A Hubris Based Faith

I learned about hubris while taking a drama history class. It was used most in reference to Greek theater…plays such as Oedipus Rex. His cardinal sin and the moral of the story was that it does not pay to commit a hubris act. In his pride and miss placed confidence Oedipus thought he had out smarted the gods and changed his own fate; all he actually accomplished was bringing his fate to pass by killing his own father and sleeping with his mother! It is a horrific story that you tend never to forget. What the Greeks of the day where driving at is that trying to play god, however well intentioned, is a most grievous sin.

Now I am not a big follower of Greek mythology but this idea of hubris really has stuck in my head. I have wondered how many times I have been convinced that I know what’s best for my life or questioned God’s ability to deal with the big and small issues that I see around me. Now I think when it comes to legitimately wrestling with an issue or with God himself….there is a place that God lets us test ourselves against him. I mean look at Jacob! Sometimes God knows that we need to battle it out and lucky for us our God is not like the Greek gods that would surely inflict some strange punishment for such behavior. No I don’t think God is all that threatened by us, or our doubt or our certainty either. Where I worry we, as a Christian community, are missing a very large boat is when we set ourselves up as the Holy Spirit himself; instead of allowing God to be God. How ever well intentioned, we seem to have taken our roles as disciples and followers to a place that we were not intended to. We are not the power that changes people, we are not the the conscience that strikes at the heart, we are not the judge and jury on the state of a persons soul. The Holy Spirt does these things but I know all to often I try to take these roles onto myself.
I know this is just one way that I have committed this 'sin of hubris’ and considered it a requirement of my faith.
It speaks to how small we can make God. Every time that we decide that we need to change people; we tell God that we are bigger and know better than He does.
Hubris.
We are called to be followers of Christ, not to be the next generation of Pharisees. We are called to be mirrors of Christ, so that all can see the goodness of God – regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey.
I know there are only of couple of you that read this blog but it is very interesting to see how integrated some of these hubristic acts are into our faith. Ever thought about worry as a sin?

The game of Tag goes on

Hmmm I’ve heard of phone tag but I didn’t now there was blog tag! If I figure out how to do a link I will link Leanne’s name because she is the one who tagged me. She always has been a great motivator and inspiration in my life J

So 6 unexceptional things about myself:

1) I think I hate my dog. She is like one of these things in my life that I do love but conditionally…today she got into the garbage and messed up my newly mopped floors so today I am without the love.
2) I am clueless about decorating a house. Seriously nominate me for some home decorating something; otherwise I am doomed to live in white walled boxes for the rest of my life!
3) I’ve lost a couch this week. I think its somewhere under the mountain of laundry that I am supposed to fold and put away.
4) I totally don’t get why people are whining that its cold out…it’s November for heavens sake and your living in Canada, what do you expect! Talk to me in March…I’ll join in on your complaining then.
5) I’m a Flames fan…you can argue semantics about it all you want but I left the Canucks behind with my childhood and I am not looking back!
6) I love video games. We’re xboxers now…halo mostly. I wish I was better at them but I really don’t have the time to become a professional couch potato…I mean gamer at this point. But one day….


So now that you know these random facts about my not so glamorous life I am going to tag Kenny and Char, Andrew, Ryan, and Leanne.

Here are the rules for this tag....Rules:1). Link the person that tagged you.2).Mention the rules on your own blog.3). List 6 unspectacular things about you.4).Taggify 6 other bloggers

My beautiful Mess....

So I think like most people I enjoy beautiful things…the idea of beauty itself. I totally fantasize about having a beautiful home, that is perfectly decorated – that has closets full of beautiful clothes that accentuate my every wish of beauty.
It could go on and on but I usually don’t have to go much further before I realize that I could pursue this beauty but be missing out on the beauty that God has lavished around me. For me, now, it’s in the soggy cheerios smooshed into my carpet and drool that cakes my clothing. It’s in the pile of laundry on my couch and the craft supplies on the kitchen table. All of these things speak to God’s providence in my life. I get to stay home, with my kids, most days, and make messes! I often forget this. I forget that this is a “get to” not a “have to”! My definition of beautiful is changing…or maybe broadening is a better word. I still want my house to be nice…I’ll even settle for just clean; but I am tired of waging war against the mess and chaos of motherhood.
I really just want to look at the 4ft artwork of smiling faces my daughter drew on her bedroom wall and teach the lessons that need to be taught without the angst of begrudging the need to buy yet another magic eraser.