Monday, April 21, 2008

Numero Uno

"To think is to confine yourself to a single thought that one day stands still like a star in the world's sky." - Martin Heidegger

My intentions are to present the numerous thoughts that permeate my mind in prose so that they may not be confined to my being nor stand still like a star in the sky. Rather, I hope my thoughts will be provocative and pervasive so as to move myself and others to action.

Today, I am reflecting on a word, apokatastasis. So often the definitions we contrive fail to render the fullness of a word. Here is an attempt by some to give understanding, if not meaning to the word:


apokatastasis - A Greek word loosely translated as "restoration." In the Old Testament the Hebrew equivalent of the term referred to the return of Israel from exile (see Jer 16.15). In the New Testament apokatastasis speaks of a future time when God in Christ will restore all things in creation according to God's original intention. (italics and bold added)
- Stanley J. Grenz, et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill. 1999: p.13.

I am filled with anxiety as I struggle to find my role in the restoration of creation. There are so many possibilities, so many opportunities. At the same time, there is so little time. How is it that we know when we are truly making a contribution to the restoration process? Perhaps the question is better phrased, why do I feel as though I need to make a "significant" contribution? Then again it must be asked, what is it that I mean by "significant?" Would a Nobel Prize be "significant?" Is feeding the hungry "significant?" Does my notion of a significant contribution entail an end result of human recognition? Should not acts of love and service be carried out in such a way as to not expect any recognition? I do not believe that I have selfish underlying ambitions, rather I believe that I have such a concern for the massive tasks that must be carried out to continue the process of restoration. No, it is not selfish ambition (although one must always be careful to keep such ambitions at bay and not allow them to unknowingly take over your motivations), which is motivation for some, it is a concern for the limited amount of time that I have to make any contribution at all. Frustration grows out of the time constraint because I have not yet found one area to focus my limited time and energy. I see the needs, and the possibilities, however, I have not found the intersection with my own humble abilities to which I can passionately apply myself. The frustration adds to the anxiety because of the time constraints!

Enough of the anxious ramblings, the following posts, will be a series of examinations of my current beliefs. I have not yet examined all of my beliefs in writing, so I am hopeful they will turn out to be coherent!