the way back, I felt a nudge from God to stop and invite a girl who has been coming to The Rock to come to church on Sunday.
Did I want to? No.
Did I think it would really matter if I stopped or not? No.
Did I stop? Yes.
Then, once I got back to my floor I passed the open door of another kid I knew I should stop and invite.
Did I want to? No.
Did I think it would really matter if I stopped or not? No.
Did I walk past his door, half way down the hall, and then turn around and go back? Yes.
Guys, the battle is still ON. My spirit and my flesh are at war. I suppose that is true every day, some days are just more obvious than others. And everything is such a contradiction. The answer, which I always presume to be “Work harder! Fight it more!” is really “Surrender, I’ve got this.” And part of surrendering for me is letting go of the façade. I don’t want you guys to know that I’m weak. I want to pretend that you don’t already know, haha. But, man, as hard as this is for my prideful, independent self to admit, I need your encouragement. Goodness! We all do—look at your roommates, look at your housemates, your fellow leaders—you may think that they are doing fine, that they are going strong…maybe you’re right. If you are, it certainly isn’t going to harm anything for you to give them some extra encouragement. But if you’re wrong, if they are hurting, not saying anything could cost us all, and the kingdom, a LOT.
Well folks, it’s not deep, it’s not intellectual, but it’s honest. If anything, I hope you know from reading this that you are not alone…
Now go out and hug somebody!
…just kidding.
Posted by Autumn at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2005
Now That's Love...
My name is Autumn Hare and I am a bibliophile. I must admit I have no desire to recover from this condition.
My name is Autumn Hare and I am a hopeless sap. I must admit I have no desire to recover from this condition.
With these things said, it should be no wonder that I thought the following words, taken from my monthly Borders e-mail, were highly amusing…
"As book lovers, we often discuss the objects of our affection in terms usually employed in (significantly) other ways. We talk of how we love books. We go out for coffee and can't wait to tell a friend about the great new book we started. We say we're crazy about books.
Language aside, however, there are some refreshing differences between our relationships with books and our engagements of the human variety. While it's always nice to curl up with one in bed, for instance, a book will never hog the covers. Though they motivate us in so many ways, books will never hassle us to take out the trash. And, despite the fact that I've turned many a page while enjoying a snack, I'm yet to have a book snag the last pistachio.
Now that's love." --Borders Bookstore February promotional e-mail
So, I know this isn’t my deepest blog entry, but expect me back in full force tomorrow. I continue to ponder Islam and its effects in the world. In fact, I’m thinking about reading the Qur’an. One thought I had today on my walk to work is that I don’t want to die with Islam being the number one religion in the world. It’s number two and growing fast. As much as I love reading, I love people more and I will set my aside my desires to bring people the saving knowledge of Christ.
Now that’s love.
Posted by Autumn at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)