October 12, 2007
A Story of Gifts - loosely based on Matthew 8
I walk out onto the dock. Three canoes tied along the waters edge. Sun warm in the early afternoon of Indian summer while a breeze tugs playfully at my clothing. I amble out to the furthest point of the dock and sit down, taking off shoes and socks and then carefully inserting my feet into the water that laps only a foot below. Its cold and send shivers through me, but after a little splashing my toes are numb enough to stand the frigid blue. I don’t even turn to look as he sits down next to me. I know who it is. I’ve been here plenty of times before.
“Hey, Jesus.”
“Hey, precious one.” I can’t help but smile. Even after all this time, I’m not used to hear him greet me that way. Without looking I can feel him grinning. He knows. I shift a little so that I can feel his shoulder touching mine, and I relax a bit into his presence. For a time we both sit quietly and watch the sun splinter into diamonds on the surface of the lake and listen to the humming of autumn insects busy about their agendas. I think I could sit here like this for hours, except I have come here with a purpose. As I think about what is bothering me, I can feel the emotions surface and my mind tangles searching for words.
“Take your time,” he offers gently. I take a deep breath and when I feel ready I start.
“I’m frustrated,” I begin. “I have all these people in my life right now who are obligating me to drop whatever I’m doing and meet their expectations. They are so demanding and I’m really tired and overwhelmed by it. They act like I owe them something, and sometimes I guess that I do, which doesn’t help. And what thanks do I get? Nothing! I just feel like I am getting walked on, taken advantage of. Don’t I have any rights? How much is enough? They aren’t doing anything for me, why should I do something for them, except when I have to?
“Hmmm, doesn’t seem fair at all,” Jesus offered.
“It’s not!” I state a little more emphatically than I had anticipated.
“Anyone or any situation in particular bothering you right now?”
I know just what he is doing; drawing me out and into the light, but I don’t care. “Yes! At work I am supposed to do everything that is in my job description plus stuff that my supervisor adds to the pile, that I don’t have the time to do, and even if I did, it wouldn’t be possible. The whole place is just messed up and…”
He lets me ramble and rant for the next however long, and finally I run out of words and silence drops between us. Even though I don’t need to, I do feel a little foolish, as if I have said too much and spoken with emotion unsuited to the present company. I am quiet now, wondering what he will say. I don’t wait long.
“Thank you for trusting me with your emotions…you do realize that this is something rather new for you and me?”
I nod, watching the water dance while I try to anticipate his next words. He surprises me.
“I think we need to get you a pig.”
“What?” I look over at him and he’s grinning. “What do you mean, get me a pig?”
“Not just any pig,” he laughs, “You need one of those critters that can sniff out truffles under the ground. Only you need a pig that can root out all the lies you believe.”
“So, I believe a lot of lies, do I?” I am not surprised at my inner bristling when I hear something that sounds like I’ve failed to live up to some external standard. But I know that he understands; we’ve been down this road plenty of times before.
He drapes his arm over my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “That’s an observation, not a value statement.”
“I know.” I lean into his hug to communicate that I understand. “I just don’t like all this process stuff. Don’t you have a blue or a red pill that I could take that would make me think right?” I lie back onto the dock and look up at the cloud formations breezing their way across the azure sky. He does the same, but points to the horizon where a congregation of cumulus seems to have fashioned a billowing butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
“That’s funny,” I mutter a little sarcastically. “Did you do that?”
“Nope, but I know who did!” He pauses, and then continues. “This is a journey not a performance and this is not about the destination as much as it is about the company you keep. It is quite an intricate process…this transformation. The battle is largely in and for your mind. Lies are often like slivers in the mind that have to work their way out over time.”
“It’s the over time part that I’m not so wild about. I just want to be able to react better…properly…and now would be good.”
I can still feel him grinning, but his voice comes clear and tender. “It’s not so much about reacting properly to people and circumstances, as it is responding to and with my Spirit that lives inside of you.”
“Okay, I understand that.” I pause. “You mentioned that there are lies I believe that have me cornered?”
“Remember the process of transformation is, in part, exchanging lies for Truth. So let’s talk about something that is Truth about your concerns; Truth even though it may not appear to be.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly, not sure if this is going to help.
“What do you think you are surrounded by? You think it is demands and expectations, grumpy people and work piling up, right? You think that people are taking advantage of you, using you and being inconsiderate and thankless?”
“I’d say that pretty much sums it up.”
“What if I told you that the Truth is that you are surrounded by gifts, and furthermore, that you are gift to all these people, often unopened, but a gift nonetheless?”
