Die Koringkorrel moet Sterf IV

20 Oktober 2021

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”
― Elie Wiesel —

Ons sit die reis voort met ons tema oor Jesus se woorde aan ŉ klompie Grieke, “As ‘n koringkorrel nie in die grond val en sterwe nie, bly hy net een; maar as hy sterwe, bring hy ‘n groot oes in.” (Joh 12:24)

Ons het reeds gesels oor —

van stagnasie na transformasie
van die kop (cognition) na die hart (recognition)
van onvergenoegd na waardering

— en hierdie week gaan oor:

van onbetrokke (indifference) na toewyding (devotion)

Soos laas week gesê: die Heilige Drie-Eenheid vir ŉ gelukkige lewe is: thankfulness (wat kom uit ons geestesdenke / mindfulness), appreciation (wat gebore word uit die hart), and gratitude (wat gesetel is in ons siel-denke).

Hierdie week gaan oor die Heilige Drie-Eenheid van ŉ sinvolle lewe: discipline (dissipline), devotion, (toewyding), and dedication (lojaal, nougeset, met ywer, aandagtig lewe).

Sonder om enige iets verder te sê, gaan vandag se epos oor Bob Moorehead se baie bekende ‘The Paradox of Time’

Sy woorde in hierdie tyd van ŉ Kroonpespandemie is meer waar en relevant as ooit vantevore:

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less common sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart, and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.”

― Bob Moorehead

As ons dit lees en hoor en verstaan dan kom daar ŉ stille vraag: wat is vir jou belangrik, soos in regtig belangrik?

As al jou genoegens hul plek gevind het, wat pak jy in die knapsak van die hart vir jou reis vorentoe, en wat bêre jy in die spens van jou siel wat nie deur mot of roes verteer word nie?

Kan ons met dieselfde toewyding en dissipline wat ons spandeer aan ons fisiese welstand, balanseer met ons geestelike welstand?

Wat se verskil maak jou spiritualiteit aan jou verhouding met jouself, jou medemens, en met dit wat jy ken en ervaar as God?

ŉ Wetsgeleerde het vir Jesus dieselfde gevra waarop hy hom in twee sinne geantwoord het —

“Jy moet die Here jou God liefhê met jou hele hart, en met jou hele siel en met jou hele verstand. Dit is die grootste en eerste gebod. En die tweede wat hiermee gelykstaan, is jy moet jou naaste liefhê soos jouself.” — Matteus 22:37-40

Dit lyk vir my na ŉ koringkorrel wat ŉ groot oes inbring.

Geseënde week vir almal