I've been asking many of my friends lately if they have read the book, The Shack, yet. Most have not but want to. I have read it and look forward to reading it again now that I know how the 'story' ends. There is alot to take in and process, and it is that information that requires another read. If you can't tell, I highly recommend the book. Here are my ramblings.
I love the book in that it shows what I do believe to be the heart of God - relationship with His children. The author tells and reveals an amazing relationship with God/Papa and Nan and the development of one between God and Mac. All throughout the story, you can see the pursuit of God with Mac and Mac with God. It is done with such patience and gentility but at the same time God is still God and doesn't let Mac get away with easy sarkasim, anger, questions or comebacks. The innerchange between Papa/Jesus/Sarayu (I think this is the name for the Holy Spirit used in the book) and Mac is so well written. He's not allowed to just think his thoughts (even though God knows them), but he has to voice them out loud and let them be heard. I like that. There is power in putting our thoughts into spoken words - good and bad. Mac's are finally spoken and answered without judgment! How wonderful that would be, eh, to not be judged for voicing questions, doubts or fears?
What if I could meet God at the Shack? Would I even believe my own experience? There is so much "evidence" (and I use that word losely) that says if you experience this or that, no you really didn't it was just something else. Nice and clear, I know.
But here's a story for an example, I had an experience that happened one night in Dallas. I choose not to go in to detail beyond what you need to understand my point. Anyway, one night I awaken to not being able to move any part of my body, my eyes are open and I can see and I can hear. What I'm not sharing with you is what I saw or heard. But from this experience, I've been told I was still asleep - somewhere between dreaming and awake and in this place we have that sense of being awake and yet unable to move. Science has proven this, however, it has not proven that voices or visions are a part of that state of being nor pain, nor destroyed property that was not apart of me. You read correctly - I had property destroyed and moved because of a dream - at least according to science. In this case, science is lacking - greatly.
But back to my question, would I believe it? I ask this because I had well meaning friends and strangers comment on my experience as I shared it (more freely than I do today - wonder why?) and was basically told I had a bad dream. It made me question my own experience and worse doubt it. This is one of the problems I see with today - we do not trust our own experiences because they are not tangible or testable by science. But this is another soap box for another day. I digress.
I hope I would believe such an experience as I still do the one I just mentioned. You see, I can understand what is being explained to me about science and dream states, but what no one else can understand is what happened to me that night. I know I will not be able to tell my story and have someone understand completely or even believe me, but it doesn't change the reality of the event.
Then what would I ask or say or do? I guess it depends on the day and the hour. Today, I would probably yell that I don't understand. I don't understand so much hatred for Christ as His is a message of Love - the Ultimate Gift. I don't understand why He made it so hard to believe. I don't understand why love is suppose to be enough but all too often isn't. I don't understand why one person can see Truth and believe and why another is blinded. I don't understand why we're asked to love when the potential and probability of return is pain. I don't understand how He could do all that He's done for this world knowing it would reject Him, hurt Him, abuse Him and turn Him away. He could have made a world that loved Him, accepted Him and worshiped Him. Or even a world where the statement, "all paths lead to the same place" is true and there would be no division over who was right or wrong. I don't understand. Today, these are my yellings.
I'm sure tomorrow will be different. There is alot I don't understand. And yet peace that I don't have to know or understand everything. I'm not saying I have peace in the not knowing/understanding, but that it's not mine to figure out. I have been called to love God with all that I am and (was reminded this morning) my neighbors too. That is my goal - I'm not there yet by any means and may never be fully this side of heaven, but I can keep trying.
I think I started this blog about a book. Ah, yes, The Shack. The book touches on some of what I'm rambling about and I want to really re-read it before I comment much more. I'm also hoping that someone will read the book and want to discuss it as much as I do. I know the blog has the potential of reaching someone who doesn't know me or live around me. Hey, I can type (obviously) and we can chat. I'd like that.
BTW - I'd love to meet God/Papa at the Shack and talk face to face and have the option of going home with Him or returning to this world. Hmm....there is an interesting question (for another day). Would you return or go home?
