THIS IS WHO WE ARE

This is what we do for the joy of the King,
For His peaceable Kingdom,
For a world in despair.
And this is why we bring any hope we can give,
Any bread from the table,
Any touch of His hand.
This is what we do.
This is where we go.
This is why we sing.
This is how we live.
This is who we are.


Saturday, September 20, 2008

Brilliant Line...Gotta Share

I'm watching HOUSE tonight.  (Sorry, Lyn...I'll watch it again when you get home.)

Anyway, the "patient of the week" just delivered a line that I think is absolutely brilliant.  I got goosebumps when she spoke it.  I froze the scene and just sat contemplating what she said.  Then I played it back several times.  Outside the Scriptures, I can't say I've ever been so instantly affected by hearing a string of two brief sentences.

Here's the context:  A young, proud female doctor on House's team is incredulous that the patient (also female) is willingly taking a "2nd fiddle" view of herself.  The patient responds with:

"We can aspire to anything, but we don't get it just because we want it.  I would rather spend my life close to the birds, than waste it wishing I had wings."

It very likely won't impact everyone the way it did me, but it was something I really needed to hear. It pretty much summarizes my life philosophy--at least as it relates to my self-assessment--but I had never attempted to verbalize it.

I feel better getting that off my chest.  Now I'll finish the show.  G'Night!

4 comments:

johnsonandjohnson said...

I LOVED that line too! I was watching it and that line stood out to me too. Great line! I didn't rewind it, but I repeated it back to myself so that I could try and remember it!

Heidi said...

Don I had an experience like that once too!

For me it was a line from Star Trek The Next Generation and was delivered by Patrick Stewart (suprise).

The context was an officer questioning the leadership of another officer. Patrick Stewart was coming to the defense of the guy who's leadership was being scrutinized.

His line was this:

"Don't confuse style with intent."

I thought it was brilliant.

I spend a lot of time looking at the WAY people do things and not at WHY they do them. We lose a lot when we do that...

great post! See? Aren't you glad you didn't shut down your blog? :)

Sarah B. said...

I think that is a great line...it means something a little different to me...don't even know if I took it the correct way. I don't totally believe in teaching my kids that they can "grow up and be whatever they want"...I know, I know, bad unsupportive Mom. BUT it is reality....Ashley isn't necessarily going to grow up and be Hannah Montana (especially because one is enough) and Ethan isn't necessarily going to play for the Angels like he wants too. But I am trying to teach them to try different things and when they try they need to put in 100% and eventually God will show them what they are destined for....but until than just enjoy the journey...but be an active participant in the journey.

Faith Jackson said...

Don,

First of all, I want to thank you for blogging. I love reading your insights and thoughts. You may or may not remember me, but I was at Johnson when you were teaching (last name Gabbey then). We briefly saw each other again at the 2000 National Church Music Conference. I must confess that when I saw how old you are, I was blown away - you are only seven years older than I am! That's nothing at the ages we are now, but back in college, I guess it seemed like so much more! I've always had a great respect for you personally, and for your talents and the way you use them for God.

Don't you just love House? And I agree, that was a profound line. When we choose to live for Christ, and we seek our lives' purpose in Him, find that it doesn't matter if we fly or not. Fulfillment and the abundant life are still ours, even when we are not in the limelight or doing the "great" works. We are the body and bride of God's Son!

Keep up the good work!

In Him,
Faith