Skip to main content

A Different Sort of River Illustration

 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (II Corinthians 10:4-6)

 

In chapter 6 of Renovation of the Heart, Prof. Willard starts talking about warfare. He doesn’t describe it as such, but he describes ideas and images as being the problems, and information and thinking as being solutions. This brings to mind self-talk and the discovery of repetition creates new neural pathways in the brain. And that brings to mind Newton’s Second Law, that an object in motion continues in the same direction at the same speed unless acted on by another force. We cannot get rid of, change, or move bad ideas or images without the use of mental force.

I’ve written before about the thought experiment of trying to swim upriver, across a river, or down river. In each instance, the swimmer is fighting against the current in some way. Usually, I use this illustration to describe peace. This time, think of the current as being ideas and images. We tend to float along with them. Even when we do try to fight the current, it’s like trying to row a canoe with a fly swatter. Information gives us a bigger paddle.

But there are two images that come to mind. The first is from The Lord of the Rings and (I believe) from The Little Mermaid. If there are two people paddling the canoe and they’re facing each other, the canoe isn’t likely to go anywhere except where the current takes it. If you’re going to have someone in your canoe, make sure you’re paddling in the same direction. I also know from experience that one needs to paddle on the left side, and the other on the right. The other image that comes to mind is from my own experience. I was alone in a 16-foot canoe, and in the back – which means the wind got into the act, pushing the bow in directions I didn’t want. I finally made it to shore by back paddling.

The application I take from both these is that God is the best other person to have in the canoe with you, but at the very least, have someone who is headed in the same direction and has a clue what he/she is doing because their added weight at the other end of the canoe, and added strength and skill is a great help. You still may have to work hard to get your mind to overcome the ideas and images that have been dragging you where you don’t want to go, but it is easier than when you’re alone.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more