“If I didn’t know you were God, I’d think you were nuts.” At that Jesus laughs and so do I. “Seriously,” I continue, “How can any of what I told you be a gift? I need a little help here.”
“Let me put it to you this way…each of those events, demands, people, expectations…each exposes a window into your inner world revealing areas that need healing and restoration. You still believe the lie that experiencing life and being in relationship with me is about your performance. Even the person who wrongs you, or the one who places an unjust burden on you, or the one who makes you feel in their debt…any of these are a gift to you, if for no other reason than they expose what you work so hard to hide.”
“And you are saying that is a good thing?”
“Absolutely! When the crap is forced to the surface by circumstance or people or someone else’s agenda, it is a wonderful thing because…”
“You just said ‘crap’.” I interrupt.
“I know…let it go. It is a wonderful thing because now the crap can be worked on and healed. Why shouldn’t we consider the person or situation that is the catalyst, a gift?”
“They don’t deserve to be gifts.” It comes out harsh but resonates with how I feel.
“Hmm, back to deserving are we? Remember, how you feel doesn’t always tell you the Truth.”
We are quiet as I think about what he has said. My emotions are not happy about it, but I understand, and just that allows me some room to move away from the weight of what I had been lost inside.
“I understand now how these can be considered gifts…”
“Can be embraced as gifts.” He is pushing me, but it’s okay.
“Alright, embraced as gifts, but you said that I was a gift to them? And you said I was mostly unopened?”
“Exactly!” I turned a little surprised at the note of excitement in his voice. “Here is the fun part. If you want, you and I can turn a debt, an obligation, a demand into something unexpected…into a gift.”
“I can?”
“No, we can.”
“How exactly?” I ask, now intrigued.
“Remember when I told the disciples that if a soldier demanded that they carry a pack for a mile, to go ahead and carry it two?”
“Sure, but I always thought you would be smarter if you just avoided the soldiers in the first place.”
“And miss out on the fun? Are you kidding me? Just think, what do you imagine that conversation was like the second mile?” He winked. “Do you want to know?”
I was stunned. “You mean… you?” I stammered.
“Of course! Do you think I ever asked anyone to do something that I had not? That second mile he told me all about his family, especially his new baby. He told me how hard it was here and about his disappointment with the political situation. I actually walked with him almost four more miles before we said goodbye. We did not part as enemies and even if we had, what I had done would have made no sense to him and would have pestered his conscience. Such is the power of love. It can disarm anything or at least bring important questions to the surface whether openly acknowledged or not.”
“I had no idea.”
Jesus reached out and lifted my face to his. “You want to know the coolest part?”
“Please.”
“Years later, when his servant was deathly ill, he came and found me and asked me to heal. But he wouldn’t let me walk one step to do it. He knew I had already done all the walking that was needed.”
Now I couldn’t talk as the tears began rolling down my face. He reached and gently wiped them. “Precious one, you are surrounded by gifts. Allow others to open you into their lives. I promise…it will be worth it.”
29 Comments on A Story of Gifts - loosely based on Matthew 8 »
October 12, 2007
kent burgess @ 11:13 am:
Willie, at work this very morning I was appraoched by a friend/co-worker the minute she arrived and I could tell she was upset about something. Come to find out she had been worried about it from the time she had left Yesterday until she saw me this morning. She had broken something of mine(somewhat expensive)and wanted me to know that she would replace it for me when she could. I said to her: “What if I told you I had a get out of jail free card for you today?” She said: “What?”
I told her that the piece of equipment she had broken had been a gift that someone had given to me and I was passing the gift along to her. From the look on her face I think she walked away feeling a little more free and I know I certainly did.
I love your stories Willie
October 13, 2007
wileybones @ 9:13 pm:
Willie,
What a beautiful expression of the life we’ve been given to journey through with Jesus! How much I need to be reminded that my transformation is “a journey not a performance”!
I especially like the twist at the end, in the suggested possibility the Jesus had carried the soldier’s pack who turned out to be the centurion of great faith. I often wondered about unfinished stories in the gospels possibly tied to people in Acts or the Epistles. Could the rich young ruler have been Barnabas, or even Saul?
Thank you!
Bones
October 14, 2007
Tina Patterson @ 10:23 am:
What an insightful representation of Jesus and His desire to love on us. I am on a business trip in the UK and have found that I have much more to offer than my client has in resources. I am resolved to allow the Father to use me and fulfill His ultimate plans for me and them. Your words fill my broken heart Willie…keep ‘em coming.
October 15, 2007
Lifestream Blog » Blog Archive » Free Range Believers @ 6:13 pm (Pingback)
[…] last thing. If you want a bit more of The Shack, check out Willies blog from this weekend. It’s an awesome story in the same vain, and with the same poignant wisdom! You will thank […]
October 16, 2007
Abundant Table @ 10:11 am:
“It’s not so much about reacting properly to people and circumstances, as it is responding to and with my Spirit that lives inside of you.”
