In 1953, the surrealistic artist, M. C. Escher, created the unique three-dimensional lithograph entitled, Relativity. There are many noticeable points about
this artistic piece.[i]
There is a lack of the common
laws of gravity for the faceless, mundane individuals walking about in a
robotic manner. It’s a bit depressing in
its tones of black, white, and gray (as life progresses at its own unique pace).
The end of each staircase leads
to a dungeon door (the tomb of humanity). This is a thought provoking piece
that allows for contemplation on the human condition.[ii]
Little could M. C. Escher
anticipate that sixty-three years later Relativity
would become the main focus of a sermon in a Reformed Church of America house of worship?[iii]
When the congregation of CenterPoint Church Gahanna named
this piece; here are some of the suggestions that were revealed before the
actual name. (This piece is a short summary of the cycle of relativism in art)[iv]:
1. Elements
2. Football
with the Bengals
3. In
the House
4. Life
5. Monday
at My Office
6. No
Wrong Way in Any Direction
7. The
Eternal Climb
8. Trip
to Nowhere (My Guess)
There are three horrendous progressions in this sequence
(that happen repeatedly unless stopped):
1. Self-Interest – “What is best for me?”
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be
humble, thinking of others better than yourselves.”[v]
Do the reverse of
self-interest instead:
Words of Life,
words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
in this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home[vi]
Give us strength, help us cope
in this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home[vi]
“If
you want something you never had; you’ll have to do something you’ve never
done.”[vii]
2. Self-indulgence – “If I want it,
it’s okay.”
“I’m staying alert, and in top condition. I’m not going
to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about [God], and then missing out myself.”[viii]
A good example of
this is giving yourself permission to cheat on a diet (and not exercising), and
then being upset with the negative results you get.
Do the opposite of
self-indulgence in its place:
3. Self-Independence – “God is under obligation to do everything I ask Him to do
immediately.”
“Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their
counsel. They are alert to the condition
of your lives, and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the
joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things
harder for them?”[x]
This should be the needed
comeback for self-independence in your life:
Most of us are acquainted with this saying, “Oh yeah,
says who?” God is our standard-maker. He states right and wrong in the Bible (not us in our self-pride).
Proverbs 14:12 (MSG) states what we all know:
“There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again – it leads straight to hell.”
The Heavenly will do what this chorus says for you 24/7.
(You can depend on Him.)
You
never let go, never let go, never let go
You pull me in close, pull me in close
Pull me in close[xii]
You pull me in close, pull me in close
Pull me in close[xii]
 |
| Me and Relativity (Cell Phone Photographer; Angela Cimino) |
[i]
Title of this post from the 1974 song of the same title, performed by Marie
Osmond
[iii] Inspired
by the sermon, “Breaking the Cycle: The Cycle of Relativism,” Installment Four,
Sunday, October 23, 2016, Pastor Dave
Jansen, CenterPoint Church Gahanna, Gahanna, OH
[iv]
Relativism is truth only being absolute to each individual’s concept (and
approval) of it.
[vi]
Chorus of the song, ”Ancient Words,”
performed by Michael W. Smith
[vii]
Quote by Erin Condren
[ix]
Chorus of the song, “The Stand,” performed by Hillsong United
[xi]
Chorus of the song, “This is Amazing Grace, “ performed by Phil Wickham
No comments:
Post a Comment