Paul says something similar in Philippians 4 when he speaks with joy of finding the "secret of contentment." I checked that word "contentment" out in the Greek. It is the word, auto-archais. I hyphenated that to emphasize a point. The first part of the word is what we get our own prefix, "auto" from. We see it in automatic andautomated. It means that something runs on its own. It also means "self." Then the end of the Greek word means "sufficient." Put them together and the word for contentment is "self-sufficient." Oh my, this looks like heresy doesn't it? How DARE a Christian consider living in a self-sufficient manner, like an ISLAND?! Paul goes on to say, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Think of that: Christ wants to STRENGTHEN YOU NOT REPLACE YOU!!!

Does that do anything for you? No? Well, let me go on. Many of us have picked up the idea that our best image is that of a channel. We even have a song, "Channels Only for the Master." That smacks of eastern mysticism, not Christianity! Hinduism is the way it is because it is monistic. The god of Hinduism cannot stand diversity. Meditate until your mind gives out! Merge and lose your personhood.....ugh! Thankfully our Christian triune God lives as the great Three in One, diversity within unity. He has no problem with your being strong, brilliant, beautiful, creative, or resourceful. He CREATED you and loves YOU! But there is a pathetic so-called theology out there that calls people to a self-destructive attitudes under the guise of sanctification. This depreciation of Christian person-hood results in terrible problems. Because we have no island, we put up levees all around us. We even wear masks to create impressions. We erect legalistic walls that diminish us further rather than finding the Imago Dei (the image of God) that was restored when we were born-again.

I have read a book, "Boundaries." The author makes great points. The only problem I have with that idea is it reminds me of putting up levees. It's all about the water! What we need is an island that is built up. The Apostle Paul says, in Romans 12:2 "Be not conformed but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the good and perfect will of God is." What a text!!! Conformity would mean that I live my life reacting all the time to the pressure from outside. The Greek in Romans 12:2 for "conformity" means literally that which is formed from the outside. In contrast the text calls us to being transformed. The word there is metamorphistha. I love that. It means changed from the inside.

Going back to the simple metaphor of an island, the stronger the island is, the less it has to worry about the water on its shores. Oh beloved friend; isn't it wonderful to know that our Lord came to give us LIFE and that ABUNDANTLY?!!!

Just a little add-on. Respecting your spouse is like helping build their island. If you find yourself going under for the third time, under water, take a moment out. Begin respecting that spouse. Believe it or not, part of the reason for their stupid activity is because they are beneath the water. Like that crazy town, New Orleans, and look what happened to it.

Personally, I believe Spiritual Formation is the finest way to build up one's island. You see, God our Father has no problem with our being built up. He does not have the issues of people around us. He loves to help build us up by His GRACE. Talking to Him regularly will put you and I in the atmosphere of One Who really enjoys our presence and our person-hood. Or you can live underwater with levees, masks, and legalism. Make your choice. Jesus came to make us free not to enslave us!!!