I love the book in that it shows what I do believe to be the heart of God - relationship with His children. The author tells and reveals an amazing relationship with God/Papa and Nan and the development of one between God and Mac. All throughout the story, you can see the pursuit of God with Mac and Mac with God. It is done with such patience and gentility but at the same time God is still God and doesn't let Mac get away with easy sarkasim, anger, questions or comebacks. The innerchange between Papa/Jesus/Sarayu (I think this is the name for the Holy Spirit used in the book) and Mac is so well written. He's not allowed to just think his thoughts (even though God knows them), but he has to voice them out loud and let them be heard. I like that. There is power in putting our thoughts into spoken words - good and bad. Mac's are finally spoken and answered without judgment! How wonderful that would be, eh, to not be judged for voicing questions, doubts or fears?
What if I could meet God at the Shack? Would I even believe my own experience? There is so much "evidence" (and I use that word losely) that says if you experience this or that, no you really didn't it was just something else. Nice and clear, I know.
But here's a story for an example, I had an experience that happened one night in Dallas. I choose not to go in to detail beyond what you need to understand my point. Anyway, one night I awaken to not being able to move any part of my body, my eyes are open and I can see and I can hear. What I'm not sharing with you is what I saw or heard. But from this experience, I've been told I was still asleep - somewhere between dreaming and awake and in this place we have that sense of being awake and yet unable to move. Science has proven this, however, it has not proven that voices or visions are a part of that state of being nor pain, nor destroyed property that was not apart of me. You read correctly - I had property destroyed and moved because of a dream - at least according to science. In this case, science is lacking - greatly.
But back to my question, would I believe it? I ask this because I had well meaning friends and strangers comment on my experience as I shared it (more freely than I do today - wonder why?) and was basically told I had a bad dream. It made me question my own experience and worse doubt it. This is one of the problems I see with today - we do not trust our own experiences because they are not tangible or testable by science. But this is another soap box for another day. I digress.
I hope I would believe such an experience as I still do the one I just mentioned. You see, I can understand what is being explained to me about science and dream states, but what no one else can understand is what happened to me that night. I know I will not be able to tell my story and have someone understand completely or even believe me, but it doesn't change the reality of the event.
Then what would I ask or say or do? I guess it depends on the day and the hour. Today, I would probably yell that I don't understand. I don't understand so much hatred for Christ as His is a message of Love - the Ultimate Gift. I don't understand why He made it so hard to believe. I don't understand why love is suppose to be enough but all too often isn't. I don't understand why one person can see Truth and believe and why another is blinded. I don't understand why we're asked to love when the potential and probability of return is pain. I don't understand how He could do all that He's done for this world knowing it would reject Him, hurt Him, abuse Him and turn Him away. He could have made a world that loved Him, accepted Him and worshiped Him. Or even a world where the statement, "all paths lead to the same place" is true and there would be no division over who was right or wrong. I don't understand. Today, these are my yellings.
I'm sure tomorrow will be different. There is alot I don't understand. And yet peace that I don't have to know or understand everything. I'm not saying I have peace in the not knowing/understanding, but that it's not mine to figure out. I have been called to love God with all that I am and (was reminded this morning) my neighbors too. That is my goal - I'm not there yet by any means and may never be fully this side of heaven, but I can keep trying.
I think I started this blog about a book. Ah, yes, The Shack. The book touches on some of what I'm rambling about and I want to really re-read it before I comment much more. I'm also hoping that someone will read the book and want to discuss it as much as I do. I know the blog has the potential of reaching someone who doesn't know me or live around me. Hey, I can type (obviously) and we can chat. I'd like that.
BTW - I'd love to meet God/Papa at the Shack and talk face to face and have the option of going home with Him or returning to this world. Hmm....there is an interesting question (for another day). Would you return or go home?
1 comment:
Just finished reading this a few weeks ago...my mother-in-law gave it to me...now Scott has it. I could NOT put it down...I think it is a MUST read. Thanks for sharing!
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