A Sweeter Song

Greek mythology tells of a certain group of evil, conniving mermaids-the Sirens. These mermaids, though spectacular in beauty, were devilish and diabolical. Their weapon was the intoxicating song that they sang. Sitting atop their rocks, the Sirens would sing their tempting tune as ships passed. It was a powerful enticement that no hot-blooded man could resist. With their lustful melody, the Sirens could control the wills of men. Their song could woo even the most steely hearted ship captains to turn their vessels toward the Siren's rocky coastline. Their music lured ship after ship into a watery grave.
Enter Ulysses-a ship captain of great renown whose noble mission forces him to pass those terrible Siren shores. But Ulysses is determined that he will not fall victim to their allurement as so many others have done. So as he approaches the deadly Siren coastline, he commands his crew to stuff beeswax in their ears so they won't be overcome by the haunting songs.
Ulysses himself is intrigued to hear the music that has sent so many mighty sailors to their death. But he knows he cannot withstand the temptation. So he commands his crew to tie him to the mast of the ship, and tie him tight. He reasons that he can safely listen to the Sirens' song while bound to the mast since the ropes will render him unable to steer his ship in the wrong direction.
As the intoxicating Siren melody fills the air, Ulysses is overcome with uncontrollable longing to steer his ship toward their dangerous shore. His knees buckle and his mind swoons under the sway of the Siren sounds. He screams for his crew to turn the boat toward the singing, but his crew is already under orders not to heed his voice while he is under the mermaids' spell.
Ulysses curses, writhing in agony, consumed with only one thought-"I must get closer to the music! I must quench this insatiable thirst for more of the Sirens' song!" He furiously seeks to untie the ropes that bind him. But his efforts are useless, and he shakes in misery until finally the mermaid music fades to nothingness and his ship sails beyond its terrifying reach.
When the danger is past, Ulysses is untied. He falls to the deck of the ship, exhausted and humiliated by the entire episode.
And yet, Ulysses is a hero. He did what few had ever done before him-he made it past the temptation. He escaped death upon the rocks.
His crew applauds their strong and noble captain for his amazing feat. He succeeded in escaping danger in spite of the fact that he was miserable the entire time.


Greek legend has it that there was another noble captain who braved the lurid waters of the Sirens. In fact, he wasn't far behind Ulysses. His name was Orpheus. And his approach to the Siren threat was very different than that of Ulysses. He didn't use beeswax, and he didn't use rope. He wasn't afraid of the Sirens. He looked upon the dangerous coastline as an opportunity.
As his ship approached the Siren enticement, his crew let out a shout of joy.
"The Sirens! The Sirens! Captain Orpheus, it is time!"
While Ulysses' crew had been filled with dread as they approached this legendary danger, Orpheus's crew was buoyant with excitement. Some, in fact, had joined Orpheus's crew just for this very occasion.
"Bring me the case!" boomed Orpheus, as the sailors cheered.
A beautifully adorned case was brought to Orpheus. He smiled as he opened it. The crew surrounded him, their eyes filled with eager anticipation. Orpheus slowly removed from the case a lovely musical instrument, studded with jewels and plated with precious metals.
"Play it, Captain!" roared the crew, as their eyes transfixed upon their hero. "Play us your song!"
As the Sirens' sweet melody began to fill the air, Orpheus began to play his own instrument. It was the most perfect music human ears had ever heard. Each crewman became lost in the grandeur and majesty of the song.
All too soon the Siren coastline was out of sight and the master musician concluded the song that he himself had composed. Not a single man aboard ship had been tempted by the Sirens' melody. In fact, no one even noticed it. Though the mermaids' music was alluring and sweet, Orpheus played for his crew ... a sweeter song.




Eric & Leslie Ludy
(Told to me by Larry McCall at Christ's Covenant Church)

You Knew What It Was

Sitting under RVL's teaching again this past weekend was a blessing, an honor, a beautiful refreshing breath of air. At the start of the Saturday session he shared a story often told by the rabbis. It has so caught my attention that I thought I'd share it here.

--------------------

Once there was a rabbi who decided to climb to the top of the mountain of God. It was a long walk to the base of the mountain and when he got there he sat down on a rock to catch his breath before starting the long climb.

A black scorpion - the deadly kind - came and sat next to him on the rock. "Where are you going?" the scorpion asked the rabbi.

"I am going to climb to the top of the mountain," the rabbi said.

"I am wanting to go to the top of the mountain too," the scorpion said. "Pick me up and let me ride on your shoulder."

"No," the rabbi said. "You will pull back your tail and sting me, and then I will die."

"Why would I do that?" asked the scorpion. "If I were to sting you and you were to die, how would I get to the top?"

The rabbi thought about that for a moment and decided that the scorpion made a logical argument. He picked him up, set him on his shoulder and started the climb.

By the time the rabbi had climbed about a third of the way up, the climb being arduous, he was tired and covered with sweat. As he stopped to rest, the scorpion on his shoulder reared back his tail and stung the rabbi in the neck.

The rabbi fell to the ground, and as his throat began to swell shut and he knew he would die, he looked at the scorpion. "Why did you do that...?" he choked.