As someone new to the Shack, I have been reading quite a bit on this website. Anyone care to expound on this statement? This caught my attention and would love to hear what you all have to say about this.
Tina Patterson @ 1:37 pm:
I would venture, that to respond to others with the guidance of the living, Holy Spirit, would require one to abdicate carnal reactions to those that deny oneself and encourage others. Of course, using great boundaries is embedded within this as well following Jesus’ example. Personally, I have difficulty waiting to respond to other’s statements and actions, but I guess I could implement a strategy of waiting 3-5 seconds before I respond. Any other thoughts?
October 30, 2007
Dan Wallace @ 8:18 am:
Often people and circumstances trigger strong emotions in me. I can see that as their fault or I can own it and ask the Spirit to help me unpack it. Many times when I own my reactions and allow the Spirit to show me the root of my emotions a lie will be revealed. I ask Him to speak truth to that lie and transformation occurs. Usually I find that I react very differently the next time a similar event takes place.
November 4, 2007
FaceSeekr @ 2:10 pm:
Well, I just finished “The Shack” and I was blessed beyond measure. I am a Pastors wife and had become dry and brittle from to much performance and not enough of seeing myself as one HE was especially fond of. Thank You Willie and Sarayu. My new agenda is no agenda. In loosing my independence again, I hope to find myself more often than not yoked to the One who is Love. Not just going through the motions. PaPa, so good to get back to being Your baby girl.
November 16, 2007
Lindsay @ 11:57 am:
I can’t stop bloody crying! ha ha!
I get all choked up when i think of this book. I just finished it last night around 11:30pm. A friend of mine had sent me a copy of the book all the way from Penang Malaysia to Alberta Canada.
I haven’t got the verbal vocabulary to describe how i’m feeling right now, although i can surely relate it to the section of the story where they have the big celebration and there are lights flashing and going off everwhere, and everything is surrounded by its own blast of colored halos….truly awesome…..
November 22, 2007
Crazy Gift Ideas @ 11:50 am (Trackback)
Crazy Gift Ideas…
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…
December 3, 2007
Joyce Wood @ 8:08 pm:
I just finished the Shack. I received the copy from friends. What an incredible way to share the extravagant love of Father.I have soooo many people in mind to share it with. Your gifted storytelling will open many hearts that have been estranged and wounded. To abundant table (Oct blog) to respond properly to people seems to go back to expectations the rule of wrong and right. Rather consider the joy of expectancy and the freshness of response inspired by the Holy Spirit
December 27, 2007
Michael Ollis @ 11:41 am:
Jesus?
January 27, 2008
Marlene @ 5:35 am:
Michael Ollis
Jesus Friend Father Alfa and Omega Beginning and the End.
Lamb of God , The way Truth and the Life
Yours free for the taking ask and you shall recevie!!!
Perfect Love Peace Joy.
I can say more
Marlene
February 2, 2008
Lin @ 9:46 pm:
That was beautiful. I like the way you think.
February 6, 2008
Carol Miller @ 3:03 pm:
When one has lies in the truth drawer and truth in the lie drawer, it is a tough assignment to get things sorted out truly. How DO we alter one’s firmly held beliefs? A friendly conversation with the capital T Truth would help, I suppose.
February 8, 2008
Sue @ 7:27 am:
I just finished The Shack this week and found your web site. Wow, thank you for your faithfulness to God and the gifts he has given to you. You are making a way for many people to find their Way again. I see and hear and experience Jesus in your writings, and nothing can thrill my heart more than to see more of Him. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
February 19, 2008
Julie @ 10:43 am:
When a friend of mine gave me this book to read I was very hesitant. My son Trey was murdered on March 13, 2005. I didn’t want to hurt my friends feelings by not reading it but it took me two weeks to finally find the courage to pick it up. I just finished reading it last night and I have to say that I could picture my son fishing in that lake glancing every now and then as I read further into it. Jesus has been with me from that horrible night in March and I have felt His presence each and every day! This book pulled away a curtain that had been between the Lord and I. He sat with me this morning and we chatted has we sipped our coffee together. I have tried to describe many times to people about the peace that I have had and the restored joy in my soul. I forgave the boy that killed my son and pray for him daily! Unforgiveness can rob you of that Joy!!!When I released him to the Father - blessings began to flow like a river from Heaven! Thank You for your precious book and I pray that many lives will be changed by them coming to know Papa! God Bless You
March 8, 2008
Christian @ 11:02 pm:
Mr. Young;
I am fascinated by the way you are able to simplify and eloquently construct a strong about a relationship with God. The way you designed your characters, with their personalities which blended Eastern and Western philosophies and how you used socialogical theories dealing with gender to explain how God is not merely one or the other but both was smooth.
