Words of Wisdom
Raphael’s fresco “The School of Athens” is the marriage of art, philosophy, and science that was a hallmark of the Italian Renaissance. Painted between 1509 and 1511, it is located in the first of the four rooms designed by Raphael, the Stanza della Segnatura.
But just what does this famous painting mean? Let’s look at what the iconic The School of Athens meant for Raphael as an artist and how it’s become such a symbol of the Renaissance. The stellar work was commissioned by the Pope. An elderly Plato stands at the left, pointing his finger to the sky. Beside him is his student Aristotle. In a display of superb foreshortening, Aristotle reaches his right arm directly out toward the viewer. Each man holds a copy of their books in their left hand—Timaeus for Plato and Nicomachean Ethics for Aristotle.
In the masterpiece Plato’s gesture toward the sky is thought to indicate his Theory of Forms. This philosophy argues that the “real” world is not the physical one, but instead a spiritual realm of ideas filled with abstract concepts and ideas. The physical realm, for Plato, is merely the material, imperfect things we see and interact with on a daily basis.
By contrast Aristotle’s hand is a visual representation of his belief that knowledge comes from experience. Empiricism, as it is known, theorizes that humans must have concrete evidence to support their ideas and is very much grounded in the physical world.
Historically the combined theories represented by two iconoclastic scholars leaves many wondering what is the hidden meaning.
By way of contrast there is another historical figure who exceeded the two combined in understandable thought.
The officials reporting to the chief priest said of Jesus, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” John 7: 46.
The words of Plato and Aristotle like those of all wise men of all ages were informative. Jesus’ words were transformative. Their words were worldly, Jesus’ words were other worldly.
Jesus has been described as the “Orator of the Universe.” However it was not how He spoke that was most important, but what He spoke. His teachings are the gold standard of truth. His words cut to the heart of the matter with penetrating psychology.
It is critically important that we be able to truthfully say, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. (Psalm 119: 10, 11).
Knowing a truth and not applying it is little better than not knowing the truth. Study and memorize the words of Jesus to be wise. Apply them and be blessed.
It’s off to Work We Go
In every relationship, whether a working environment or simply a group relation, there are three groups. Following the listing of them, before you judge others by them, evaluate how others might judge you by them. They are:
1) People who get it. 2) People who don’t get it. 3) People who never will get it.
When there is something to be done some people “get it” right away. Others “don’t get it” without detailed instruction, and continual supervision. The third group is people “who will never get it.”
If you are a supervisor, after a time of instruction you realize there are people who will never get it. You have to decide if that is the type of people you want to be associated with socially or working for you. If it is a working relationship the only alternative is to gracefully and tactfully explain to them you need a person with a different skill set in the position and replace them, or gradually part company with them if it is a social relationship.
We are not only called to work, but to work well, as if we are working for God Himself (Colossians 3:23-24). God is the One who gives us the ability to work (Exodus 31:2-6), and we honor Him by living up to the limit of those gifts (Matthew 25:14-30).
Before considering those three categories in a working relationship consider them in a social relationship, an interpersonal relationship. Some people are a desert when it comes to having social skills. That is. they have none.
Socially it is virtually impossible to try to improve a person’s social skills. The best way is to model such skills. Addressing them otherwise can engender hostility. Every person has faults, you just have to decide whose faults you are willing to tolerate and make those persons your friends.
Applying the three classifications in a professional working relationship is in itself a stewardship. After constructively observing a person’s performance in a job it can be decided if they “don’t get it’ or if they “never will get it.” Work with the first person of the two long enough to ascertain if they will “never get it.” It is poor stewardship on behalf of the supervisor who allows a person who will “never get it” in a professional position to continue in the position. Releasing such a person is when a supervisor earns their money by performing such a task. Professionally it is expedient to document warnings and training given a person and ultimately the reason for the release of the person.
The person “who gets it” becomes a valuable employee deserving of advancement. If you are an employee don’t simply dream of success, work for it.
I commend my life long theme text: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men… (Colossians 3: 23).
He’ll Make a Way Through
“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43: 19.
Often when God makes a promise that applies to us we immediately begin to think of things that make it impossible for the promise to be fulfilled.
When God promised His people who were in captivity in Babylon regarding their return to their home land they doubted how it could happen because of the deserts they must cross, and the dry regions without access to water.
