“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23
The Joker Movie (2019)
The movie “Joker”, characterized as a psychological thriller, is intensely captivating cinema and a lesson in subversion. Cinematically beautiful, raw, riveting, and it has all the ingredients of a blockbuster film. The evocative storyline brings you in and feeds you an entrapping narrative. Something stimulating and “sexy”.
The movie teeters on the precipice of what is and what is to be. It mirrors the suppressed attitudes and behaviors of society… a burgeoning anthem set to the music of chaos. This reality is a slowly moving crescendo. Slowly burning, slowly unraveling, and the movie is here to tell you so. And it is here to show you blurred lines of good and evil. And it is here to entitle you, to make you complicit.
This movie, like others, is a breaking down and a building up of social norms in its capture, depiction, and ascension of glorified mental illness. Bringing us into its wheelhouses, acclimating us to depravity.
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
We are created beings. Our desire for purpose and meaning in life is the result of being created with purpose and meaning. We exist for a finite purpose for which the world distracts. Our own established value systems hold us captive, hindering our purpose. We are driven by purpose, so when our purpose is hindered, we are not at peace. Our purpose is intrinsic, and as we move in it, in the flow of it, we are at peace.
We are creative beings. Our desire to create is to bring to fruition the purpose which we are created for. When our creative purpose is confused, opposed, stunted, we are not at peace.
But the world distracts, and the world confuses. And so, we struggle for our peace. Our systems of inputs and outputs are misguided and what we hold as valuable is skewed because of it. When our wants and needs are filtered through skewed senses, our purpose is entangled. The ultimate body, soul, mind attack is the entanglement of our purpose.
How do we disengage or emotionally detach from misguided systems to where our purpose is set free?
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Information
2019 is something of a slow burn. Separating the good information from the bad, for honest, unencumbered forward movement. And what of these months of the last year of the decade? And what of the elapsed time of your life since birth up until now? What is your state of mind. And what does your heart have to say about it.
Information Technology
We are on the verge of something. They call it a singularity. Simply put, it’s a time of supreme technological advancement and information synthesis.
Consequently, It will be a time for mania, hyperactivity, overactivity, sensory overload.
There is a certain frequency of information out here, that is formed into culture. Lives are overpowered by it. Information that is demanding and posturing to overpower our insight.
State of Mind
Now my friend, it is time to know more than ever who you are.
Take account of where you are in this moment. In these months of 2019. What is your state of mind? What is the information that is in play in the feedback loop of your environment? And what does your heart have to say about it.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5”
Broken Belief
Our belief system is irrational and broken. We were born that way. We are continuously trying to sustain ourselves to keep ourselves from dying of emotional pain and fear. Irrational. This is separate from our basic survival instinct. We have learned memories of cravings and pleasure that are misinformed. We are continuously looking for external sensory stimuli and connect to the wrong things. Our reward motivated behavior can be in a maddening cycle.
Correcting Belief
There may be a conflict in the brain’s chemical processes that relate to craving, pleasure, reward. Our brain pathways are recycling memories of cravings and pleasure that don’t satisfy the craving. It’s irrational and broken. The correct belief system has to be active in our minds for us to be free. Our connection to God can alter, correct, rewire, our brain structure, turning on different pathways, and changing the brains chemical response to one that offers peaceful physiological and psychological responses.
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”
Philippians 3:18-19
Faith, housed in the heart, will never be destroyed.
It is Holy Week 2019 and Notre Dame Cathedral is burning. The stark imagery of a burning building a wash in medieval symbolism, juxtaposed to the procession of Holy Week was curious to say the least. This masterful edifice has stood its ground since the 12th century, with its demanding architecture and demanding presence. Now on this 15th day of April, 2019, it is burning.
So now, as we consider this imagery and wonder, the question is: What do we see, what do we know, and what do we learn? Destruction in this world is imminent. But faith housed in the heart will never be destroyed.
Intuition. That intangible thing that you know, that you know, that you know. It’s an inward knowing. With so much information swirling in the air of the “information age” that we currently stand in, it’s hard to discern this inward knowing.
The problem: too much information. Too much information that is useless, meant for negative engagement, and that stealthily encourages unawareness. Our life and times are overloaded and bombarded with this chaos of information. How do we find our connection to what we know is true in all this? Cultivate your independent, personal, culture of awareness. Retreat inward, hear, write the vision and make it plain. Find the substance that is there. Don’t yield to the culture of false or empty awareness.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NASB
Self Image
Self image is the way you think about yourself and your abilities or appearance. Our mental image of ourselves can strengthen us or weaken us. The more positively we think of ourselves, the higher we elevate our body, soul, and mind, and the closer we get to our best selves to carryout our God given purpose. However, when we have a negative self image- feeling worthless, unattractive, incapable, or feeling like a failure, we impede the flow of harmony in our lives.
God’s Image
We are created in God’s image. We are taught to be Christ like. This means we are beautiful, admirable, respectable, knowledgeable, fearless, and diligent among so many other great characteristics. When negativity tries to seep in, we must remember these truths. Even when our negative self image comes into focus because of a wrong we have done or mistakes we have made, remember that God calls us not because we think we are righteous but because we know we are sinners (Matthew 9:13). Remember to focus on flourishing the beauty that comes from within, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:4).
