Lost In Translation

Just the other day, an important friend of mine posted a verse on twitter from the Biblical book of Lamentations. As soon as I saw it I had a memory from about 15 years ago (I know it's going to be distracting to you that I am remembering something from when I was 5 years old, but stay with me). At the time, I was really focused on a specific group of verses in the Bible from the Book of Lamentations, which I felt was a life theme for me. The passage was Lamentations chapter 3, verses 27-31. Here is what it says in the New International Version (NIV):


27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.  
28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.  
31 For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever. 


The NIV was the preferred version of the scriptures used by the church I grew up attending. I didn't exactly understand the context of this verse, but for me it meant that I should seek God as a young man and that it is ok if it is difficult. God would meet me in the midst of seeking Him - even through life's confusion. One day, I told the pastor of our church about this verse and how I was latching onto it. I quoted it to him and he said, "Yep, it's good to work hard." I thought to myself, "Is that what these few verses mean?" 
Flash forward to the present. As I was having this memory as a result of my friend's post, I decided to read those verses again. Maybe 15 years of life would give me the experience and perspective to be able to understand them the way the author really meant them to be understood. I hopped over to my YouVersion bible app and found the passage I was looking for. This time, I read it in the paraphrase version of the Bible, The Message. Here is what I found:


27 It’s a good thing when you’re young
to stick it out through the hard times.
 28 When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
 29 Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
30 Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.
The “worst” is never the worst.
31 Why? Because the Master won’t ever
walk out and fail to return.


Wow. This isn't at all the "work as hard as you can" theme that my pastor from 15 years ago communicated. It's more like, well, what I originally thought. It basically says, "Life may be tough, but if you are faithful to sit and wait on God, He'll always show up." Love. It. 
At this point I had a few thoughts. First, I wish that I had been exposed multiple sources and translations or versions of the scriptures so that I could more thoroughly understand the principles being communicated. Second, I wonder at the incredible ways that scripture lives and breathes, allowing us to access deeper and deeper parts of who God is. Third, I am so thankful that I live in a time and place that gives me the chance to find God's grace, mercy, love, leadership, mastery and wisdom in so many different translations and versions. 
When I read these old familiar verses in a new way, I am overwhelmed by the truth of those scriptures. The 15 year old me was finally at peace knowing he understood in his mind what he suspected in his heart.  Back then the true meaning was lost in translation. Now, I understand more and more as I myself become lost in translation. TMF

A Life Of Contradictions

As a Christ Follower, I am always looking for a clearer, more succinct way to understand, much less communicate, what has happened to me. I'm different now. But I also am no different. What the hell is going on?!? This day I feel as though I understand grace and the depths that Jesus has saved me from. That day I feel like the depths of darkness in my heart have the power to overtake the salvation offered by any deity. I waver, flounder, wonder, believe, know, doubt, question, preach, judge, forgive, rise and fall on the promise of the words in Romans 7: 15-25(msg). Read them...

15 What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.16 So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.17 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help!18 I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it.19 I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.20 My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.21 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.22 I truly delight in God’s commands,23 but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Here is a thought that I've been rolling around in my head for a week or so. Do I live with an "arrival mindset"? I would be so quick to tell you that I don't ever think I've arrived. But do I look forward to that impossible goal in my heart? Am I so focused on the idea that I will reach some form of ultimate success here in this life that I completely overlook the process for the outcome? This is a question I have to face every day. Let's see how it goes...