Pearls, these are, but not for swine, who just won’t get it.
I said I’d continue what I started, this highly abbreviated version of Jesus’ already highly abbreviated list of words to live by. Going over it myself and taking it to heart has already made a difference (again) in my approach to things, to neighbors, to dilemmas. There is a spiritual aspect to all things, and if we’ll acknowledge that and whisper God in, things change, open up, clarify, and ultimately resolve. Every mundane thing becomes somehow significant in having been noticed and cared for. We are not alone. There is a help at hand. We need only to invite, to look with internal eyes, and to knock on the door in front of us.
Or, as Jesus would say it:*
Starve worry. It adds nothing.
Behold nature’s abundant beauty . . .
won’t you be (aren’t you being) far more cared for?
God knows your needs. Believe.
Seek Him, do the right thing; all will be provided.
And don’t do tomorrow until then.
Don’t judge, or you’ll soon know how it feels to be.
What you give out is always what’s returned.
You scrutinize others but make broad allowances for yourself,
and only think no one sees it.
Know when you’re sharing your pearls, the dull of spirit will never get it.
You want something? Ask. Seek it. Knock on the door.
That’s for everybody.
Every good father is open-handed; wouldn’t God be?
Act toward everyone as if it was you receiving it . . .
it’s basic, doable, and changes everything.
And don’t follow the mindless crowd;
the right way is hard to find, but again . . . seek, ask, knock.
_______________
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
1:43 pm
More “cut to the chase” wisdom! Love it!
2:42 pm
The old adage, “Things are not what they seem” sure applies here, doesn’t it? Your paraphrases are so opposed to the current of the mindless crowd. The moral decision lies with us every waking minute. As Jesus alludes, the true test of our character is how we relate to, first, God, but then people. That longed-for, hard-to-find right way. Lord, we’re knocking.
BTW, Hyatt, thank you for sharing your painting this morning at Heritage! Powerful, and so fitting to the last station of the Cross. May God bless this piece as it impacts many at its new home in Chicago.
3:50 pm
We should met and exchanged styles about forty years ago. Which is why My Manifesto is now on page 16…I think it’s still the Intro.
I love pithy, just too hard to get there most of the time. Fragile minds and wounded hearts take pearls like lead slugs. Hungry and seeking, now them’s the folks what needs your simpletoness. Like me.
9:28 am
Gary, I so appreciate what you have to say, as I do Hyatt.
3:52 pm
Thanks Hyatt. I really needed this message today, and your brief, pithy paraphrases of Jesus’ words really cut through the difficult situation that has smothered me, and brought simple yet profound truth. Again, thank you.
4:07 pm
Good stuff, Hyatt!
8:31 pm
It would seem I’m a day late to the party but God knew I needed to read this today.
“Starve worry. It adds nothing.
Behold nature’s abundant beauty . . .
won’t you be (aren’t you being) far more cared for?
God knows your needs. Believe.
Seek Him, do the right thing; all will be provided.
And don’t do tomorrow until then.”
Thank you, Hyatt!
8:40 pm
I can just sit and think about each of those, Hyatt——– they are so true and so profound! I have read it and read it and read it. You are so wise! I could remark on each one but that would take too long, so thank you again for such pearls of wisdom to live life by so much more effectively, so much more contentedly, and with such peace revealing in God’s great light, listening to those whispers of His and loving every holy moment! Thank you! Lisa
8:44 pm
WOW…..just what I needed to hear.
Thanks Hyatt