Understanding that the bigger threat to my relationship with God is not overt sin, but instead the sins of omission and forgetting, has been a revelation to me.
I heard a pastor describe most of the things we do (in the Matrix) as “spiritual Twinkies” — food that is not a sin to eat, won’t kill you outright, but just totally devoid of nutrition. A person who lives on spiritual Twinkies looks back and discovers that they have missed so much that was good and healthy and why they are currently fat and listless.
Recognizing that being distracted is a bigger threat than some magnificent “sin” has probably helped me more than anything in my walk with God.
Yes, absolutely. Evil conquers you by a thousand cuts rather than some great assault. But to find God requires no great perfection - it just requires you to look. Even the weak stare finds its mark.
Your essay is very interesting and stimulating! It touches on many profound Biblical Principles and could easily be developed into an excellent series of Bible Class discussions.
In the interest of time - but at the obvious risk of over-simplification on my part, - you presented the basics of several important points/teachings of Genesis and Proverbs- First, the man-woman relationship, "it is not good for man to be alone," and your eventual Marriage and Family!
Secondly, the ability God gave mankind to process data from the surrounding environment and make "intellectual choices of reaction and behavior" as when Eve chose to listen to and "accept" the Serpent's Lies and eat of the Forbidden Fruit!
And, to reluctantly conclude this abbreviated comment- the basic principles and teachings of Proverbs Chapters 1 and 2 are to diligently seek Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom - with powerful metaphors as to how we are to go about achieving these qualities! The Key element of the teaching about Wisdom is in the several statements about where/how Wisdom is revealed - it "Cries Aloud" from the "street - the square - the main concourse - at the city gates;" in other words, it is ubiquitous and all around us! (See also Chapter 8.)
However, we must realize that just as Wisdom cries aloud all around us - so also does Evil "cry aloud" all around us! The important point is - we must practice "Discernment" in order to separate the two - which gets us back to the Study, Knowledge, Understanding, and Application of God's Word as we "process" the continual bombardment of "data" we "see and hear!"
Encapsulates a damaging mind set, but is it working? I posit the election of DJT, proves it’s not. I also believe there’s enough rational people born out of this insanity that will hold fast to God and push back on Evil manipulations. As more scales fall from the people’s eyes and corruption and government mismanagement is revealed, this push back will become more powerful as people start questioning Everything.
Well I'm afraid I would personally see DJT as very much part of the system and, if anything, his election more likely to re-engage people back into the Matrix who might otherwise have escaped. Like I said, in the essay, the System doesn't care about right and wrong as such, just whether you're sufficiently distracted by its machinations.
That love story of yours conquered all the problems and evil, the history of injustice and sin I was involved in while reading this beautiful essay. You made my day better. I wish you all the best.
Your post was a thoughtful and intriguing piece. I know I'll re-read it at least once in a day or two.
Your ending evoked thoughts of my own situation. The girl I fell head-over-heels for in the third grade ended up going in a different direction (and marriage) after high school. But about 40 years later, we re-established contact, reunited, and spent the most glorious years of my life for most of that time. Then in the summer of '23, that scourge, Alzheimers, took my soulmate from me. But not her memory...:-)
Oh my gosh. I'm sorry for how it ended but happy that you found each other again and had that time together. It is real in a way that nothing else is and so then are you and she.
Well said. The works of Philip K Dick have a similar thread to the matrix. I’m slowly working my way through some of them (he’s difficult to read at the best of times). Gnostic thought - we live in an iron prison made by an angry god which he says is Rome, and he explores ways to escape it (which he’s not very good at doing). David Icke too, in his book The Dream, which leaves a sense of futility in your mouth. Bring God in and everything changes.
... it was so lovely to end on a note that made me smile deeply - thank you
I feel the same - it was very lovely.
Understanding that the bigger threat to my relationship with God is not overt sin, but instead the sins of omission and forgetting, has been a revelation to me.
I heard a pastor describe most of the things we do (in the Matrix) as “spiritual Twinkies” — food that is not a sin to eat, won’t kill you outright, but just totally devoid of nutrition. A person who lives on spiritual Twinkies looks back and discovers that they have missed so much that was good and healthy and why they are currently fat and listless.
Recognizing that being distracted is a bigger threat than some magnificent “sin” has probably helped me more than anything in my walk with God.