In effect God said, “Don’t worry, I will make a road through the desert and lead you to sources of water in the barren land.”
The same God who fulfilled those promises is the same God who will provide for you, that is, make a road and provide water in your desert times. Believe it and act accordingly.
There is an often sung song by Don Moen entitled “God Will Make a Way.” Let its words play on your heart strings and your mind ruminate on your thoughts.
“God will make a way
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today.
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
May reflecting on that theme give you holy boldness resulting in confidence in not only His promise, but assurance in His ability to see you through your dry arid days. Trust Him and act accordingly. He’ll see you through.
God Does Do-Overs
“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43: 19
Do you have past failures that trouble you? Are they significant enough to you that accumulated they cause you to tend to feel you have a failure complex? To use a colloquium they bug you.
The prophet Isaiah wrote God’s message to the people of God who were in captivity in Babylon saying: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
W – O – W !
There are more good things in the past of all of us than we tend to remember. However, don’t expect past victories to sustain you. Don’t rob yourself by not reflecting on them with gratitude. Don’t be an ingrate failing to thank the Lord for them. Pause and consider that.
Conversely, don’t allow past failures to paralyze you. Isaiah’s prophecies to the children of Israel came at a bleak period in their history. They were in captivity, in exile in Babylon. People lost everything back home that they thought would be theirs forever. They were homesick and dreaming of going back, but life was going nowhere. If God could do a new thing for them He surely can for you.
The fear of failing again can cause hesitation and potentially immobilize you. Sure, to act is to risk failure. Failure to act guarantees failure. God has already removed all obstacles of coming to Him.
Be realistic about your past. Also be confident about your future. Our God is a God of new beginnings. He prefaces making all things new by forgiving all things past predicated on contrition, confession, and commitment. Once that is established expect God’s smile to accompany His mighty right hand as He makes all things new. Accept that word “all.” Your past failures and brokenness no longer rule over you, define or defeat you. He specializes in makeovers.
Pray the prayer of David who asked of the Lord, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). Heart is a metaphor for the control center of one’s life. It starts there and permeates all of life.
Regarding your self-image, remember there is a difference in saying I failed and I am a failure. You are a new creature in Christ. Believe it and act accordingly.
Be loyal to the royal blood that flows in your veins. You are not alone. He who does new things is your loving Lord.
Spread Cheer Anonymously
Do something nice for someone today and be sure not to get caught.
Don’t you like it when someone does something nice for you unexpectedly? Most people do. If you do, you are not very different from others who would also. So, go out there today and make someone feel good. Don’t do it to gain favor or something in return. Think of someone you would like to give a lift anonymously. Remember, don’t get caught doing it.
Don’t be like the wealthy church member whose church was having a fundraiser and he said, “I would like to give $50,000 anonymously.”
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote, “…we’re only doing what we were formed by nature to do, so why should we need recognition for helping.” When the doing of an act is more gratifying than any compliment that follows that is true kindness.
When a person feels noticed and appreciated in their own persona they are instantly empowered. Empower someone today. They may be out of power.
My wife was going through the checkout line in the grocery store recently and as she paid the clerk handed her a bouquet of roses. When my wife said she didn’t get them or pay for them the clerk said, “I know, the lady who checked out before you paid for them and said they are for you.” My wife caught up with her in the parking lot to thank her and asked if she knew her. The lady said she didn’t know my wife, she just wanted to brighten her day. It did. They parted without exchanging names, but both feeling good about the interchange.
The greatest giver of all, our Lord Jesus, said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Seneca affirmed this saying the payoff for a good deed is in the act itself, not in what comes after.
Research even suggests that altruism can improve your attitude and make you healthier, happier, and less stressed.
I had one intended anonymous act backfire on me. While doing my own yard work one day I thought how nice it would be to have someone stop and help. A few days later I passed a person I did not know putting out pine straw in flower beds. I circled back, got out and offered to help, which I did, but the whole time he looked fearful at someone who would do that. He never knew who I was.
Remember the operative word is “kindness” not “anonymous.” However when anonymous a sense of well being results. Surely it is a blessing to the recipient, but not as much so as the doer.
Jesus was a proponent of acts of anonymous kindness noting, “…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6: 4).