P52: Downton is reality

From the vast marble halls, plush libraries, and elaborate dining room, to the plain, yet extremely practical kitchen and servants hall, many of us have found something intriguing about the lives and story of Downton Abbey.  For those faithful who have made it through five torrential seasons of drama, mystery, laughter, pain, death, life, love, and war, there is a common appreciation about the topic.  I am one of the so-called "faithful".  When I first heard about the British television period drama sen in the early twentieth century, I was interested in watching it too.  Over the next summer, my room-mates and I spent many an evening watching one or two seasons borrowed from the library.  We were soon lured into the majestic residence of Downton Abbey and the lives of it's occupants.  For us, we enjoyed watching a tastes of history unfold before us.

The story starts right after the sinking of the Titanic, moves through World War I, and presently in the roaring twenties.  The world changes so much, and viewers have a chance to see a family and their servants work through the changes and hardships as well.  It is a fascinating process.

For those unfamiliar with the story, I'll give a short synopsis.  The story involves a family in Yorkshire, England.  They are the land-owners of a very large estate of status, responsibility, and leadership in the community.  Not only this however, because their estate also provides jobs for many agricultural families as well as those who work service in the "big" house.  The family is composed of two parents and three daughters, a highly respected and witty grandmother, the male heir to the estate and his equally witty and opinionated mother, plus a vast array of suitors for the daughters, farmers, doctors, maids, butlers, footmen, kitchen maids, cooks, and chauffeurs.  

With this many characters, one can only imagine the drama that ensues in daily life (or one can imagine the same drama in their own).  Many times, this family is faced with the challenges associated with changing times and major events.  During the war, their lives were turned upside down.  Their beloved England put on a face of grim determination to withstand against oppressors.  Withstand they did, at the cost of thousands of lives.  Even the Abbey's small community changed.  Everyone wanted to be involved in the cause for freedom.  After the war, society struggled to find "normal" again, especially where the nobility were concerned. They were learning anew the task of the traditional status-quo of family, place, and responsibility, while the world was heaving and changing from the traumatic event.  When the world moves, the people move along too.  Each of the the characters are found constantly dealing with major choices and decisions, the struggle to work and live together, how meet conflict from the outside, and finding conflict within themselves.

Upstairs, the lords and ladies work so hard to preserve the tradition and grandeur bequeathed to them.  They laid in shadow to their true feelings, always having to put on the face of dignity and respect.  Throughout the story, the viewers see the family's struggle to maintain this posture, while struck with inner turmoil to be themselves.  Behind closed doors, they are different people, arguing about petty issues and striving against the changing society.

Downstairs, it is the same story.  There is tension between the servants and their own hierarchy system.  Those who know their place in the house are rewarded for doing a good job.  They work hard and are honored to be serving such a respected family, and fight to keep their position in the house, yet many search for something more than what they have.  They wish for a life out of service.  Conflict within the close-quarters of the Servant's Hall happens on a regular basis. 

At the end of the 5th season, I began to think through the story of Downton.  It intrigued me more than any other story or show that I've watched (and that doesn't say much, because I haven't watched many television series...).  As I rehearsed the drama in my head, I soon became frustrated with the reality of it all.

Downton is reality.  It gives a picture of the hopeless searching and unfulfilled life people find for their own lives apart from eternal life in God.  Perhaps this is the reason so many enjoy watching the show.  They are able to see themselves in the personalities and stories of the characters, as they struggle to make a difference and do something really worthwhile.  Instead of "being" anyone important, they just find themselves searching and looking for validation in what they see around them.  Downton shows on the screen what reality is for people who have no life in Christ.

Time demands perspective.  It moves on and on, to an end.  The Creator put the world into motion and order, setting a course till He reigns supreme on earth.  What does a person live for when they do not know or believe in a God?  There is no hope a part from God.  There is no reason to live if there is not a God in control, ruling and reigning over the universe.  Downton has no hope.  Over and over again, both the lords, ladies, and servants ask themselves if they are doing the right thing at the moment.  

Should they do this?  

Should they keep this secret?  

Are they making a difference? 

Is there something more?  

What happens when the world changes?  

The more and more they question like, the more we see the hopelessness of life.  

There is nothing to trust.  Some of the episodes reveal the characters attempts to trust the one's they love or their country for safety and security.  But people die.  War ravages lands.  Things change.  

One of the most beautiful characteristics of God shown in Scripture is unchangeableness.  

 "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. 

Has He said, and will He not do it?  Or has He spoken, 

and will He not fulfill it?" 

Numbers 23:19

 "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, 

O children of Jacob, are not consumed." 

