Joseph Smith is reported as advising certain brotheren, after other non believers/non mormons would call out that he was a fallen-prophet because he would get down and play with the children whenever he could, that 'If you kept your bow constantly tied and the string taut, that your bow would lose its spring' meaning that you can't go around all day, every day, wound-up to the maximum level. You have to relax and do other things that aren't going to necessitate you be posed to battle every-little-thing, as if you were at war!
Likewise, C. S. Lewis, in his book, The Weight of Glory, reminds us that the Master himself advised his followers that we need to ask for our daily bread and not to let the thought of not having our daily bread tomorrow or the next day or next week, etc. be our concern... You see, even the children of Israel, when they were wandering in the desert for 30 years were commanded to gather only enough sustenance (bread in this case...) for that day, and if they gathered more than that, the manna would spoil and have maggots!
Again, C. S. Lewis writes, "Happy work is best done by the man who takes long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord.'"
Some may see this post as terribly ironic and even comically ironic that I write a blog about not being so serious and yet, at the same time, fill the blog with scriptural quotes and theological references... Little steps, little steps... I am working on it and will keep more in mind that I can't keep my bow constantly taut!!!
JPS
I like the thoughts Josh, Thanks! I also have the goal to live more in the moment and not be so uptight. Dave has really helped me with this because he is so laid back:)
ReplyDeletejps, what exactly would one do to unstring the bow? and at what point does unstringing the bow become a sin? and is that ok if it's classified as unstringing the bow?
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