Saturday, 10 January 2009
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"The Sin of Sloth" - A New Year's Resolution
Of the many paintings at the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s portrayal of Adam and God is probably one of the most well known and easily one of the most magnificent. Sure, you’ve all seen it, but have you looked at it closely? Studied it? Given more than just a passive thought as to what it’s supposed to be representing? I’d like you to take such a look at it with me now, because this particular work of art holds a profound message which happens to be very important to us as people, and more importantly as Christians.Look at the figure that represents God. Notice how his body is stretched out and twisted, his muscles are taught, his finger is pointed and his eyes are gazing directly into Adam’s heart and soul. Notice how the painting depicts the sense of urgency that God and all his creation has to connect with mankind. Do you see it? Now take a look at Adam, the representation of mankind. His posture is a little different, isn’t it? He appears laid back. His muscles aren’t taught, the posture of his hand is saying, “Well, I’m not sure I want to lift that finger.” His finger is just kind of laying there, there’s a gap between his hand and God’s, and it almost looks as if Adam, mankind, is waiting for God to do a little bit more to close the gap. And God did. He gave us his son, Jesus Christ. What else could he do? We weren’t being obedient, we weren’t in tune to his love, so he made the greatest demonstration of love possible by sending his own son to die on the cross for us.
Friends, sometimes I think we live this way. God is rushing at us, passionately pursuing us so that we may come to know him. He wants us to experience his love in compelling ways, and we’re just passively living our lives, saying, “Yea, I’m a Christian.” Even while knowing that he’s given everything including his own son Jesus Christ for us, we ask for more. As we begin this new year in 2009, I’d like to invite you into a life of passion and urgency to know God with the same sense of urgency in which God wants to know you. The distance between us and God at any given moment is small, and all he asks us to do is respond by receiving through grace his gift of Jesus Christ, and by faith trusting him with our lives.
The past year has brought terrible tragedies to thousands of people, me included. In this new year, I challenge you to revamp your faith, to persist and prevail in prayer, and to succeed in doing God's mighty will. This is a terrible situation we're in, and it's going to take some miracles to get out of it. Go with God, and be the miracle.
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Comments (30)
Very beautiul post. What a good interpretation of the painting -- how true as well. You know, how often do we, as humans, just lay back beacuase it is easy or convienet for us? Many people today do in fact call themselves Christian, but few act like they should. Lots of times we will not give any thought to the religious significance of acts, whether secular or rightous; instead we just consider how we will feel while doing it, who will see us, will we get caught? and how will we feel afterwards. I firmly believe that when we die, God will ask us how many people we brought to Him.
One of my friends at work is going to help out at a homeless shelter in March, he asked me to come along if I have the time off. He said in order to get an idea of how bad their living circumstances are, I should imagine 19,000 people using one bathroom! He said it cant even be done now, so they went up to build tolits and sinks, bought them tolitpaper and other supplies. He went up over Christmas and said it was life changing, these little boys get a pack of socks, and they act like it is the best gift in the world. Now, I used to think differently about helping out these people becuase they take away from my fammial time; however, to know that there is a cause greater than myself in the world would prolly be the best feeling in my life.
@westernsoul@revelife - I may not be homless (yet), but I can tell you the last year has been life changing for me as well. I actually asked for socks this year because every pair I owned was loaded with holes, and I couldn't afford to buy new socks myself. Needless to say, opening that pack of socks was a totally new and wonderful experience this time around. I don't know if you've found my Revelife site yet, but check it out. revelife.com/vwagenjetta
I think the lackadaisical attitude you've described is truly a pandemic! And I'm probably among the worst cases.
Thanks for the challenge. I will take it to heart...and hopefully, mind, soul, and spirit too!
@yertmax6680 - God bless, and good luck to you.
amen...that's going to stick with my heart for a long time. i never looked at the painting that way before.
@krn_shorty12 - Well, I'm happy to have given you some insight. Thanks commenting.
Amazing interpretation of this piece of art. The reference to Adam's hesitance says it all. SO MANY people keep waiting for God to "prove" himself as if they're worthy of it...but yet, he has...and they're not worthy of it. He sent his son to die for us! Isn't it odd, all he has to do is extend his finger...such a simple act.
@jediwa72 - Odd indeed. Thanks for commenting.
one of the best blogs i've read in a long time. exactly what i needed to hear and great interpretation of the painting. never really thought of it like that before!
thanks for posting!
@Xx_Kittt_xX - I'm happy to hear it, and to have offered you some insight. Thanks!
Whoa, that was good! Great post.
Very nicely written!
What an amazing post. This is definitely one of those major sins that I have to work on. May this be the year I passionately pursue (maybe reach) God!
it's almost breathtaking to imagine how different society and the church would be if we pursued God with passion in all we do. it's been that way many times before and it always has the effect of of revitalizing the nations it occurs in- let us pray we see such revival in our nation soon.
@Krissy_Cole - Thank you.
@LucyWrites - Seriously, good luck in that endeavor. God wants to reach you as much as he wants you to reach him!
@embrown88 - Thank you. I thought so.
@PreciousOnyx - Isn't it though? What a world it would be if everybody passionatly pursued God in the same ways he pursues us.
hey, I really enjoyed your post. I took an art history class a couple of years ago in college and learned so much. Michelangelo was a cynic who took every opportunity to 'stick it' to the pope and the church. Not that it should change your post, but knowing the background info on this amazing artist puts a little irony in the fact that Christians enjoy this work so much.
I just thought I'd share that with you.
Great interpretation! Very well written and thought provoking.
What a simple yet profound message. I whole-heartedly agree with you!
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. (Luke 10:25-28)
I think it's important that we remember that this Way we follow is a "boots on the ground" thing, not a magical mystical, teary-eyed mushroom trip. As the verses above demonstrate, a relationship with Eternal Father requires more than just emotional love. Please allow me to join you in encouraging brothers and sisters to seek His will, His mind, and His face more passionately than ever, and exhort all to get into Father's Word more deeply than ever! Apply your mind to it! Put the Word in you, put God in you!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
Don't just skim over it mechanically, study it! Then get your boots on the ground and "go Samaritan" on someone! Peace!
@silentautumnlife - The best thing about art is that it doesn't matter what the artist was thinking, or what message he was trying to get across at the time. What matters is what it means to you, the person looking at it, whether that be while the paint's drying or hundreds of years afterward. You have a point, but my point is that anything, no matter what it's intent or meaning, can be interpreted in as many different ways as there are different people. Thanks for commenting, and for the interesting insight.
Well, I'm not Christian or anything, but I do appreciate your interpretation of the painting!
This was an awesome blog, awesome ideas & I totally agree. well written too. =) I'm just saying, I loved it lol
One of my resolutions this year is to be more firm in my faith and conviction :)
Thank you for a beautiful post :) amen
Technically, Adam wasn't even supposed to be alive yet in this captured moment...You know, breathing the breath of life and all that... But I do love your interpretation. Had to be the art major who points out the obvious and well known. :) I apologize haha.
But truly, a good message. And good use of art to tie it all together.