Realize the Lord is causing something to happen

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Faith, Writing and Reading | 5 comments |

It’s not difficult to realize—to become fully aware of the fact—that the Lord is causing something desired or anticipated to happen. Last week’s manifestations have spread to cranberry viburnum, fleabane, and phlox. Seeing trees and flowers realize their true selves got me thinking about the big “realize” ah-ha in my life, and a post I wrote a little over a year ago

Here’s a “realize” revisit.

You can’t realize orthodoxy without orthopraxy.

In the March 2022 issue of Christianity TodayTish Harrison Warren wrote, “… orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right action) are so essentially entwined that if we neglect one, we lose the other.” Love God, love others. Orthodoxy with orthopraxy. Belief and action. To realize: become aware and cause something desired to happen.

The problem is that without realized orthodoxy, “right action” orthopraxy is often tainted with selfishness.

You can’t realize orthopraxy without orthodoxy.

For me, the orthodoxy “realize” happened when I looked in the mirror after my first marriage failed and discovered I counted on those who followed the Law to set the standard of good behavior. The Law tells us what to do and what not to do, allows us see our transgressions and repent, and helps us to walk in the light. But without God, there is no morality, just personal preference. My rules and little admission of shortcomings.

As an atheist, I did not love God at all. Though I tried to do good, I didn’t realize that I was often a fraud, loving others on my terms. If I wanted to realize righteous orthopraxy—right action in myself and model for others—I decided I’d better stop freeloading and realize orthodoxy first. And so, thirty years ago, I started down that lighted path. My actions might not have been less selfish, but I was certainly more aware of the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness, giving me the opportunity to course correct.

You can’t realize orthopraxy without orthopathy.

realize

While reading Tish Harrison Warren’s article, I discovered a third quality to realize: orthopathy. According to Warren, orthopathy “… names the reality that we as Christians not only profess the truth of Jesus and practice the things he says to practice, but we also endeavor to do all this in the posture of Christ.” Realized orthopathy goes to the heart of walking in the light. But having a redeemed and transformed life “… comes through years of repentance and deep union and communion with God,” according to Warren.  

Another “realize” ah-ha: It’s not Him realizing you—He’s always fully aware—but you realizing Him. When we realize our real selves in Him, orthopraxy blooms like the dogwood.

Linkup with Five Minute Friday: https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/04/13/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-realize/

5 Comments

  1. aschmeisser

    Orthodoxy, orthopraxy,
    more learnin’ sure is what I needs,
    and then let’s throw in orthopathy
    (but Ortho’s used for killin’ weeds!).
    I was just a good ol’Buddhist boy,
    lookin’ for a bright Nirvana,
    and then the Lord God did employ
    Christ as His holy piranha
    to chomp me right down to the bone,
    to realize that there was more,
    and I did not need to atone
    ’cause Cross-key opened the locked door
    so one day I can put my feets
    right there on them Golden Streets.

    There really are cruciform-keyed locks.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Wonderful!

      Reply
  2. K.L. Hale

    I can relate to this post so much, C.D. Thank you for sharing! I think of the “goodness” God expected when he created us. I flubbered (I made up that word). My way? The world’s? God’s? The Spirit hit hard, lifted me from death and despair, and put me alone so I could only be sustained through HIM! Blessings!

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      God bless you, Karla. We never know where the seeds God gives us will fall. Keep writing! -Carole

      Reply
      • K.L. Hale

        Thank you, Carole! Indeed! I called it, falling flat on my faith! Blessings to you! I’ll take your wisdom and keep writing. ❣️

        Reply

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