"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!
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2 comments:
I think the desire to make a 'significant' contribution to the restoration is not at all ego-centric or selfish. It is just a search for personal meaning, which involves fitting into reality and doing one's part, whatever it is.
I like these quotes from C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory (which by the way is my all time favorite essay of his):
"...The work of a Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly "as to the Lord." This does not, of course, mean that it is for anyone a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow..."
"...A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and office of his trade, and yet they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and every one by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all the members of the body serve one another..."
-- Andrew Koehl
BTW I like your site!
Thanks for the insight. Finding personal meaning and fitting into reality seems to be something that I consciously struggle with from time to time. Your reference from C.S. Lewis is quite appropriate. I too am a fan of C.S. Lewis. Another man I have found wisdom from in these situations is Martin Luther King Jr. Specifcally, when he writes, "If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well." (I am not sure where the quote comes from originally, but it is at least attributed to King.) Thanks again for the encouragement. I am glad you like the blog. - Justin
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