Lent is a time I often think about choices... choosing to give up or take on "something" as a way to draw nearer to God over this 40 day journey.
That got me thinking about the quote at the top of the blog, Dumbledore's sage words to Harry in The Chamber of Secrets, about choices (and abilities):
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
It sounds just a little different when presented in the movie, you can find the clip below on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiBZKnKEElg&feature=related
One of my favorite quotes from the series, the truth of those words are lived out by Harry and his friends over and over in the books that follow Chamber.
They are also lived out over and over again in our story of faith, the Bible. A few examples:
Moses chooses to go to Pharoah and speak on behalf of God for the freedom of the Israelites, though he has long conversations with God about not having the ability to do it (Exodus 3-4)
Jeremiah chooses to speak for God, though he belives he doesn't have the ability because he is too young (Jeremiah 1)
James and John, sons of Zebedee, choose to follow Jesus, though their abilities are far more suited to work as fishermen (Mark 1)
These are just some of the choices of some of the people in the Bible, I could go on and on, to say nothing of who God chooses... but that's an entire post on it's own!
Each one listed above, including Harry, made choices that challenged them to go beyond what they thought were their abilities... and each rose to the challenge. Which in turn, effected their ability to do what was asked. Inevitably, these choices also find people meeting God along the way.
When have your choices taken you beyond what you thought were your abilities? How did you meet God there?
I often struggle with the idea of "choice." Do I really have choices? Do I choose to follow God or is the Holy Spirit making the decision for me. I know I have the ability to go out at blow all our savings at the casino... yes. But is that the kind of person I am... no. So is that a choice of mine when there's only one option?
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing about God's love through Jesus Christ, I believe in God. Is that a choice if not believing is no longer an option? What is it when you no longer have a "choice" about something?
I'm not even sure if this is making sense or if I'm saying what I'm trying to say, but I definitely struggle with it. Just a thought. Thanks for your post!
In terms of the HP narrative, I think it's all about choices--Harry's choices, Riddle's/Voldemort's choices, and other characters as well, often the choices are between good and evil in varying degrees.
ReplyDeleteAs to whether or not we have a choice when it comes to God's call and claim on us, I believe we do and I believe we can in fact say no. In fact, I believe that God wants us to choose to be in relationship with God, and that after trying over and over to communicate that message to us (humankind)--through many voices, including Moses and the prophets--God finally decided to try to get that message across by living among us and sharing the joys and sorrows of life as we know it... in Jesus.
Great conversation. I think what has come to me (by way of my own faith journey and the legacy of my faith tradition) is that we do in fact have choices...when it comes to our daily living, the way in which we use what God has given to us, etc... I choose my husband, my friends, and how to use my time (among other things).
ReplyDeleteNow...when it comes to my relationship with God...the reality is that I can't by my own power or understanding choose God. At the end of the day the ever present sinful Kelsay will always choose herself. That is the condition of sin that I am "captive" to.
Jesus said "You did not choose me but I chose you." (John 15:16) He knew that no one in their right mind would choose a savior as humble as he. Why would we choose a God who DIES?
Do we have freedom to choose? I would say "Yes". But that freedom is held captive by our own sinfulness. Thanks be to God for Jesus...and AMEN to your comment about God's final work in Jesus.
Thanks for all the great conversations Jennifer!
Thanks for the comments, Kels.
ReplyDeleteMy own faith journey and reading of scripture lead me to believe it is a choice to follow God, and that it is God’s desire not only for the created to have the choice, but to make the choice.
It is in doing so, in making the choice, that a relationship with the Creator is built.