Today, I'd like to touch on one thing we all want and intensely desire:
Freedom.
Think of it. The righteous who truly understand the purpose of God's commandments obey to obtain it. The wicked disobey, seeking freedom from what they deem "restrictive rules". Over history, we have seen in a thousand instances scores of lives lost because a people wished to be free, the same people who had everything else -- water, food, shelter, loved ones -- and went to war, dying fighting to be free rather than living under bondage. This universal desire of all living things (even arguably non-living things) was a critical factor in the founding of the American Colonies. Due to my religious persuasion, may I even share how this emerges in ancient scripture:
What a transcendent word! And how fitting of a descriptor, for this is what we are after, the transcendent principles and dispositions of humankind -- the barrier-removers. I talked with a well-enlightened individual while I was in California. I met him on my mission, and I returned to the same immaculate and open one-room apartment he lived in. He had a refrigerator, stove, even desk and personal computer, but dishes, clothes, books, and random items you come to expect in a lived-in space were completely absent -- all neatly tucked away in cabinets and closed closets. The ratio of square footage of the room to walking space was nearly 1:1. He knows I've come to California and have bicycled across the Central Valley and along the Pacific Coast. Him and his friend have this great interchange (names are changed):
Paul: I can't come over tonight, a friend is coming over to talk
Norman: What? Who?
Paul: A missionary who served here a while ago. He called me up and said [in essense], "Hey I'm in town. I've always thought you were really interesting, so I'd love to come and say hi".
Norman: What?! So he just called and randomly wants to come over.
P: Yeah, so. . .
N: So aren't you afraid he is trying to convert you? That he just wants to make you a Mormon?
P: No. No. He's just coming to talk
N: So, what's the deal, is he gay? He just shows up out of nowhere.
P: Can't it just be that I'm interesting? What? So I'm not interesting?
N: (laughs, realizing Paul is playfully dodging the gist of the questions) No, no, of course its not that. But don't you think its just a little odd that he pops in like this?
P: He's a sincere and upfront person. He was that way when I met him a year ago. I'm glad to have him come over and talk about life.
I step inside and we get to talking. There is little to no conversation about people, places, or things -- just ideas. I could talk to him for ages. We get to talking about freedom. He says, "We are all seeking freedom. We all find different ways of getting it. Like me, with my room. I'm free from clutter and unburdened by things. You, with your bicycle, seeing the country-side". And he is too correct. Isn't that such a deep-seated desire?
I had some incredible experiences to this tune over the past couple of days, but I will have to wait until I get the consent of those involved before I share. Check back soon! Life is an endless tapestry of the most beautiful threads, and never stops being woven nor patch-worked to other weaves!
Freedom.
Think of it. The righteous who truly understand the purpose of God's commandments obey to obtain it. The wicked disobey, seeking freedom from what they deem "restrictive rules". Over history, we have seen in a thousand instances scores of lives lost because a people wished to be free, the same people who had everything else -- water, food, shelter, loved ones -- and went to war, dying fighting to be free rather than living under bondage. This universal desire of all living things (even arguably non-living things) was a critical factor in the founding of the American Colonies. Due to my religious persuasion, may I even share how this emerges in ancient scripture:
1) And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may
redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they
are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing
good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon,
save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last
day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all
things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are
free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great
Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according
to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all
men might be miserable like unto himself.
2) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
What a transcendent word! And how fitting of a descriptor, for this is what we are after, the transcendent principles and dispositions of humankind -- the barrier-removers. I talked with a well-enlightened individual while I was in California. I met him on my mission, and I returned to the same immaculate and open one-room apartment he lived in. He had a refrigerator, stove, even desk and personal computer, but dishes, clothes, books, and random items you come to expect in a lived-in space were completely absent -- all neatly tucked away in cabinets and closed closets. The ratio of square footage of the room to walking space was nearly 1:1. He knows I've come to California and have bicycled across the Central Valley and along the Pacific Coast. Him and his friend have this great interchange (names are changed):
Paul: I can't come over tonight, a friend is coming over to talk
Norman: What? Who?
Paul: A missionary who served here a while ago. He called me up and said [in essense], "Hey I'm in town. I've always thought you were really interesting, so I'd love to come and say hi".
Norman: What?! So he just called and randomly wants to come over.
P: Yeah, so. . .
N: So aren't you afraid he is trying to convert you? That he just wants to make you a Mormon?
P: No. No. He's just coming to talk
N: So, what's the deal, is he gay? He just shows up out of nowhere.
P: Can't it just be that I'm interesting? What? So I'm not interesting?
N: (laughs, realizing Paul is playfully dodging the gist of the questions) No, no, of course its not that. But don't you think its just a little odd that he pops in like this?
P: He's a sincere and upfront person. He was that way when I met him a year ago. I'm glad to have him come over and talk about life.
I step inside and we get to talking. There is little to no conversation about people, places, or things -- just ideas. I could talk to him for ages. We get to talking about freedom. He says, "We are all seeking freedom. We all find different ways of getting it. Like me, with my room. I'm free from clutter and unburdened by things. You, with your bicycle, seeing the country-side". And he is too correct. Isn't that such a deep-seated desire?
I had some incredible experiences to this tune over the past couple of days, but I will have to wait until I get the consent of those involved before I share. Check back soon! Life is an endless tapestry of the most beautiful threads, and never stops being woven nor patch-worked to other weaves!
"Life is an endless tapestry of the most beautiful threads, and never stops being woven nor patch-worked to other weaves!" That is beautifully said. You are a very talented writer.
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