God sees us striving to be our best selves, so we can call on him when we feel weak in mind and doubt our abilities, or don’t feel good about ourselves. He’s able to brighten your point of view in an instant when you look to Him.
Start. Foster a positive self image that makes you feel good about yourself by putting in the effort to take care of your body, soul, and mind. Change your thinking and make your thoughts those of positivity and optimism always. Be Christ like, follow His example of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, forgiveness, humility, courage, honesty, generosity, compassion, obedience, diligence, and discipline, among many others.
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
Joshua 1:8
Feeling like you don’t have a purpose in life can be debilitating. It can stifle your hope and joy, and abridge the harmony of your body, soul, and mind.
Your Work
Our life purpose is a special gift given to us by God to help each other (1 Peter 4:10). It could be connected to your career, your creative passion, or who you are as a parent, sibling, spouse, or neighbor. This “job” that God gives us could be thought of as big or small but it is definitely significant and it is given to us in service to Him. As explained in 1 Corinthians 12, the work that we are each appointed to do, make up various parts of a whole body, and this body works together seamlessly for God’s divine purpose. God puts each of us where He wants us according to our spiritual gifts and when we connect with God in such a way that we understand what our God given purpose is, it’s life changing! “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).G
Your Plan
Now, lets think about when frustration rears its head. This will happen when your plan for your life does not work out exactly as you expected, according to the specific path that you thought of in your head for yourself. You can see why this may present a problem- it is because this can be a very self-serving mindset. The way to counteract this is by putting God first. “seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
Start.Put God first. Look to Him for everything, in every decision, and in every move you make. If you make a mistake and go off His path, trust in Him that He will put you back on it. Remember, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Listen to your life. God is continuously speaking to us through life events, and moments that may seem insignificant may indeed be God’s divine guidance. Pay attention and connect with God through His word and through your prayer and meditation time so that these moments that God is speaking to you do not go unnoticed. As the gospel says “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8). How wonderful to have God so carefully guiding us in our lives. Embrace the joy in the journey. Know and accept when God refines us to become our best selves. He will test our hearts with difficulties to strengthen us, to make us effective and capable for our God given purpose.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Build Relationship
Through prayer and meditation, we communicate and build a relationship with our God and Savior. This is a very important practice, one that is essential to understanding the very specific work God has for us. It is how we are guided by God to become our best selves, body, soul, and mind, in order to carry out our God given purpose.
Follow the example of Jesus and how often He prayed- early in the morning before daybreak (mark 1:35), alone at night (Matthew 14:23), in the wilderness for 40 days before his ministry began (Luke 4:1), earnestly in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44). Jesus encourages prayer, He says to “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1).
Build Connection
When we pray and meditate we give thanks and praise and make the request of our hearts known to God. Prayer and meditation also puts us in a place of deep thought and reflection, as in the gospel, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5) also “I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands” (Psalm 143:5). Through prayer and meditation our connection with God is strengthened and we are able to receive clearer direction on what is best for our lives.
Start.Find a quiet place where you can pray and meditate without distraction. You can have your bible or a note sheet with you in case you are inspired to find a passage or remember something God sparks in your thoughts. Speak to God, cry out to Him, whisper to Him, thank Him, praise Him, sit silently with Him, feel His Spirit and let His Spirit flow through you. Make the most of your time with Him, God delights in this time, it pleases Him.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength”
Proverbs 17:22
The truth of Jesus Christ is the anchor to our souls. This truth directs us to what is best for our lives. It leads us to be good to ourselves, to do good for others, and expect all that is good from our lives. It guides us in a healthy direction.
Searching Heart
Our belief in the truth is what matters to our whole being because it harmonizes our whole being. We need to search our hearts and determine what we believe, and as it says in the gospel “Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). Seeking God is a very personal process and it is guided by our experiences in life- the people we meet, our experiences of right and wrong, good and evil. God guides us into truth and leads us to a place where we find Him. He develops an interest within us to understand Him and to pursue Him. Do you feel that call, that desire to know Him more? To know more and more of the truth?
One of the best places to start is in the word of God that teaches us that Jesus is the way the truth and the life- belief comes from hearing the good news about Christ. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).
The word of God in our bible is one of God’s most glorious gifts! It uncovers the truth and teaches us how to live, how to overcome, and how to prosper. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12).
Believing Heart
Learning the truth that is God’s word is how we anchor our soul and bring our body (heart), soul, and mind into harmony. As it says in the gospel “and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Lets strive to be free from bad habits and negativity that inhibit our growth and our best health. Anything that abridges our harmony impacts our efforts to be useful for God.
Start. Take a stand to determine what you believe. Search your heart, soul, and mind and listen to its call- the gospel says “I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 10:16). We grew up with the things that are known in the Bible, and if we didn’t grow up with it, it came to our knowledge in some divine way- as the gospel says, “For everyone, from the least to the greatest will know me already” (Hebrews 8:11). Trust God as firmly as you did when you first believed. Connect with the truth of the word of God through church, bible studies, bible journaling, TV or radio ministry, or any other way you can learn more about God. Jesus is calling…. calling you for the first time, calling you back, or calling you deeper. Listen, learn, follow, believe.
