(warning, my grammar is really bad, this entry and future blog entries will consistently be grammatically awful)
The Kingdom and Chili
Over the past month something foundational in my manhood occurred. You might be thinking that perhaps I became a father, maybe conquered some long lasting fears, or decided to purchase Dewalt’s latest belt sander. Although I long for each of those, the truth is the past month I figured out the secret to making Chili that in the word of one Snoop Dizzle, is completely off the “hizzy”. This Chili is one that I struggle to even type or talk about, its that good, so good that it went from Jon’s chili, to Jon’s famous chili in a matter of a month.
I found that while time is critical, the choice of seasonings very important, however the thing that sets chili apart is what I’m now classifying as the “spice collision”. Let me explain. Most would think to stick with a central flavor or dominant spice, well that’s what I thought as well pre J.F.C (Jon’s famous chili). The break through in my chili pot occurred when two distinct spices met each other at the beautiful intersection of sweet and sassy! Yes this collision of pure goodness has brought me to an entirely new place. I’ve always been quite sissified with my chili, however adding the sweet component is something that I’ve overlooked, and this oversight mind you is very common among the C.A.C (Chili Artisan Community).
So what might this have to do with the Kingdom of God, perhaps nothing but potentially a fresh outlook at the world we find ourselves living in. This afternoon I spent an hour or so in the woods praying, reflecting, journaling, and listening to God. As I sat in the pristine, autumn painted landscape my eyes and heart were overwhelmed with Gods beauty, craftsmanship, and creativity. The blue sky served as a perfect canvas illuminating the fall leaves in colors ranging from yellow to orange. The air was deceivingly clean (cold air deceives us in thinking its clean, especially in chi-town) and the noise, well there wasn’t any. The woods that I was spending time in today are part of Mundelein Seminary, a mulit-hundred acre estate that hosts a Catholic Seminary and retreat center. The acreage at this place continue to serve as an out door sanctuary for me, and as I sat there spooning in the stillness my soul was brought to a place of rest. And those of you that know me know that in itself is a miracle. As the quiet got quieter, it happened. From out of nowhere the sounds of an authentic Dukes of Hazzard Police chase emerged from what seemed like the woods I was sitting in. Po-po sirens were blaring, tires screeching, there was no doubt in my mind that this chase was legit. Within seconds my once pristine sanctuary of stillness now shared residency with that of chaos.
So I sat there taking this in and felt God remind me of Matthew 5:14 “you are a the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” This experience is reality, this is life, this is what we find ourselves living in. The world we live in consists of the constant collision of death and life, health and sickness, heaven and hell, noise and silence, order and chaos, and yes you guessed it; sweet and sassy! And while I’d like to change the fact that we’re in the already not yet Kingdom I’m realizing that I cant. I wish that the Kingdom was fully here and we didn’t have the sirens and police chases in our life that seem to continually disrupt our seasons of rest but this is life until the Kingdom comes in its fullness.
Today I felt God telling me that this collision is actually something that can be good, the collision between heaven and hell that we live in daily can be perhaps provide the environment for light to shine even brighter in a world of darkness. Jesus didn’t say in Matthew to be a city on a hill and if so then the darkness will forever leave that city, no that day will come when the author of Light himself comes back to finish the restoration that he started. Until then Jesus helps us see that daily our path of light will intersect with the path of darkness, and when this collision occurs be encouraged that as we “walk in the light, as he is in the light” people will see Truth, people will see another way to live, people will see me.
When this happens it’s a beautiful collision!
Lets Chat.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
"I’ve always been quite sissified with my chili, however adding the sweet component is something that I’ve overlooked, and this oversight mind you is very common among the C.A.C (Chili Artisan Community)."
This is a common mistake with the uneducated chili creators...frequently made by those whos chili does not have the required amount of spicy-inducing ingedients. If your nose isn't running by the end of the bowl, you many not be able to call it chili. I shall refer to your creation, henceforth, as John's Meat Concoction.
To speak on a serious topic, I say that the collision that is occuring is friction caused by God's Kingdom "rubbing" up against the Sinner's Kingdom. It's a place where our lives are impacted with Christ and decision are made. Who's team colors are you wearing? Who's name is across your chest? Where is the ball on field? What purpose do we exist in this "battlefield" of sorts? The beautiful collison is when we have been sieged by the Dark Forces for days, week, months...and then God, with one swoop, breaks us and all that away. All it takes is one moment...one moment to undo in us so much damage.
Don't worry Jon...with the proper training, and strict discipline...we can un-sissify your chili.
-jeff
Bro you kill me! I'm laughing out loud. Your chili does cause pain, serious pain. My palet (sp. questionable) still hasnt recovered. The beautiful collison is when we have been sieged by the Dark Forces for days, week, months...and then God, with one swoop, breaks us and all that away" bro thats beutifully put. I'm so humbled that each day God invites us to take part in that collision. Gods continual method of bringing light into darkness is when His redeemed live a life of love and Truth. WE are carriers of light, lets shine today!
Jp
this reminds me a lot of psalm 18:6-19
6 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded. [c]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
as we are struggling with anything- sin, life, judgments, relationships, temptation, etc... God is so hurt and is crying out if we commit any sinful act. if we are hurting, He is hurting so much more. he is screaming out at the top of his lungs for Satan to let go of us.
and in true God fashion, He makes His presense known all around. DARK CLOUDS, LIGHTNING, THUNDER, WIND and swoosh! He comes down and grabs you and holds you in his arms.
this is a battle we are fighting everyday. everyday we are tempted and when we are tempted that is God speaking to us saying, heres your chance to turn back.
-bobby bo
Post a Comment