For the Love of a Duck

My primary focus has been to emote about churchly issues. I have learned that my complaints shed a harsh light on my own anxieties. While I perhaps seek the truth, I suspect the truest truth is bathed in the distorted hues of our hatred, pride, fears, shame and doubt. I am sure truth exists, I am just as certain it influences our lives. (His word is truth.) Our Lord assures us that we shall know the truth and this knowledge will free us from self-deceit. Sometimes this truth reveals the lies told by a massive of choir of liars – among whom I have a solo part.

I am sure God breathes truth through our minds and hearts. I give witness to the biblical assertion that these precepts travel through “a glass dimly.” (I Cor 13:12)  Recording my fears and frustrations (anger) sets a sign post. Truth is like accurate landmarks that correct a poorly drawn map. In June of 2014 I feared that I would never serve as a pastor again. I was prepared for that outcome. Since January of 2015 I have preached ever Sunday but two.  So much for reality behind my fears. I understand that as a word is not the thing it denotes and a map is not the terrain it depicts. See me correcting my map.

I think we see ourselves as skillfully navigating through a torrent, when, in truth, our vessel as no functioning ship’s wheel. Let’s face it; there may be a rudder but we have no control over it. I love the poem “To a Water Foul.” (To shift the metaphor from sea, to air, to land.)

He, who, from zone to zone,
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
In the long way that I must trace alone,
Will lead my steps aright.

To a Waterfowl
William Cullen Bryant 1794–1878

Today I believe Mr Bryant is mistaken when writes, “Lone wandering, but not lost.” Although I cannot fault the poet, for, like him, I often suspect I am alone, wandering, and lost. Thanks God I have learned to mistrust my doubts.

Maybe it would be best to simply surrender the control of our lives to the One who really knows the future.