Your writing style and imagery reminds me of CS Lewis, which is quite a complement, in my humble opinion. You both work in paradoxes when dealing with God and man. I know that you are not merely getting that from Kirkegaard but it definintely has a strained of his philosophies.
I know that you have been blessed with a gift! You are not only a gifted writer but have a perspective on God that this world desperately needs. We need allegories, like you create, because (our generations) are trying to prove their own intelligence by creating a system where God only visits those who understand the terms to their fullest meaning.
I don’t know if you visit churches and speak but I know of a church in Albany, Oregon who would love to have you. I don’t know what we are able to afford for a visit but I can promise an active and interested audiance. Churches in the NW have been getting older so, the current economic situation with congregations have been getting kind of sad. Please send me an email if you are interested. Regardless, please keep writing and challenging yourself to create a clearer picture of God or write about gospels and miracles; it might breath new life into the stories. God Bless
March 13, 2008
Val Thompson @ 11:13 pm:
Best book I’ve ever read. Has anyone taken the time to find Bible references?
March 20, 2008
Momof four @ 11:34 am:
I just finished The Shack last night. I needed to read one chapter at a time and then reflect on all I had just read. I am thinking of re-reading the book and referencing bible verses….Anyone else thinking the same?
March 31, 2008
Pam B. @ 10:03 am:
Wow! Read your book a while back (twice) and have encouraged everyone I know to read it too. My daughter was molested when she was young and it’s been hard to forgive the perpetrator. So the section about judgement hit me like a ton of bricks! And this today - I work with the church/ministry world and it is amazing how those in our office are treated. We have a couple here who struggle with those who are supposed to represent Jesus because of that treatment. But I like this perspective - it’ll help me remember as I work with these people daily that they are Papa’s gifts to me and I’ll also be sure to remember that they are “bringing all that they have!”
Thanks for saying yes to Him and taking us on that journey together!
April 16, 2008
cher @ 12:13 pm:
Well said! I am aptly reminded. Thank you for sharing though winsome fiction.
May 11, 2008
cecilia hamill @ 9:40 pm:
After reading that little ditty a/b pigs and big billowy cumulous butterfly clouds, if i didn’t know better i’d think you were kin to the mystery boy that i love. anyway, i love these blogs. They are so thought provoking! And i really loved Barb’s little stories from another blog, especially the one a/b her little boy who had a little trouble w/ his pronunciations. Hmmm, wish i had such an excuse for my rare but existent non-discretions.
cecilia hamill @ 9:41 pm:
indiscretions, i think that’s the word.
May 19, 2008
Lyndeka @ 12:10 pm:
As a new reader also, I have felt relieved and renewed after reading the book the first time. I am making a concious effort to be more compassionate, thoughtful and generous to others, people who treat like the enemy and with my self…for I found Jesus and ABBA as loving me inspite of so I must be more….
June 5, 2008
Anzelle @ 2:48 am:
This book changed my life. I am so much closer to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit! So excited to grow even more spiritually. It’s actually quite easy - we just have to believe that God is, that He is good and that He rewards. I am definitely giving this book as a gift to all my friends and family members for their birthday. Thank you soooo much for publishing this book. God bless!
June 10, 2008
Gloria @ 2:10 pm:
This book has changed my life. I’ve known God loved me every since I was a little girl but inside my head and my heart has been this voice saying “I’m such a screw-up, making bad decisions and choices, especially in my younger life, how could he possibly love me?” Once I completed the Shack the first time I knew with all my heart that God is ‘Especially Fond of Me’ and it’s changed my live forever. Thank you Willy.
July 22, 2008
Marilyn Michener @ 6:19 pm:
An incredible story that has left me thinking about the closer relationship I need with Him. The Shack will be in the hands of all my friends and family. It is a must read and I will be reading it again. I have a copy for our pastor and will give it to him on Sunday. Thank you, Willy, for a wonderfully inspiring book.
Monica @ 8:17 pm:
>
“It’s an observation, not a value statement.”
These are the words you wrote in my copy of ‘The Shack’ when I requested your inscription on the chapter regarding Sophia (Greek, wisdom). I didn’t understand the quotes until reading the blog today!
Thank you for gifting these words forward to me (about the lies I/you/we believe) as a reminder of our process of learning, understanding and applying the Trinity.
Monica (Greek, solitary and Latin, advisor)