January 22, 2007
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Flexible Rigidity
But the splendour of furrowed fields is this: that like all brave things they are made straight, and therefore they bend. In everything that bows gracefully there must be an effort at stiffness. Bows are beautiful when they bend only because they try to remain rigid; and sword-blades can curl like silver ribbons only because they are certain to spring straight again. But the same is true of every tough curve of the tree trunk, of every strong-backed bend of the bough; there is hardly any such thing in Nature as a mere droop of weakness. Rigidity yielding a little, like justice swayed by mercy, is the whole beauty of the earth. The cosmos is a diagram just bent beautifully out of shape. Everything tries to be straight; and everything unfortunately fails.
The foil may curve in the lunge; but there is nothing beautiful about begnning the battle with a crooked foil. So the strict aim, the strong doctrine, may give a little in the actual fight with facts; but that is no reason for beginning with a weak doctrine or a twisted aim. … Do not try to bend, any more than trees try to bend. Try to grow straight, and life will bend you. ~ G.K. Chesterton from Alarms and Discursions
Agree or disagree?
Comments (4)
My! You’re up early
Basically? I agree…… and your excerpt made me think of *our bruised reed*
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 ”Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
Dana in GA
PS
PS
The *PS* is a true confession……I am not known for my *flexibility* , so it’s been a constant lesson to learn to wait (up)on the Lord
I could easily agree and/or disagree. I immediately thought of a violin (or cello!) bow, that must be tightened each time it is used, by the player. It should never be completely taut, or it will not give the correct sound when used. However, the combination of the flexible catgut of the bow touching the instrument’s strings (which definitely MUST be tight) is what produces the beautiful tones we enjoy.
I know I started out life as a “straight arrow,” but God has definitely bent me continuously. My faith is filled with absolute truths; how these play out in life’s situations is anything but black and white. I think I’ve been “bent” by other people far more than most, and for the most part, I try to see that in a positive light, that God has continually made me more and more flexible and empathetic through and because of it. I’m just glad that HE doesn’t “bend”!!!
I’ve started to write three different things already, but I think I’m going to think some more. I’ve appreciated the question.