October 05, 2011 (reference point)

reference point
photo by Patrick Frey

“In space, astronauts experience the misery
of having no reference point,
no force that draws them to the center.
Where there is no "moral gravity" –
that is, no force that draws us to the center –
there is spiritual weightlessness.
We float on feelings that will carry us
where we were never meant to go;
we bubble with emotional experiences
that we often take for spiritual ones;
and we are puffed up with pride.
Instead of seriousness, there is foolishness.
Instead of gravity, flippancy.
Sentimentality takes the place of theology.
Our reference point will never serve
to keep our feet on solid rock.
Our reference point,
until we answer God's call,
is merely ourselves.
We cannot possibly tell which end is up.”
- Elizabeth Elliot