Lead versus Driven ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

The phrase I have not addressed from Jesus’ comment to Nicodemus is “born of the Spirit.”  Later in the conversation this will be given further context when Jesus must explain to him the difference between the physical and spiritual birth.  Without getting too theological, the distinction is that we are physically born then we are “born” spiritually.

The first is a matter of biology and the second a matter of choice.  When I chose to follow Christ in faith I experienced the second birth.  I was “born of the Spirit.”  Again, the theological langue is just for clarification and not to preach at anyone.  It is the idea though that in following in the spirit we choose to be driven by the wind.  We choose to become the wind for others.

We are meant to be driven by the Spirit to do the things that help and show love to others.  We are assured that if we live this way that we will be cared for by the Father.  We not supposed to serve a system or a process.  We are designed to be free to be part of the effort to get things back to good. 

I must always be in this place.  I must not be in and out of it.  I must not accept any half measure.  It is my responsibility to be available to be driven.  It is how I must follow.  It is the essence of my journey. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Lead versus Driven ~ An Apostrophe

Greetings Dear Reader,

Smee:  I've just had an apostrophe.

Captain Hook:  I think you mean an epiphany.

Smee:  No... lightning has just struck my brain.

Captain Hook:  Well, that must hurt. - HOOK

I have often thought of this quote when I leave something out or ponder the other uses of “apostrophe”.  This happens more often than you might consider.  We are a very strange lot, writers.  We think about things always and sometimes they are brilliant.

This being Epiphany or the twelfth day of Christmas, I want to put being driven in perspective.  Almost all the world will have Christmas put away today.  The clearance candy will be mostly gone from the stores.  The ugly sweaters are off the rack. 

Christmas becomes the something that is left out and by so many forgotten.  Listening to Christmas music will get you criticism and negativity.  The incarnation of Christ is what finally gave us something to follow.  It is what put hands and feet on the way in which the Father and the Law of Moses wished us to live. 

I must not leave out the true purpose of Christmas any day.  I must not forget that I follow the one who was that Christmas child.  He drives me to follow him.  He walks with me in every moment and every step.  Without the cradle there is no cross, death, or resurrections.

I must be driven to follow with all that I am.  I must not leave Christ out of any moment.  The decorations, tree, and gift boxes will be gone for a time but the vitality of the Epiphany must never have an apostrophe in any moment of my life.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Lead versus Driven ~ Story Fodder

Greetings Dear Reader,

As a writer so many things clamor to be included in my daily musings.  Some even demand to be put into a short story or add a novel to the “yet to be written” list (that list is currently at 53).  The real world is a constant stream of input that I strive to capture without being detached from the actual events in which I am involved.

In my hours of driving yesterday I used my phone to record ideas.  For those of you worried about my safe driving, only verbal commands were used.  On the way there I recorded thoughts on traffic, the countryside, and changes in the landscape of a road I have not driven in 20 years.

On the return journey my thoughts were on the grieving family and my joy at seeing my dear friends. There are also observations to be recorded to serve as fodder for my blank page. "How we face death is at least as important as how we face life."  I also spent a good deal of time praying for J, L, and their son.

Someone called me and told me I was foolish for driving six hours to spend two with them.  I told her she was foolish for thinking that it was not worth it.  This family is not related to me but is still family to me.   

More importantly, I was driven to drive there.  I was moved to go to them and my journey was necessary because I want to be driven.  The lesson for me is that there are times where I know what I MUST do even when I do not know why.  I love J and L deeply.  It is worth the journey always to bring a smile to the eyes of the grieving. 

Being driven means I will not always understand but that I will become more attuned to that voice that drives me.  One cannot ignore that voice and live by faith.  It is faith that the voice demands.  In that demand he also promises to take care of us in the journey.  Sometimes he even provides a yard full of Santas to make us smile for a while.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Lead versus Driven ~ Journey and Destination

Greetings Dear Reader,

Ponder for a moment all the material things the dead have taken with them.   Here is the entire list: (read this as nothing)                                  

We all know that material possessions do not travel with us the clearing beyond the path.  What I think I forget at times is that this includes positions, status, jobs, and vocations. 

We need things along the journey to sustain us.  Very few of them make the final stage of the journey with us.  Most of what will last the transition is intangible.  All of what will last has nothing to do with power, position, or possessions.

Today I travel a road unplanned driven by the wind of love and compassion.  I travel to visit friends who have lost a loved one.  I will drive for six hours to spend an hour or two with them.  It is worth it to show them that my professions of love and compassion have hands and feet.  The wind drives me to be there for them in their grief. 

The father and husband who has passed away no longer cares about things.  They are not necessary for the destination.  I cannot imagine packing a truck load of belongings for a move just to leave them on the curb at my destination.  Yet we seem to do that our entire lives.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Lead versus Driven ~ Doldrums

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the challenges of being driven by the Spirit is that there well be times when there is not wind.  We have our sails unfurled and have cast off the mooring lines.  The anchor is up and stowed.  The sails hang there while the sea is still and warm.

It is the waiting that is more fire than the working.  We always want to be doing something if we are truly wishing to be driven.  The problem is that even in the waiting we are being obedient.  We cannot see over the horizon.  We cannot see the building winds that are past our sight to come fill our sails.

The doubt and impatience will come.  The thoughts will assail you as you try to sleep.  The constant battle against worry and for faith must be waged.  You can only do what you can do.  You can only take the steps available to you.

Others will doubt your efforts.  Only you know.  Others will question your perspective.  Only you can say if you have done what you should.  Only you know the wind when it comes.  Being driven means you wait for the wind.

It is not going to be the way you imagine or perhaps not even the way you hope.  You will, however, find the wind and it will propel you onward.  Learn in the doldrums.  Learn in the wilderness.  Learn so that you are ready when the time comes.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)