"Don't blame me," said the scorpion. "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

--------------------

We each have those things that we allow to ride on our shoulders - habits, strongholds, "pet" sins. And we can each act surprised when we're "stung." But who is to blame? I know what it is when I pick it up and set it on my shoulder - no matter how logical an argument it makes.  And so do you.

I will be 25...someday.

I once was the girl who built her life around resolutions. New Years was a big time for me. Now, well...I've embraced the truth that His mercies "are new every morning." I don't have to wait for a new year, a new month or a new week to "start over fresh." I finish out the day, lay my head on my pillow, close my eyes and breathe out a sigh. When I open them again, it is a fresh new beginning.

I like this.

However, I am realizing that a pivitol point is approaching for me. In just under five months, I will be turning 25. I will be able to rent a car, have less to pay for my insurance and will have released the last vestige of childhood. I will be an adult.

Apparently, some are already under the delusion that I am an adult. I'm enjoying the charade.

These next few months are going to go by speedily. I have made up my mind to accomplish a small list of things before that day arrives. Not a bucket list...more like an espresso mug list. Though perfecting my espresso making is not on the list.

I had in mind to post the list - but I think I'm going to enjoy the deliciousness of a secret for a little while. I enjoy secrets. Little ones, not big ones. Big ones give me indigestion. But I digress.

I have 131 days left before I mark through a quarter of a century. This will take some planning.

Just thoughts.

My heart is yearning for a connection. It is restless. My family is here and the time together is wonderful. There is a connection made...but it is only in one part of my heart. Friends and I have exchanged gifts and cards and words and connections are made. But again those connections only reach certain places of my heart. There is a connection made...a tugging heart string... to a heart I know but a face I don't know yet. There is a bit of ache where this connection is - a hope deferred. But still it is only one place of my heart, and it is not the point that yearns.

This day, a celebration of You. And yet I feel You absent. No, not absent. Not acknowledged. By others, yes. My own heart? ....I have nodded in Your direction, offered a pithy phrase, but for the duration of the day nothing more. Yet my heart desires to pull aside and be alone...with You.

My heart is yearning for a connection. A connection with You. Meet with me? At this late hour? The day is not yet over.

Tomorrow.

I find that tomorrow is often my worst enemy. It is a black hole swallowing up good intentions and well meant plans.

"I'll do it tomorrow."
"I'll start tomorrow."
"It can wait until tomorrow."

I am leaving vital decisions and actions in the hands of a vague concept - a non-reality. Tomorrow doesn't actually exist and yet I lean so heavily upon it, while underestimating today and the potential it contains.

The Question Is...

After an evening of wonderful conversation and stirring musical performance I found myself facing a thrilling drive home through inches of slush and driving snow. (Not to mention insane North Carolina drivers.)

To pass the time I continued the conversation in the car. God and I have great times talking when I'm driving by myself. Although I'm sure it is quite humorous to be a driver in another car looking in at me having a wonderful discussion...by myself. Sigh. Ah well.
The dialogue on the drive home consisted mainly of questions... and not always with answers to follow up.

Who...? What...? Where...? Why...? When...? How...? (I always felt a little sorry for "how," what with all the other words starting with "w." I always thought I should invent a synonym to "how" that started with "w" but, alas, this is another of my grand ideas that has yet to see fruition. One day...)

You'd be surprised how deep simple questions starting with simple words can get.

Who am I?
What is my passions/goals/desires/path/call?
Where am I headed?
Why am I so blessed?
When will I know ______? (Filled in with a myriad of words.)
How will I know ______? (Filled in with the same words as above.)

The conversation was laughably punctuated with occasional fish tailing shrieks, accurate commentary on the driving skills of others and the sporadic "Oh Lord...!"

I don't think we realize how "reactionary" our thinking and speaking can become in living our day-to-day lives. It doesn't cause a probing of the depths of mind, soul, spirit to respond to most of what we come across in everyday life. We don't stop, pause, think. Oh and I miss it. I enjoy the opportunity to intelligently discuss, dialogue, debate and disagree. Good conversation causes a stirring of stagnant waters in our minds. It forces us to recognize things in ourselves that are more easily passed over in day-to-day reactionary speech.

And what I recognized on that long trek back to the warmth of home and the safety (and lolling, sleepy seduction) of all that is familiar is that I have more questions than answers...and questions I don't even know to ask yet.

I never saw it.

Growing up in church, teenage girls are told over and over (and over) again:

Song of Solomon 2:7
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Solomon 3:5
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Solomon 8:4
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

I guess it makes sense that it is repeated to us so often as it is repeated often in scripture. But what I never heard or saw, in all those years, is that the verse doesn't apply to just our hearts.

We are told to "guard our hearts" but what about the responsibility we have to guard the hearts of others? Only so much depends on us, I realize, but girls we are fooling ourselves if we say we have no responsibility whatsoever.

Do not awaken love in ourselves or arouse it in others... until it so desires.

Until what so desires? It? Love. God is love. (I John 4:8) Until God so desires?

Oh...