…for in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28
The Heavenly View Book Club recently read The Shack, by William Paul Young – I have read this book three times and each time something else jumps off the page and hits me in the heart in a profound way. The story is very controversial. All one has to do is Google The Shack and you can review a myriad of opinions! Some extremely negative, some encouraging, and some even dangerously cruel. As with most things, you can take away something of value and leave the rest gaily alone! (That was for my friend, Joy!)
I keep a notebook with my book club comments and the pages for The Shack are full of quotes that spoke to me and blessed me with more than several “a-ha” moments.
In the chapter titled, “Verbs and Other Freedoms”, Mackenzie, Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu are having a discussion around the table about rules versus mercy and grace. After much conversation about the law, expectancy and expectation, and a list of etceteras, they hung out at priorities for two pages of profound dialogue. All of us, at one time or another, have most likely listed our priorities as: God, spouse, family, work, church – I know I have. But, listen to what Jesus says to Mackenzie:
“Mack, I don’t want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile where everything in your life — friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities — is connected to Me but moves with the wind, in and out, back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.” “And I,” concluded Sarayu, “I am the Wind.”
What a picture that paints for me. Everything in my life moves and breathes by the power of Holy Spirit (the Wind) – I don’t want to restrict my life to priorities and rules. I must be quiet enough to sense the blowing wind (Holy Spirit) moving me this way or that way. Prompting me and impressing upon me to act. If God is the center of my life or wind chime, then He, as the great Three-in-One, is Who influences the movements of the other parts: family/work/friends/church/hobbies/activities/times of rest/my thoughts/and all of the minutia of life. The standards for my life come from the Word of God – the Living Word is my plumbline – I measure everything according to His Word and His Truth. Plainly, it just makes everything easier. Maybe instead of what would Jesus do? Maybe we should consider what Jesus wouldn’t do. Now, there’s a paradigm. I’ll let you chew on that one for a while!
I don’t think I will ever look upon a wind chime in the same way. God, my All-in-all, being the “long” center piece directing all the other shorter pieces to move this way and that way and the beautiful sounds that come from the chimes when the breezes blow through my life. It is sweet, sweet music!
Enjoy the breeze!
Wow, Susan! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. You’ve made me want to read the book again.
Love ya!
A.R.R.
Annual Required Reading!
♥ Your writing pal…
Ken/Diana, I couldn’t agree more – great book. Young totally blew up the proverbial box human doings tend to keep Him in!
Beverly, I have not read anything else by Young. Have you? Book Club is a great encouragement. Thanks for visiting my blog – please come back often!
Hi Susan!
Great article!!! I can’t wait until you come here!!! You will see why. I LOVE the analogy of chimes and moving with the Spirit! I often say He is singing to me when I listen as the wind blows…sometimes fiercely and sometimes so gently it is like a baby’s breath on my cheek. The interaction of each chambered tube with the others in unison – making such distinct melodies —WHAT a GOD we have!!!!
I loved this!!! Thank you 🙂
Oh Susan , you hit the nail on the head! What a writer you are, and what a book, The Shack is. Everyone should read it and then read it again. Have your highlighter w/ you when you read it, and make notes. It says so much, about Love, Forgiveness, Trust, And Laughing with our Lord and Savior. For Him to Love us that much, that he would want to spend time with us, just talk with us, and let us walk on water with Him. I Can’t Wait to Walk on the Water with Him!
Susan,
Sitting here thinking about your quote from the book and your comments
in relation to the wind chime. I too have made the list you spoke of. I am ashamed to confess, but it reminds me of my daily planner. The list of “To do’s” for the day. #1—Devotions #2–Clean house #3— and so on. It all makes sense to me now, why He shouldn’t be on the list. and why I can never do the list in the order I write it down. He is constantly interjecting all throughout the day, even to the point at times of totally re-arranging my list all together. I make the list knowing that I will drop whatever I am doing when He calls. As for the list, as Clint Eastwood says: I improvise. I take what is left over at the end of the day and re-write the list for the next day. He isn’t satisfied with being # one or just first. He is all through the list and the day, He is in and about everything that I do. He brings the peace, and joy and excitement in a still and quiet way. Just like the gentle breeze you spoke of that when it hits your face, will stop you in the middle of what you are doing and cause you to stand in awe and praise Him at the kitchen window. Like the smell of something wonderful in the air that you weren’t expecting. And the music of the wind chime plays in Father’s ear as we rejoice in the moment of our continual encounters with Him, throughout the day. May the wind chime of our lives always, be a sweet, sweet sound in His ear! Just like this moment. Thanks
I love that!!!! Great visual of the Wind Chime being our center. I have also read that book twice now and came away with so much more than the first. One of my “a-ha” moments was when Jesus said to Mack, “You are free to love without an agenda” (pg.183). No strings attached, no judgement, just LOVE no matter what. Whew…….that’s what I am most thankful for on this day, Jesus loving me no matter what!!!!!
I loved the book. Young presented a LOVING Jesus that many writers have not/can not convey to their readers. I have lots to learn about “swaying with the breeze” but I am ready, willing and able to learn. Jesus is so much more than a list of rules and regulations. If we were to ever realize just how FREE we are in Christ, I think it’d frighten most of us!
Lord………..let your wind blow….and don’t pass me over………………………….
You said it wonderfully……is that a breeze I feel……………………………
Hope.
This blog is one more brick in the house of hope that you have allowed God to build in you. You have lifted numerous people, including me, with the daily reminder that God is a hope-giver. My favorite scripture regarding hope is: Faith is the substance of things “hoped” for, the evidence of things not seen”. Hope is knowing that the same God who made us walks with us every moment of every day.
Thank you for giving all of us readers MORE hope…..!
I love the visual you shared…and I love wind chimes! I read The Shack several years ago; and did not have a notebook handy! As with all books I read, there are often quotes and words I’d like to save…I keep reading and don’t stop to jot them down. I need to start reading with a notebook handy – going back to those pages after reading more…doesn’t always work!
Thanks for sharing…I am with you, wind chimes will have a much different meaning for me now!
In Him we move and breathe…Thanks for the stop-over, Barbara.