Not everyone loves their job; in fact, some people may hate their job. I have usually loved my job throughout the years, but I admit a sense of wandering about work. I mean that my mind wanders. I often think about what it would be like to have a different job or even a different career. I suspect this is a common sentiment — even for those who love their job: to imagine the options. I recently found motivation though.
In his book, Knowing God, J. I. Packer makes the claim that the doctrine of adoption may be the richest definition of a Christian. He also suggests that being adopted by God is the highest privilege offered by the Gospel. These are lofty claims; perhaps a better understanding of what adoption really is will help us appreciate this great gift.
The island of Cyprus has climbed near the top of my list of places I want to go back to. It is not like other islands I have been to. It does have facets of tourism, but it also is very urban and yet has massive agriculture. The mountains look down on the farmland that descends to the Sea. Cyprus is simply a beautiful place — where else would the birthplace of Aphrodite be? Or perhaps we could even say that Cyprus is magical.
The concept of bowing down before someone is a common symbol of reverence and worship. It is customary to bow before a king or a queen or an emperor. It is expected that one would bow before the Pope. It is typical for parishioners to bow before their Orthodox priest. The Bible is full of images of bowing. Picture a time of worship or prayer, though, and we will notice something else. The last time you prayed, you likely bowed your head and closed your eyes. Imagine a snapshot of a church congregation in prayer and nary an eye would be open. I saw remnants of an ancient culture in Syria, though, that showed something different: the big-eyed worshipers.
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