Blessed is the person who does not...
Psalm 1
We might expect the writer to jump in to what blessed looks like - what is the stuff, the result? We might expect him to begin what a how to; E.g. "Five Simple Steps to Twist the Divine Arm of Blessing."
This is not how the Psalmist begins. Oddly, he begins with the blessing of NOT doing. Strange. Frankly, if this were coming from the mouth of a modern day preacher I might tune out.
I grew up with a don't dance (aka Footloose) version of religion. Oddly, this was for the most part self-imposed. It seemed my spirituality was tilted toward what NOT to do. I don't mean to overstate, but there was an odd pride produced from lead feet that didn't move to the beat, and lips over which no wine or beer had passed.
I later found that joy is not in not doing. (You might have to untangle that sentence.) I finally began to understand the freedom and responsibility of the Apostle Paul's response to the statement: "All things are permissible." "Yes," he said, "But all things are not beneficial... not everything builds others and ourselves up." (1 Cor 10:23, rough translation). Joy is found in doing what is right and good and edifying to others and ourselves.
So back to it; "Blessed is the person who does not..." Are we about to launch into a list of Do's and Don'ts? Far from it.
Two distinctly different landscapes are about to emerge from the canvas. In my mind's eye I see one akin to the dried up, dusty and dying fields depicted in the movie Interstellar. (Can you picture it? If not, think Dust Bowl.) The other painting is of green meadows and streams of clear cool water; vibrant hues from the canvas bringing a sense of warmth.
Diverging paths will be laid out. One leading to life; the other, death. Above all, the Psalmist will make a point that has stuck with me since first pondering the first Psalm.
No one begins at the end of the path.
Each is a path of progression.
And we'll progress to that in the next post.
God, I see trees of green, red roses too... Help me walk that path.
For now,
D
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