Muse Devotions

We hiked up and across the cliffs that bounded the shore using a well worn path. The beach was lined with spurs of rock that extended out into the sea. From the top of the cliff they looked like rough brush strokes knifing through the smooth edge of the water. Up close these rocks were full of crevices and shallow pools that collected water at high tide. Star fish and sea anemone by the hundreds clutched the rocks in these pools. A group of sea birds hammered away at mussels grouped on an outcropping of rock. They exploded into flight whenever a crashing wave sent up a white foamy spray. Two dolphins circled lazily about 250 yards off shore; their distinctive dorsal fins clearly visible. The salty air mingled with the green smells of southern California making us all hungry for sea food. It was a spectacular day.

We dabbled in the tide pools taking care to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Our hike back took us along the cliff about 100 feet above the sand. We walked slowly trying to absorb the scene - unable to take it all in. The sun crept into the ocean, reaching the horizon just as we found our way back to our vehicle. The golden hue reflected on the water made me feel so small and yet so wonderfully blessed to be there at that time and that moment. It was a performance by God that I'm sure he equals but he never duplicates.

It had been a nearly perfect day. As we reached our car the children chattered on and on about the starfish, urchins and other sea life we had been fortunate to see. The parking lot was large and there were still about 40 or 50 cars in it at this point. It was dusk and people were packing up picnic baskets and rounding up children. A wedding party in full regalia was moving toward the face of one impressive looking cliff for a photo shoot - a good idea if you don't mind sand in your fancy shoes. We were tired and hungry and ready for seafood.

We decided that it would be a good idea to try and get a recommendation from a "local" on a seafood restaurant. After all we had passed a dozen restaurants on our way from Anaheim and several of them were just a few miles back. We began by asking the question "are you from around here?" to a few of the folks standing near by.

• Young Couple: "No we are from the bay area."
• You lady with a stroller: "No, I'm from west of LA."
• Older couple with grandkids in tow: "Uh... no we are from around Sacramento."

It seemed that Malibu was a bit short on Malibuians. Finally we asked an older fellow nearby. He chuckled and looked at us wryly. "Dos people up der...", he said in a thick eastern European accent as he waved his hand to the hills full of magnificent houses, mansions and villas, "de don't come down here", and he pointed to the beach, still glowing in the remnants of the sunset. His tone made it clear. The wealthy, famous and privileged did not dabble in the simple pleasures of the beach.

My first inclination was to think to myself, "Of course... those high falutin' folks on the hill and their fancy-pants cars and houses would never lower themselves to come down to the level of the common man." But then I got to thinking about how easy it is to ignore the familiar - even when it is exceptional. I sometimes take my wife and children for granted, even though they are marvelous. I sometimes take my church or my pastors or my job or my friendships for granted. The familiar can quickly become mundane if we do not freshen our view. That's why Jesus wanted us to have the faith of children. Children have a delightful sense of discovery about them. Everything is new and fresh to them. In my own life I struggle to maintain that sense of wonder.

Abandoned Faith Versus Calculating Faith

In chapter 19 of the Gospel of Mathew, starting at verse 13, we find two interesting stories from Jesus ministry. When you are reading the Gospels it is a good idea to pay attention to how the stories and parables are arranged. There is often a recognizable connection between seemingly different passages if you are looking hard enough. In this case the two stories are that of the children being brought to Jesus and the inquiry of the "rich young ruler". In verse 13:

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (New Living Translation)

Then, in verses 16 through 22 we have this interesting story

Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 
17 "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question-if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments." 
18 "Which ones?" the man asked.
And Jesus replied: "You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself."
20 "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (New Living Translation)

Now this young man (let's call him Bob) was a lot like us when we think we have it all together. What was Bob looking for? It seems like he was looking for a single action - that one thing he could do that would guarantee he would obtain eternal life. Bob was hitting up the holy man for an insurance policy. If Jesus had said "travel to Jerusalem and offer a sacrifice" he would have been up to it. If Jesus had said "live a life devoted to your community" he could have handled that as well. Bob's idea of faith is formulaic. He wanted to find the right set of rules and act on it to hedge his bets. If Jesus had suggested something that he could do easily and check off of his list he would no doubt have trusted Jesus far enough to do it. You might notice his interest in Jesus was merely self-interest couched as respect (which is why Jesus chided him for his flattery).

But Jesus wasn't interested in building up Bob's own sense of self-importance by giving him another status arrow for his quiver. Jesus wanted to reveal to Bob that, while he was building his fancy house of self, the true riches of the kingdom were shining all around and he was failing to take notice. Jesus did not ask Bob to participate in a ritual or some outward sign of devotion to God. He asked him for a radical departure from the life he was leading. Jesus asked Bob to abandon the possessions he was banking on and follow Him. So we see these two pictures. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. Jesus calls Bob to a radical departure from self-interest to a life of trusting faith in him.

Bob was a lot like the folks in those fancy Malibu houses - missing the spectacular beauty of the shore in favor of artificial trappings of self-importance. "Dos people up der... de don't come down here". He was so afraid of losing what he had gained that he had lost the ability to let it go and trust in anything larger than himself. He went away "because he many possessions". Following Jesus wasn't in the cards for him. He had come too far down the path of success. That is not the mindset that is required to follow Jesus. To follow Him means to become like children - un-layered with duplicity, unencumbered with status, and unburdened with ulterior motives. The faith of a child is an abandoned faith. It is a naked faith. It's faith that "buys in" with a whole heart. That's the kind of faith that can appreciate a sunset.