Parables: Can You Hear Them?

I'm back.

Seven years after my last published article on this site, I've come to revisit my old, cherished friend. Taking a much-needed break from IS & IT, I've spent the last seven years nurturing my passion for holistic living, becoming a herbalist, holistic writer, lifestyle consultant and a social media specialist for the natural products industry. To those who followed IS & IT back then...I'm sure you're curious...my final tally of Crumb-Snatchers...eight. :)

So, I've been called to return to write with the knowledge that I've gained these past seven years. Having been through and currently am experiencing trials and tribulation, I write with a new mind that I haven't had previously. We live in strange times. Truth, if you share any love for her, is brutally under attack. These are times that call for an exposing of the lies that mislead, ensnares souls and depresses spirits that are by principle, free to see, roam and explore Truth's tidings.

Knowledge and Perception

The fact that we have eyes, and don't necessarily perceive and have ears and don't necessarily understand is something that has become very clear to me as a person with hearing loss. Perfect hearing does not equate to understanding and 20/20 vision does not compel perception.

A wise man once told me that "Only experience creates knowledge." If this is true then knowledge creates perception. If experience creates knowledge and knowledge creates perception then the combination of both catalyzes instinct. Instinct can be developed into wisdom or intellect devoid of wisdom. But we can agree that without experience to hone our knowledge and perception to catalyze instinct, we are left with the basic elements of our five senses.

How much depth can we add to our lives with the basics? Not much, I garner. Those who have eyes, but do not "see" and ears but do not "hear" struggle with the main element and foundational existence of life...spirit.

I daresay that the spiritual element of this life is synonymous to what we call energy. The fact that energy is made up of nothing but is in everything inspires this belief.

Quantum physics says that as you go deeper and deeper into the workings of the atom, you see that there is nothing there – just energy waves. It says an atom is actually an invisible force field, a kind of miniature tornado, which emits waves of electrical energy. (1)

An instinct that matures into wisdom recognizes the larger part of our being is spiritual. It recognizes that all life on earth carries a spiritual element. A reflection of what truly is and not what we elementally see and hear. Which is why the Christ (Christ meaning "Anointed One") is adamant that those who worship the Lord, must do so in SPIRIT and in truth. (2)

Doctrinization of Elemental Examples for Spiritual Implications

In my 40ish years on earth, I've come to the conclusion that modern Christianity "doctrinizes" ordained elemental examples of spiritual implications, i.e. parenting and marriage primarily. They apply physical concepts to the spiritual element of worship and belief. The requiring of church attendance for spiritual salvation, the compelling of "fellowship" for accountability are all physical applications of spiritual principles. Physical applications of spiritual implications ultimately disconnect us from the Creator of these principles because in this instance we inadvertently worship the "creature" more than the creator. Not only that, it keeps us basic - limited only to eyes that do not see and ears that cannot hear. We cannot worship Him in spirit and in truth this way.

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."(3)

The institution of marriage and parenting have spiritual applications. They reflect and symbolize the Creator's intent of love, unity, sacrifice and many more principles He wants us to embody.  Most of us understand this. But many miss the implication that physical life cannot be applied to spiritual, although many religious sects try their hardest to do so and end up falsely embodying the message of Christ into condemnation and hypocrisy.

Consider this...

When questioned about a practice of marriage that allows a woman to marry her deceased husband's brother(s) if her union with deceased husband produced no heirs...

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (4)

Everything that was naturally created in this life is a spiritual reflection of the self-existent nature of God and serves as elemental examples of spiritual principles. We warp His provision of elemental examples when we attempt to "doctrinize" them with physical implications. We see an example of this "err(or)" in the scenario posed to Christ.  We are empowered through His Word to know that we are spiritual beings limited and enshrouded in matter. This is our connection to Him. Beyond thoughts and prayers, we are to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

The Essence of Knowledge and Perception

Yet there is one issue that bothers me about today's mainstream Christianity. They often vilify trials and tribulations. Often they suggest that suffering hardship is a punishment by God. If your life isn't going smoothly (outside of direct consequences), then God has turned His back on you. If there is anything I'm learning through my own current trials, this notion by those who self-label themselves "Christian".

The truth is trials and tribulations should be an expected part of a Christ-Follower's life.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"(5)

Trials serve to test the performance and abilities of someone, and in this way, they teach us who we really are. By revealing our true character and mindset that we may not perceive, but the Lord clearly knows. Trials are utilized to evolve us, create experiences and thereby knowledge, followed by perception with the end goal of catalyzing that spiritual instinct that connects with a Holy, Self-Existent God who is a spiritual being.

In the same vein, watching others go through hardship can also become a trial of our own. Take Peter for example.

Peter assured Christ that he would never be offended because of Him. He went as far as saying he would die for the Son of God. Well...we know how that ended. Christ knowingly stated that he would deny Him, not once, but three times. After his denials came to pass, Peter knew it too. However, I'm not sure if he took this lesson to heart. In the book of Galatians, Paul "withstood Peter to the face because he (Peter) was to be blamed". Paul took issue with the fact that Peter seemed to bow down to the peer pressure of the Jews' rejection of the "uncircumcised".

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.(6)

Sort of the same peer pressure he came under when denied Christ. But I digress, I've found Peter fascinating simply because he seems to embody the same issues that seem to plague the system of churches today. Which is the conflict of living in truth without shame and living by the programmed system of legalism.

If the"trying of (y)our faith worketh patience" in James 1:2, then "stony ground" is the antithesis to the importance of trials.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.(7)

It gives me pause to type this as I am experiencing one of the toughest trials of my existence, but it is completely necessary to enrich our faith. To perceive beyond our elemental existence unto what life truly is.

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?(8)

The irony is Church systems not only seem to adopt an antithesis of trials, and embrace a materialistic prosperity gospel doctrine in varying extremes, but they completely exclude the spiritual element of worship. Beyond prayers, beyond "speaking in tongues" they do very little if any.

When I was expecting my firstborn, I remember fondly anticipating her presence. I imagined it easy, so easy, I thought I could handle twins! So twins were no problem for me, I ruminated and imagined a literal fairytale life where there was no poop, no crying, no vomit to clean up, just pure bliss because of love.

Right? How many of you had zero clues about parenting until the actual event?

How can we evolve and grow without experiences? You can't.

Without experience, there is no knowledge and without knowledge, there is no perception.

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? (9)

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Sources:
1 - LifeTrainings.com; www.lifetrainings.com/We-are-made-of-Energy-not-Matter.html
2 - John 4:24
3 - 1 Cor. 15:19
4 - Matt. 22: 28 - 30 (Read verses
5 - 1Peter 4:12
6 - Galatians 2:12
7 - Mark 4:16 -17
8 - James 2:5
9 - Mark 8:18

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