Taking action

When we are moved to act, what is that which generated the need to act? Either external or internal doesn’t matter, what does matter is source of the move to act. Are we moved to act because of an emotional response or an academic response? In other words, have we thought about how we respond or are we simply acting from a state of passion?
It really does come down to this either / or situation.  Upon what is our response grounded?  As an Orthodox Christian, I believe that a response ought to be built upon that which is true, not that which is felt in the moment.  And this sort of thing doesn't just happen.  One must exercise or practice this response.  When spoken poorly to, when lashed out against, when criticized or mocked, how do we respond?  We must stop and think about what is the right thing to do, not merely respond, because a response like that will merely be based on flesh.  Of course, when one practices responding according to faith, eventually our immediate response will be based on faith,  But this we must practice and think through.

Needs

I typically don’t understand other people very well and I don’t understand emotions, in myself or in others.  Granted, from a logical perspective, I can understand why certain events or situations can cause duress and grief in someone (myself included), but emotionally, not so much. 

That being said, I do understand that people have needs (myself included) and I’ve come to realize that those needs, when not met, can cause horrible things to happen.   “Not seeing the forest for the trees”, “blind to oneself”, “one cannot watch oneself from the outside”, these sayings and more go a long-ways to explain what takes place.  When any one particular need is not met, one, through self-blindness will reach out, sometimes in very bizarre and destructive ways, in an attempt to fulfill those needs. 

The big question, in my mind at least, is what does one do to alleviate/avoid these situations, especially when seeing or understanding these needs does not come naturally?  And secondly, how does one respond “after the fact”?  What does one do when damage has already been done, when personality has already been formed, when decisions have been made that cannot be undone? 

Speaking retrospectively really is not that helpful, but can be for other situations. So to recognize and avoid the problem, the first step would be to ask the question, “What are the needs?”  I cannot even begin to articulate just how difficult this process can be (or typically is).  Learning to ask the question (to one’s self) and then knowing how to take care of the needs of that person, all the while doing so in a loving, non-invasive, non-derogatory manner.  Maybe this is simple and straightforward for some people, but certainly not for me.  

Ask the question, “What is the need?”

Feelings and prayer

How we feel about things, usually has its place and that includes our prayer life.  But at the same time,  our feelings during prayer is really irrelevant.
If we feel that God is far away from us, we can typically account for this by our own lack of devotion.  But because we know God is a God of love, we know he is never far from us.  Even when it feels that way,  we should be that much more aggressive in our prayers, as our hearts need to change.
When we don't feel like praying for a particular person or situation, again that is the time when we should be praying most.
When we feel angry, jealous, depressed or otherwise, we as followers of Christ, should know that God is with us. Regardless of how we feel,  There is always the good, the right and the true. And those are the things that should direct our thoughts and actions,  not our feelings.
At the same time,  when we have feelings of love and devotion toward God and neighbor,  that is a good thing,  for this is what we are called to.
Fickleness should not be the driver in our life.

The church as joy

Something I have noticed in my many years of church attendance, is that of people's attitudes.  Many, many churches use music and words to manipulate people's emotions.  Not all, but many.  Depending on the church, this creates an expectation of one particular attitude during worship.
Some people come into church with an expression of sobriety.  Others come like they're going to the circus.  Others, indifference.
And even odder still, is the variety of responses one will receive if asked what the attitude "should" be. Again, it depends on the church. I will, hopefully, communicate the Orthodox understanding.
When you think about what it is that we are doing, about who God is and what he has done for us, the response can only be joy.  Even in the knowledge of our often sinful state, we still should be overwhelmingly joyful. I'm not taking grinning giddiness, or happy-clappy "Jesus is my buddy" kind of nonsense. I'm talking about deep down joy at the prospect of continually developing a relationship with the God who loves us. A joy that knows that no matter what, God loves us and is moving us toward holiness.  A joy that knows we no longer live under an iron fist of law, but instead an indwelling of his Holy Spirit, moving us and helping us love God and love neighbor.
Coming into a worship service should be awe-inspiring but at the same time, fulfilling, refreshing and encouraging.  Every time we worship, we are living the life that the people of God in the old covenant, only looked forward to, but could not attain.
We come into the presence of an all God who loves us. It doesn't get any better than that.