On the necessity of vision
The role of prayer has changed for me over the years. At different points I recall it alternatively being genuine desire to know God, leaning on God to relieve stress, something I did out of a sense of obligation but not desire, and now primarily as a means to find direction and "take me to the mountaintop". The thoughts below describe the necessity of prayer to provide vision for my life. Without this I inevitably seek alternatives, television being the most obvious. I think I have been psychologically addicted to TV at different points in my life. Couldn't go to sleep without at least watching something. I think a lot of people suffer from this.
I wonder whether prayer as a means to "take me to the mountaintop" is consistent with the Biblical view? I think of what Paul said to the Philippians about knowing Christ being the most excellent thing. I think how the Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name". No desire for vision there other than the vision of God (or Christ) himself. But I do see a connection to thy kingdom come and thy will be done. After all, how can we participate in God's kingdom without some vision of what this means, what this requires to prioritize in our daily calendar. For me, this sense of vision and conviction that the priorities laid out in my calendar truly are contributing to God's kingdom purpose has become my daily bread.
----
Let me see something that will take me somewhere, to the next hilltop, to the next mountaintop, out of this valley, out of this morass, out of the place that yesterday seemed sweet and pleasant but today is familiar and small.
Television, send it to me through the airwaves, through the rabbit ears, through the cable line. I'm reaching out to you believing that if I open this channel then you will show me a picture of happiness, of meaningfulness, of adventure, of belongingness, of power, of understanding.
Rated for a PG audience or for adults only I'll know I have found what I'm looking for when the picture comes alive, when it calls out to me, when it reflects in me what I know or want to believe.
Vision, vision give me vision. Television, broadcast through the air, through the rabbit ears, through the cable line. Without it I might just die, I won't have the strength to go on. Real or counterfeit, pure or vile, I'll take it now to quench my thirst. Whatever there is, whatever I can get.
Why wait so long? Why let it get this far? Vision, vision grant me vision. Speak to me so I can see. A picture, a show a story to motivate me even just to move on.
I wonder whether prayer as a means to "take me to the mountaintop" is consistent with the Biblical view? I think of what Paul said to the Philippians about knowing Christ being the most excellent thing. I think how the Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name". No desire for vision there other than the vision of God (or Christ) himself. But I do see a connection to thy kingdom come and thy will be done. After all, how can we participate in God's kingdom without some vision of what this means, what this requires to prioritize in our daily calendar. For me, this sense of vision and conviction that the priorities laid out in my calendar truly are contributing to God's kingdom purpose has become my daily bread.
----
Let me see something that will take me somewhere, to the next hilltop, to the next mountaintop, out of this valley, out of this morass, out of the place that yesterday seemed sweet and pleasant but today is familiar and small.
Television, send it to me through the airwaves, through the rabbit ears, through the cable line. I'm reaching out to you believing that if I open this channel then you will show me a picture of happiness, of meaningfulness, of adventure, of belongingness, of power, of understanding.
Rated for a PG audience or for adults only I'll know I have found what I'm looking for when the picture comes alive, when it calls out to me, when it reflects in me what I know or want to believe.
Vision, vision give me vision. Television, broadcast through the air, through the rabbit ears, through the cable line. Without it I might just die, I won't have the strength to go on. Real or counterfeit, pure or vile, I'll take it now to quench my thirst. Whatever there is, whatever I can get.
Why wait so long? Why let it get this far? Vision, vision grant me vision. Speak to me so I can see. A picture, a show a story to motivate me even just to move on.
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire