Why would anyone read POETRY?!

Last year around this time, I put out a book called You Want Me to Read What?!It's a short book (coming in at a mere 81 pages, including exercises and glossary), meant to be an introduction to reading--and hopefully enjoying--poetry. The book peculated for years before I actually put it down in this "finished" form, but it is mainly comprised of lessons about poetry I have taught my classes over the years.

But, as most people know, poetry isn't exactly blowing off the shelves or into e-readers. It's not like people are dying for the next Billy Collins book to be released (well, there may be a few... if you even know who he is). In fact, many people don't even see a point or a place for poetry. A few years ago I came across an article in Newsweek entitled "Poetry Is Dead. Does Anybody Really Care?"by Bruce Wexler (Newsweek, May 5, 2003). He states the case--or at least most people's view of the case--well in his one page piece. The caption on the picture on the article is telling and perhaps sums up Wexler's (the world's?) perspective well: "I can't remember the last book of poetry that created a dying mosquito's worth of hum."

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So then, why should people read poetry? Why would I, a teacher, require my students to read and be able to discuss poetry with some sort of working vocabulary? Why would I spend time writing a book about how to read it?

These are good questions. I can tell you that I don't teach it simply because it's required, although it is. And, I can tell you that I didn't write a book about reading poetry to make money. (I assure you, I've possibly made back what I put into the project... little more.)

Here my succinct answer: I teach poetry because there is wisdom to be gained from it.

From poetry we as readers gain experience and wisdom, via the experience and words of the poets. No, they don't speak as loudly or to as wide an audience as they once did, but the poets do (and did) see and they do speak. As human beings, we'd do well to listen and try to glean what we can from their observations and expressions of those observations.

This concept of gaining wisdom from poetry is one of the primary things I want my students to understand when we wrap up our poetry unit. What follows is an excerpt from my book about the wisdom we gain from poetry. 

Wisdom? What wisdom could poetry possibly impart? Good question. After all, we don’t learn to add or subtract, fix an engine or repair a toilet, run a computer or change a baby diaper by studying poetry. What practical wisdom is there to be had, then? Well, probably the most important wisdom that poetry produces is that of experience. When we read poetry, we are shocked into being alive. Okay, that’s likely overstating the case, but somewhere in the words on the page we can find the realization of humanity and reality. Poetry is a portal into reality and experience beyond our own limited reality and experience. A poem can capture a glimpse of what is not quite expressible in our world. It can glimpse it and give it form. Therein we find problems and fears, hopes and expectations articulated. Therein our own experience is broadened, deepened, sharpened. 

But a poem doesn’t simply tell about experience; it is the experience and the vehicle into further experience. Through a poem we are allowed a little deeper into our own world—into our memories, our feelings, our hopes and longings; into friends, strangers, enemies; into questions, concerns, and quandaries; sometimes, into answers. A poem allows us to know about people and to see into their eyes, to see through their eyes. This comes back full circle, for when we see the world at angles and perspectives other than our own, we understand our own angle and perspective better. 

Yes, there is more to say about the topic (as always). For now, I encourage you to find a poem and seek to find the experience it offers, whether it is ideas or just sounds.

And, just for kicks and if you're so inclined, leave a comment about your experiences reading poetry.

Wisdom is of the mind AND the body

Back in May of 2010 I wrote a few posts about Matthew 11:19, which says, "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds." I explored the passage a little, confessed a little, and went to other passages to explain the concept further.

The verse keeps coming back to me, probably because like so many of the things Jesus said, it confuses me a bit. I'll think I'm getting a handle on it and then some other perspective or way of seeing it comes to mind.

For instance, last Friday I was thinking about how I instruct and discipline my children and the students in my classroom. I'm often hasty and overly critical. I fancy myself an encourager because I have been encouraging to some people around me before, but often I instruct by tearing down. I know that sometimes in construction--of buildings and people-- we must first tear down in order to build up.

This makes sense, if we keep the ends in mind, namely a better building or an improved child or student or friend. But I often don't have the ends in mind; I'm too hung up on the present and the mistakes or aggravating behavior of my kids or my students. I am not demonstrating wisdom in my words, my tone, my attitude, my action.

And here's what I've realized about wisdom being justified by her deeds: as far as I can tell (today) wisdom is as much about action as head knowledge.  

This is one of my typical NO DUH realizations, which seem to strike me with such force that I can't understand how I never saw the truth of it before. In this case, the verse even says as much: "Wisdom is justified by ALL HER DEEDS." Jesus says it because he is doing wisdom, as was his cousin John (see Matthew 11). 

Yes, this is an awkward way of saying it. How can someone do wisdom?

Like the epiphany itself, the answer to this question is simple: wisdom isn't just something someone has, though it is something someone has. True wisdom is something that can be exercised, acted upon, done. In the Star Wars movies, Yoda isn't just wise because he can sit on his little chair and pontificate, saying wise things. He can also act himself and instruct others in the ways of wisdom. He has great clarity in his head, which leads to great clarity in his personal actions and his instruction of others as he seeks to help them with their actions.

Wisdom is about how we act in our bodies as much as it is about what is in our minds.

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So then, as I train and instruct my children and my students, I need to keep this in mind. I have short-comings, yes. But wisdom learns from mistakes and then acts differently in the future. I'll seek to genuinely correct and instruct with the ends in mind, and not just criticize. I want to build up, not just tear down. As a parent and teacher, this should always be our goal. We want to live as people who have and exercise wisdom, so that we can raise up children and students who do the same.

Sweet words

In light of my recent book release, Eating Your Words, I thought I'd post this entry from 2010.

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

Is the word of God sweet to me? I wonder, especially when I see so much evidence to the contrary in my life. Socrates said (and I'm paraphrasing from a translation here) that if a man really had understanding and wisdom--really had it in his heart and soul-- he would be a good man.

Just having knowledge doesn't make a person good, obviously. And we all know that knowledge does not equate to understanding and wisdom. But I do tend to think that a wise person will live by the wisdom he or she possesses-- else he or she would not be wise. So there is at least some truth in what Socrates says, despite his ignorance of Christ in whom all the treasures of wisdom are found (Colossians 2:3).

Socrates aside, if we have Christ in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found, are we any wiser? I mean, practically speaking, are we--you and I-- living lives governed by the possession of, by being possessed by, the one who is wisdom? Is his word honey on our tongue?

I wonder sometimes if we see God's word as if it were the festering quail that the Israelites greedily ate up when God sent them this "meat" in response to their whining. Like them, we love the benefits and blessing... but sometimes we aren't so interested in the blesser. We certainly aren't interested in his commandments, testimonies, and precepts which lead to life and wisdom (see Psalm 119:97-104).

What are we eating? Honey or quail?

Truth takes time... or, hit me please.

Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to make the best decision, especially when life-changing issues are at stake... or a ton of money? 

I've been racked with worry over house-buying issues for the last few days, trying to figure out the best course of action for the family. Do we move? Why? How will this affect the budget?

Then there are those questions that we should have asked, but really didn't: Can we serve the kingdom better from another location? Is this move going to benefit ONLY us? How much? In what ways? (These questions link back to something I mentioned Tuesday: I'm starting to think along the lines of Christ, but my actions don't necessarily reflect it. I know I should be considering things beyond my family, for my family is to serve the kingdom of God... yet I get more concerned/wrapped up in/obsessed with my immediate, personal needs/wants/cravings.)

Anyway, regarding the house, we finally came to a resolution Tuesday afternoon. We'd buy the new house, continue to work to sell our current house, and let the financial issues work themselves out when they showed up.We would push. It. Through. It didn't seem like the best financial decision, but it could work out--we'd make sure of it. It would please my wife and I could live with the decision.

Then, while running errands last night, I came up with another option, one that I just couldn't see until then. It was like I was blind to it, blind in sight, intellect, and imagination.

I came home, told my wife about the idea... and... she agreed! She. Agreed. I was surprised. But, after all, it is the best decision for us, short and long term. Thankfully, neither of us needed to be hit in order to "get it." (A hit to the head might have helped me. Seriously.)

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I don't mean to just blather about my discovery and our house-hunting/purchasing/moving woes. But I do think that what we observe in this example is true to so many of us. It goes back to the old "forrest for the trees" analogy. Sometimes we just CAN'T see the best route or decision, even after seeking counsel (which we did). Counsel helps and should be sought, but sometimes we just need time, space, breathing room to see the truth, to see wisdom.

A friend of mine once told me that if you ever need to make a big decision, use all the time you are given. It's good advice, allowing for perspective to adjust, imagination to kick in, knowledge to percolate, counsel to simmer.

Do you find yourself in a place in which you need to make decisions? Take your time--all the time you're given. Seek counsel. Breathe. Pray (which I haven't mentioned yet). You don't really want to be hit on the side of the head or shaken by the shoulders in order to get sense and perspective into you. It usually doesn't work anyway.

Have you noticed it, though? Truth, sometimes, takes time.

One Sentence

"Yet wisdom is justified by all her children." ~ Luke 7:35

Coming and Becoming, part 4

Last week I began discussing how Advent is about the coming and becoming of God... and of man. I worked briefly through the Apostle Paul's perception of the situation, as well as Matthew's, Mary's and Elizabeth's.

Today, I'd like for us to look at Mary's response in her prayer, often called the Magnificat.

Mary begins her famous prayer by stating that her soul “magnifies the Lord” and her spirit “rejoices in God” her “Savior.” The baby in her womb—God’s son—is the material witness of all that the prophets, Gabriel, and Elizabeth have spoken. What else can she do, but magnify God and rejoice in Him? Like Matthew, she is overwhelmed with delight and exuberance over the reality of what is coming to pass. So, like Matthew, she states the conclusion or effect before the argument or cause. Only then does she begin her explanation or reason for why she is magnifying God. It must be noted here that Mary has tremendous humility. Though God has chosen her, she does not interpret what is happening as the lifting up of her, but rather the lifting up of God and His people. She is but a “lowly… maidservant” whom God has regarded, looked upon with favor (Luke 1:48). She knows full well that “all generations will call [her] blessed” because God has acted, not because she is of any consequence in and of herself. It is God who has done these great things. It is God who is mighty (v. 49), holy (v. 49), and merciful (v. 50)—so it is God who deserves magnification. Thus Mary magnifies God in spirit-deep jubilation and reverential fear (v. 50).

The latter half of Mary’s song explains the real cause for her jubilation: she delights in the work of God, not just for her but for her people, Israel. She is merely a part of a people, part of a larger plan and promise. This becomes clear as Mary states her insight into God’s workings by listing a series of things that God has done in history. She declares that the proud, the mighty, the rich are not exalted or increased. They are scattered, put down, and sent away empty, respectively. On the other hand, the lowly, the hungry, the servant are exalted, filled, and helped, respectively. These things that Mary notes are revolutionary in their scope and sequence. Traditional wisdom or logic states that the proud, the mighty and the rich are in God’s favor and are increasing. The lowly, the hungry, and the servant are apparently out of favor and are decreasing. But God’s work in history, as Mary aptly perceives, proves to be just the opposite of this traditional wisdom. This seems bizarre to the man observing life from a perspective of “worldly” wisdom. How can these things be so?  Why are these things so? The answer to these questions is that this is how God works because He remembers.  He remembers “his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (Luke 1:55). Mary’s song springs from a delight in the fact that God works for the good of his people—a humble people with nothing to offer or give. Her song springs from God’s delight in lifting up his people as He remembers promises he made thousands of years ago to a childless man whose name meant father of many. From the lowliest of states—barrenness—God elevated and multiplied. The people grew and flourished and later scattered, but they shall be brought near again because God remembers his mercy and the promise he swore to Abraham and to his seed forever.  For Mary, “forever” is right then and the seed… is in her womb (see Galatians 3:16).

Wisdom is justified by her deeds, part 4

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  ~Romans 16:27

God gives wisdom to the secret heart. He gives to those that ask. And, in his gracious kindness, he gives to many who don't. It makes sense that God would be the teacher and giver of wisdom, for he is "God only wise," as the King James Bible translates Romans 16:27 with somewhat odd syntax. The ESV translates it "to the only wise God." These two English translations have differing meanings: the first seems to mean that only God is wise; the second is more clear--there is only one wise God. From what I know of the Scriptures, both are true.

I'm still thinking on this idea of wisdom being justified by her deeds. Much of what God has done in history doesn't seem wise to many of us. In fact, it seems like folly, especially to the wise people of this world (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-25). The ultimate foolish act? God sent his son and then killed him, judged him for sins committed by the very beings he created. God killed his innocent son and somehow this delivers sinners from their sins. That is absurd! Right?

Sure it is. It doesn't make much sense. Now I know some of you are thinking, "Oh yes it does! And I can explain it with the Bible." Fine. Go ahead. But being able to explain theologically how all this can be so doesn't make it any less nonsensical or any less foolish. 

It is foolish. I can't grasp it with my "wisdom." And I'm good with that. God is good with that too: "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did now know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21). Paul goes on to say that the message is a stumbling block and folly, but he ends with the camper: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 

The message is foolish. But it is the wise power of God for salvation. And, once again, we see that wisdom is justified by her deeds.   

Wisdom is justified by her deeds, part 3

In David's psalm of confession (sung or perhaps prayed when he comitted adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah), he declares the truth of God's love for wisdom: "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart" (51:6).

So we know God loves wisdom. And we know that the wisdom he teaches is deep, it's some kind of core wisdom--wisdom in the secret heart... "in the hidden part," as the New American Standard translates it.

This is the kind of wisdom I long for. I long to be at a place in life and experience where I don't have the cliched short fuse, where I don't blurt out nonsense without thinking or understanding first. Sometimes I experience such moments of clarity, of insight. They are few, but they are like small, personal epiphanies. I've found those around me benefit much more from this calm, quiet, cool-headed wisdom than from my, ahem, erruptions.

Heh. My dad used to always tell my brother and me, "Think before you say something." I wonder how many kids have heard their fathers say that very thing. I'm a father now and I'm saying the same thing to my own kids... and still to myself.

But God gives greater grace and he teaches wisdom to the secret heart. God gives wisdom generously to those who ask (James 1:5). Think I'll ask more often. Maybe someday the wisdom he teaches my secret heart will be justified by my deeds.

Wisdom is justified by her deeds, part 2

I need to pick up were I left off yesterday. Wisdom is justified by her deeds, no doubt. I'd like to add to this that so is lack of wisdom. Rather, a lack of wisdom becomes pretty clear from the type of fruit she bears.

Yesterday, I blundered in a somewhat public manner. I was accused of "always doing something." I got pretty mad and then retaliated with a mirror claim, something along the lines of, "I don't always do that. You guys always ___." See the picture there? I did the same thing to this particular student as she was doing to me. I made a universal generalization.

But here's what I really did: I justified my lack of wisdom. In many ways that girl was right in what she said about me. I do make that same mistake often. Always? No. But often. What she and her peers do--what they are guilty of--doesn't really prove or disprove, justify or blame what I do. But I tried to disprove her, I tried to justify myself, I tried to blame her. And what did I accomplish? I proved my lack of wisdom. I justified the claim that I lack wisdom.

Here's what I should have said to her accusation: "You know what? You're right. I do that often. Can you believe God still loves me even though I can't seem to grow up. That people are still my friend in spite of my childish and unprofessional behavior sometimes?"

Thankfully, she came and apologized. I'm grateful because I got to admit my fault and say I'm sorry to her. And both of us were released from our tension when that happened, and then a therapeutic effect that most genuine apologies carry with them followed.

I will say this: apologizing for my errors is one bit of wisdom I'm getting pretty good at living by every day.