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It's been a week of sometimes running in place and also wishing for what I want, but don't have, especially regarding relationships.
I have so much to give thanks for and yet, I focus on what I lack or want and fail to always trust the Lord and think positively. I do move along, but sometimes, it is out of obstinate belief and not feeling or my negative perception of reality -- which I willfully deem as "correct".
As an artist I am in awe of the Bible's Shunammite woman's incredible faith, and moreover her ability to perceive. -- to see things as the really are, as the Lord wills them, rather than what seems real to the rest of us.
When the Shunammite woman is confronted with the death of her son, a young boy, she remains positive! He was a child she thought she would never bear, until Elisha the Prophet told her otherwise. Even though she was not a Hebrew, she believed. She is only known as the Shunammite, we do not have her name. Possibly she represents the faith and closeness to the Lord of those who we think do not believe as we do, or as one should . Yet this woman, one who we would classify as a non-believer, is an example to us all in the Bible.
She was married to a prosperous, but much older man. And, she was childless. Still, whenever Elsiha the Prophet, who she recognized as a Man of God, would pass her way she would invite him and his servant Gehazi in and feed them. Finally, she went as far as creating a special chamber, a guest room, for Elsiha to stay in whenever he passed her way. When Elsiha prophesizes that she will have a child, she is unsure, but faithfully continues on offering her hospitality.
Years later, when the child, a boy is out in the fields with his father, he suffers from a headache. He is brought home where he falls ill and dies. The Shulamite woman places him on the bed she has for Elisha and goes in search of the prophet to save her son.
Now here is where her faith and positive attitude comes in.
When she meets the prophet's servant, Gahazzi, and he inquires of her, she proclaims that "all is well." Huh? All is well? Her kid is dead! Yet, she has a vision of how things are vs. w things appear to be. When she is reunited with the prophet, Elisha, she also affirms "all is well." Then she tells Elsiha that her son has fallen dead and asks how he could have promised her a son, only to have the child die? As I read it, it is almost as if she totally disbelieves the reality of the situation. It does not compute, so great is her faith, trust and vision.
How Elisha saves the child is another amazing tale. If you don't remember this, go read "II Kings IV!"
Without the Shunammite woman's perception of reality and faith, her son would have perished. Moreover, he never would have been born. This woman had a capacity to see things beyond what we usually settle for -- a spiritual reality that went beyond what most people settle for. We must learn to see the world through as the Lord does. We need to expand our view -- and, that includes me. It is afterrall, what my art is about.
Our founding fathers and those who came to colonize America also saw beyond what was thought of as normal, or easy. They dreamed of a New World where a pers0on could worship the Lord in freedom. Where a person could be whoever the Lord made them to be, using the gifts and blessings given them. They had a vision.
People are still coming to America for that vision. My ancestors did. Probably so did yours.
This Thanksgiving, let's honor them for the opportunity to be, each of us, who we were meant to be. Let's focus on not what we have or don't have but the opportunity we have to do - to do things that are meaningful and can change the world without oppression or fear.
"Without a vision a people perish."
November 19, 2006
See Special Thanksgiving items created with UnGraven Image Art that you'll want to give as host/hostess gifts plus keep some for yourself at:
Thanksgiving Gifts
For an additional article of Thanksgiving inspiration see:Thanksgiving Choices |
