FOOD FOR THOUGHT
(08/08/2010)
MORPHING
Cindy Hong
On
the heels of a wonderful vacation to Boston, the first Friday back to
work, July 30, “just happened” to be a 5th Friday, which in HCC-speak
means no children's activities and an evening off for me. So on this 5th
Friday, a friend's law firm “just happened” to have two club level
tickets available to the Houston Astros game. Since this friend was visiting
family in St. Louis and couldn't make the game, he generously offered
the tickets to me. With excitement, another friend and I headed toward
Minute Maid Park for a fun-filled evening. As we were nearing the vicinity
of the ballpark, we “just happened” to find free parking a couple
blocks away. Several innings into the game, the section we were sitting
in “just happened” to get coupons for free 44-ounce drinks at Sonic.
Soon after, one of the Astros' players hit a homerun, the ball smacking
the Chick-fil-a “fowl” pole, thereby giving all ticket holders free
chicken sandwiches the next day. And since the Astros “just happened”
to be playing at home that evening, Friday home games during the summer
months are followed by fireworks. All during the flashes and bangs, sitting
in the bleachers and looking up at the night sky, I couldn't help but
celebrate God's goodness and grace. Without a doubt, everything was a
gift from him. The next day I was rereading parts of Dallas Willard's
The Divine Conspiracy . He said that being overwhelmed by God's
goodness is well and wonderful, but reliance on this alone will not produce
the needed transformation in us, specifically transformation in character.
The evening was fabulous and full of God's fingerprints, inspiring me
toward praise and adoration. But unfortunately, baseball games and grand
displays of fireworks alone will not make me more like Christ. If only
transformation were that easy. So unless I intentionally arrange my life
to follow him and put forth effort in this with-God-in-Christ life we've
been called to, my inner guts will not be changed. Last Friday night I
couldn't receive fast enough, two hands too small to hold all the blessings
God was throwing my way. But now with the ballgame over, it is time to
get off the bleachers and participate with God, live according to certain
habits and spiritual rhythms so that God can make me look more like His
Son Jesus.
|
