Wabi Sabi
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SR
Say from the outset, I might step on your toes today, I’m going to preach at you. I might even elbow you in the ribs a bit. But I don’t do it as one who stands at a distance pointing fingers or judging, but as a member in the body of Christ who loves and appreciates his brothers and sisters and who is called to tell the truth, and feels compelled to call us higher.
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.” It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching.
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching.
Heard the term on “The Man in the High Castle” (?) Recommend. As I’ve been doing my life the term has continued to pop in my mind as something that I really resonate with and I thought I would share it with you.
Before you think I’ve become a Buddhist priest, I’ll guess that these ideas aren’t new to your life experience and they certainly aren’t antithetical to our Christian faith.
"If an object or expression can bring about, within us, a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing, then that object could be said to be wabi-sabi." "Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."
"If an object or expression can bring about, within us, a sense of serene melancholy and a spiritual longing, then that object could be said to be wabi-sabi." "Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."
1. Nothing lasts
1. Nothing lasts
Nothing lasts
We know this. Nothing lasts. Things you buy wear out. The carpet needs to be replaced. The technology you have is already old. And despite your best intentions, you’ve even broken your own promises and commitments. Broken “H” glass.
“This too shall pass.”
Kerry Livgren’s name is not widely known, but this Christian songwriter/guitar player wrote two songs that anybody who listens to rock music knows well. Though he was an active musician in the 70’s and 80’s these two songs are still popular on the radio today. One is a ghostly ballad in a minor key “Dust in the Wind.” (If you’re into rock you can guess the other one):
I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone. All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind. All they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind
Now, don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away. And all your money won't another minute buy
Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind
A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Kerry Livgren Dust in the Wind
As those who are moving down the road of life it’s common to look back at our life so far and ask “where has the time gone?” “What happened”? Maybe God is getting our attention. Yeah, what is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while and vanishes. Caesar--humidity levels and vaporizer.
Response isn’t discouragement: “oh my life is so short and meaningless, nothing matters.” No. It’s very short but so meaningful. *What are we waiting around for? Why do we think change or growth or that thing I’ve been meaning to do is just around the corner? Just after I finish this. I’ll get around to it. Work for things eternal.
Response isn’t discouragement. Work for things eternal
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
The flowers fade
2. Nothing is Finished
Life is a mist
2. Nothing is Finished.
Examples from life: new fence, backyard, gardening, house work, home repairs,
Look a the lillies
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
“Funnel.” Big picture Kingdom down to local church. Apostles=those who have seen the risen Lord and are commissioned/sent by him. Prophets (NT)=those who spoke truth to the young church before there was a written cannon of scripture (e.g., Agabus in Ax 11 who predicted a famine, Stephen in Ax 21 who had 4 daughters who prophesied). Evangelists=localized itinerant preachers like Timothy who fed several local churches, and Pastors and teachers who were gifted to be responsible for the day-to-day building up of the church.
Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary b. Diversity in Unity (4:7–16)
Three phrases are now used in this verse to describe the purpose of the spiritual gifts just named. As different translations indicate, the three have been connected in various ways.
Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary b. Diversity in Unity (4:7–16)
12. Three phrases are now used in this verse to describe the purpose of the spiritual gifts just named. As different translations indicate, the three have been connected in various ways. The AV took each of them separately. The difference of the prepositions in the Greek is against this, and at least implies that the later two are dependent on the first. It is probably correct to understand the second to depend closely on the first, and the third on the two that precede: to [Gk. pros] equip the saints for [Gk. eis] the work of ministry, for [Gk. eis] building up the body of Christ.
Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary b. Diversity in Unity (4:7–16)
It is probably correct to understand the second to depend closely on the first, and the third on the two that precede: to [Gk. pros] equip the saints for [Gk. eis] the work of ministry, for [Gk. eis] building up the body of Christ.
