I just recently finished The Shack and actually re-read the middle portion slowly and carefully. This book can be interpreted as a touching story of the loss of a child, and a father's quest for setting things right. If interpreted this way, it is truly beautiful and redeeming, and very touching. Lots of tears were held back (yes, my mother's daughter) as I read the story. It can also be interpreted as a theological philosophy, a set of ideas and theories that could serve as the basis of one's faith. As I read the book, I realized that so many of these ideas and theories correlate with many of my own thoughts on my personal faith and "religion". As a Catholic, who chooses to remain Catholic, there are many rules, expectations, and doctrine that guides the faith of the people. I have decided long ago to pick and choose out of that basket, which I have always felt was a bit cowardly. For example, I do not believe in receiving credit for my monetary contributions to the church, I think that is corruption at its finest, that we are somehow judged based upon our financial support of the church. I believe a "plate" offering (money without an envelope) is the way to go. Or, I choose to support our Catholic school to my maximal financial potential, as opposed to the church itself. I have also struggled with the concept of confession, but have since decided (begrudgingly) that it is the most real way for me to stand face-to-face with my mistakes and shortcomings, and for me to feel true repentance for them. When I am in church, I rarely am focused on the scripture readings or the sermon, nor am I focused on the procedures of the Mass. I am focused on the presence of God, reflecting on his presence in my life during the week, and doing my best to express my thanks for all of the gifts I have been given. Oh, but this all sounds so righteous, doesn't it? Reading this book helped me to realize how much work I have to do, particularly in relating to other people who I live with and work with. The book helped me to see how wrong righteousness is, how the biggest wrong we can commit against each other is judgment. And how often do we judge? I can only speak for myself, but I participate in judgment on a daily, if not more frequent basis. How hard can it be to let go of judgment? Judgment makes me feel better, like a better person. It allows me to exert my goodness above someone else's wrongs. Oh, boy, do I have a lot of work to do!
I have assembled some of my favorite quotes from the book, the ones that give me the ability to ponder, that make me stop and think. I plan to carry them with me in my planner and hope to find the faith to review them and allow them to help guide me toward being a better person.
“When all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of me?”
“The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love.”
“Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not a part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters.”
“Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.”
“Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace.”
“Faith does not grow in the house of certainty.”
“My love is a lot bigger than your stupidity.”
“Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don’t. If I take away the consequences of people’s choices, I destroy the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.”
“You demand your independence, but then complain that I actually love you enough to give it to you.”
“It is not the nature of love to force a relationship but it is the nature of love to open the way.”
“But can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake.”
“Responsibilities and expectations are the basis of guilt and shame and judgment, and they provide the essential framework that promotes performance as the basis for identity and value.”
“Why would I have any expectation other than what I already know? That would be foolish. And beyond that, because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me.”
“This is not about shaming you. I don’t do humiliation, or guilt, or condemnation. They don’t produce one speck of wholeness or righteousness, and that is why they were nailed into Jesus on the cross.”
“Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person’s throat.”
“Forgiveness is first for you, the forgiver, to release you from something that will eat you alive; that will destroy your joy and your ability to love fully and openly.”
“Forgiveness does not excuse anything.”
“You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely.”
“This world is full of tears, but if you remember I promised that it would be Me who would wipe them from your eyes”
I think this is a book every person should read and experience. It is not a book for Catholics, or for Christians. It is a book for every person who believes in the existence of God. It is for those who are solid in their faith, and for those of us who are always searching for the answers. The book truly contains words to live by.
Deep post, I know, but I want to share these thoughts with anyone who is reading this, that you might seek out some reflection of your own. If we all seek to eliminate the actions we commit that are hurtful and evil, this world would be a better place.