Yes, absolutely. Evil conquers you by a thousand cuts rather than some great assault. But to find God requires no great perfection - it just requires you to look. Even the weak stare finds its mark.
Excellent wisdom. I will remember this.
Your essay is very interesting and stimulating! It touches on many profound Biblical Principles and could easily be developed into an excellent series of Bible Class discussions.
In the interest of time - but at the obvious risk of over-simplification on my part, - you presented the basics of several important points/teachings of Genesis and Proverbs- First, the man-woman relationship, "it is not good for man to be alone," and your eventual Marriage and Family!
Secondly, the ability God gave mankind to process data from the surrounding environment and make "intellectual choices of reaction and behavior" as when Eve chose to listen to and "accept" the Serpent's Lies and eat of the Forbidden Fruit!
And, to reluctantly conclude this abbreviated comment- the basic principles and teachings of Proverbs Chapters 1 and 2 are to diligently seek Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom - with powerful metaphors as to how we are to go about achieving these qualities! The Key element of the teaching about Wisdom is in the several statements about where/how Wisdom is revealed - it "Cries Aloud" from the "street - the square - the main concourse - at the city gates;" in other words, it is ubiquitous and all around us! (See also Chapter 8.)
However, we must realize that just as Wisdom cries aloud all around us - so also does Evil "cry aloud" all around us! The important point is - we must practice "Discernment" in order to separate the two - which gets us back to the Study, Knowledge, Understanding, and Application of God's Word as we "process" the continual bombardment of "data" we "see and hear!"
Wow, I didn't realise I'd done all that. :)
This is exceptionally well-written, amongst the 10,000 word pedants and the various esoteric thinky pieces. Man. It grabbed me by the guts. Thank you.
Wow, that's a great compliment. Thank you.
Encapsulates a damaging mind set, but is it working? I posit the election of DJT, proves it’s not. I also believe there’s enough rational people born out of this insanity that will hold fast to God and push back on Evil manipulations. As more scales fall from the people’s eyes and corruption and government mismanagement is revealed, this push back will become more powerful as people start questioning Everything.
Well I'm afraid I would personally see DJT as very much part of the system and, if anything, his election more likely to re-engage people back into the Matrix who might otherwise have escaped. Like I said, in the essay, the System doesn't care about right and wrong as such, just whether you're sufficiently distracted by its machinations.
I can understand this thinking. Not quite there yet. Call me a hopium.
Nice read, echoes of Paul Kingsnorth sentiments on the machine.
Yeah, Paul calls it the Machine. John Waters calls it the Combine. Many recognise it.
You don't need to define it, but you know it when you see it!
First time reader… hooked. Great piece.
Thanks so much.
You said it, quite succinctly
God is real
The matrix is real
Happiness is a choice
Most choose virtual death
That love story of yours conquered all the problems and evil, the history of injustice and sin I was involved in while reading this beautiful essay. You made my day better. I wish you all the best.
Thanks so much!
One philosopher said - when Western civilization collapes most people will be laughing, as if watching something on a screen.
Quite possible!
Your post was a thoughtful and intriguing piece. I know I'll re-read it at least once in a day or two.
Your ending evoked thoughts of my own situation. The girl I fell head-over-heels for in the third grade ended up going in a different direction (and marriage) after high school. But about 40 years later, we re-established contact, reunited, and spent the most glorious years of my life for most of that time. Then in the summer of '23, that scourge, Alzheimers, took my soulmate from me. But not her memory...:-)
Oh my gosh. I'm sorry for how it ended but happy that you found each other again and had that time together. It is real in a way that nothing else is and so then are you and she.
Thank you for sharing.
Well said. The works of Philip K Dick have a similar thread to the matrix. I’m slowly working my way through some of them (he’s difficult to read at the best of times). Gnostic thought - we live in an iron prison made by an angry god which he says is Rome, and he explores ways to escape it (which he’s not very good at doing). David Icke too, in his book The Dream, which leaves a sense of futility in your mouth. Bring God in and everything changes.
Interesting. Icke believes we live in a literal simulation?
Yes. He’s a big believer in simulation theory alright.
Does his theory extend to why the Stimulation simulates him?
Safety?
Superb analysis and I’m so delighted about that lovely girl!
Now that's good writing. Thank you for it.
This was absolutely wonderful. I really mean that. Wonderful.
That’s a great ending