So we have 1) Equip the Saints, 2) Work of Ministry (“Service” in NIV), 3) Build up the Body. These aren’t linear. They’re all happening at once since we’re all at different levels of growth. “Equipping” the Saints. Equip is a term used only once in the NT. But similar ideas have to do with: repairing something (); God’s bringing the universe in the beginning into its intended shape and order (); and of restoring to spiritual health a person who has fallen ().
It may be also ‘perfecting’ what is lacking in the faith of Christians. We have a lot of spiritual gifts and tools. We’re still working on these three though. My sense is we do a pretty good job of #3 building each other up and encouraging each other-we visit each other, pray for each other, have fellowship meals, carry each other’s burdens. I’d suggest where we need work is #2 the work of ministry. God has given the church these gifted preachers, teachers and pastors, not only for a wonderful variety of topics to discuss on Sundays which I know we love, but for challenging and calling the church for ministry in the world. I know we’ve been working out lately what does that ministry look like, who are we called to be in SM. But as our topic suggests we’re not finished yet, we still have more work to do in this area and I hope we don’t give up on the important work we’re doing and discussions we’re having.
One commentator writes that the word “equip” has to do with: ‘the bringing of the saints to a condition of fitness for the discharge of their functions in the Body that they may be fitted for the work of ministry. As clearly as in verse 7 it is thus implied that every Christian has a work of ministry, a spiritual task and function in the body. What does that all mean? There’s still work to do! God isn’t finished with us yet Sierra Madre! How do I know this?
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
I would say though that SM is fairly equipped. We know the Bible well and have been walking with God for a while. We have a lot of spiritual gifts and tools. We’re still working on these three though. My sense is we do a pretty good job of #3 building each other up and encouraging each other-we visit each other, pray for each other, have fellowship meals, carry each other’s burdens. I’d suggest where we need work is #2 the work of ministry. God has given the church these gifted preachers, teachers and pastors, not only for a wonderful variety of topics to discuss on Sundays which I know we love, but for challenging and calling the church for ministry in the world. I know we’ve been working out lately what does that ministry look like, who are we called to be in SM. But as our topic suggests we’re not finished yet, we still have more work to do in this area and I hope we don’t give up on the important work we’re doing and discussions we’re having.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Lofty aspirations indeed. We’re not there yet. Nothing is finished.
3. Nothing is Perfect
Thing that happened in my life: Broke dad’s glass, stepped on a succulent, bought expensive headphones that had a loud screech.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
3. Nothing is Perfect
What we have in this life is “partialness.” It’s pieces and parts. Even various spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are partial and temporary. We don’t and can’t know everything. Impossible. If we prophesy, which means more to forth-tell the Word of God (rather than predicting the future), we do that partially and imperfectly.
A child only knows in part. They don’t see the big picture. They’re questions and curiosity revolve around their wants and needs. They don’t really see the reason why we can’t go to Disneyland right now. I mean why not? You got money, a car. Let’s get in it and go to Disneyland! Paul uses the analogy of growing up and changing from the thought processes of a child to that of an adult to describe life now compared to life later.
Life now is partial. It’s imperfect and incomplete. It’s a mirror which of course in Paul’s mind is a shiny, bronze plate--a poor reflection of reality.
Thank you for mentioning and praying for the Ophdals. Their life is partial and imperfect. Always will be. Might even say life sucks. How do you recover from that? How do you heal? Not sure that you ever do, except for in Paul’s words when “completeness comes” that is when those things that are in parts (quite literally in parts-broken glasses from dad and broken lives) disappear.
Your translation might say “when perfection comes.” That’s good too. The word is “the end.” But not just a finish line end. It’s when things have fully come to the end and are fulfilled and complete. It’s the word that Jesus uses in “It is finished.” Jesus wasn’t just dying. He was completing and fulfilling all that God had given him to do. His work was finished. It was complete.
Your
So we place our impartial, imperfect, and broken in the hands of the one who has finished his work before God and will finish his work in us.
“It is finished.”
So we place
In our life, nothing is lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect. And that’s just fine. God is forever, his work is finished, and his love and faithfulness are complete.