Malachi 3:6 

When a person comes to understand (through the Bible) that God does not change, they can trust--ultimately God.  And they have hope in living each day and making a difference as they have opportunity.  They understand that though time is moving on, there is a Being who hasn't changed since He made the world, and will not change till eternity comes.  

Oh, Downton, you are a picture of the world.  There are thousands of Edith's, Mary's, Branson's, Lord Grantham's, Carson's, Bates', and Violet's in our world.  

We can see them.  

We can help them see truth, trust, hope, joy in God.  

P52: Spring Break Nebraska Style

Even though I'm not technically in school, I still got to have a "spring break"--not technically, because I'm a part-time graduate student who works full-time.  Anyway, my brother was planning to go home, and since I was also planning on making a trip back to "The Good Life" state, we combined them and road-tripped together!

The week at home was just as prescribed by my boss: fun and restful.  Well, mostly restful...haha!  If anyone knows my family, then you also know that we had something going on everyday, even if that was just needing to clean the house.  For late March in Nebraska, the weather was beautiful, boasting several 60s and 70s on different occasions.  There was even some green grass peeping it's head through the brown.  It won't last long however, if they get a good snow storm, which would also be perfectly normal for that area of the world.

We traveled down over the weekend, breaking up the trip in half by stopping at relatives along the way.  The drive was very uneventful--even though we took my unpredictable, yet surprisingly reliable car, Gabriella.  I only had to coax her up a few hills!  Driving across Nebraska is lovely; you see a lot more than corn-fields, and hear a lot of interesting things.  The first of much laughter came when I exclaimed to my brother to look at some sheep in a pasture!  I mean, they looked like sheep, at first glance.  He burst out that those white creatures were actually cows.  No, I haven't spent too much time in the city!  They were white cows.  I rarely see white cows.  I was also driving, and just had a moment to look at the animals (Yes, I'm trying to justify my claim; my brother didn't think it worked either!).  Anyway, it was good for a laugh, and a trip joke for the rest of the time!  A road-trip also provides lots of time for listening to music.  Somewhere in the middle of nowhere Nebraska, where all the radio stations a person can listen too are either talk-radio or country, we heard the most unique weather alert.  The DJ was reading the forecast for the next few days and was talking about the chance of rain.  However, instead of talking about a "chance for rain" or "drizzle" or "light rain", he said, "tomorrow will bring some sprinkles..."  Sprinkles??  What color?  This little slip-up made for quite the laugh--I was crying actually--and the story to tell the family when we arrived.

Time at home was wonderful.  We did some work to re-model and organize my dad's office, including moving/dusting/re-organizing all of his books to put on the new bookshelves.  It was a task, but his new library is quite stunning!  I also tried my hand a spray-painting.  No, I didn't add graffiti to a road-sign, instead the once-tan file cabinet is now covered and hidden in black.  I had lots of time to do some reading and writing, more like catching up on much needed "personal reflection/thinking" time, and most importantly extra unhindered time with the Lord through His word and prayer.  On a couple of afternoons, I headed out for a run along the highway that heads north of town.  After about a quarter of a mile, I've completely passed all the buildings and am jogging in the open country--very invigorating!  My little sisters had some basketball games over the weekend, so our family packed up and headed to cheer them on!  Oh, how, I've forgotten (and missed) the excitement of junior high basketball games.  The girls do a great job; no doubt learning all their skills from big-sister!  (Okay, not quite ALL) :)  My new nephew was another diversion from the mundane schedule.  We took a day trip to visit him and his parents; he's such a cutie and great addition to the Parker family!  One of the evenings before I left, my sisters and I decided to go to see the new "Cinderella" movie.  It was great "sister-time".  We talked and laughed and joked and teased all the way there and back (it was a 60 minute drive).  Since there is quite an age gap between us, this was probably the first time we've been able to spend time doing something we all enjoy and can comprehend.  Little sisters are the best.  And brothers are pretty cool too.  Without them, I would have been alone for the road-trip; I wouldn't have a nephew; my sisters and I wouldn't have gone out for ice-cream after the movie; and I wouldn't have had someone to tease about his "learners-permit" driving skills!

And now back to normal life--for two days!

Thank you, Lord, for family and a place to call home.  Thank you for friends and people who know know me, and have loved me since I was very little.  Thank you for small towns and the reminder of Your purpose and plan.

                     

                Grand"mom" and Grandpa with Silas

Look at that sweet face!  

we have matching facial expressions; just enjoying life! 

She's shooting a free throw.

She's playing defense.  

                          

                                          This basically sums up the trip--except that I was driving most of the time...

P52: a song

Oh Lord, let Your words be on my lips,

in my mind, 

and in my heart.

Like a distant melody, which awakens the soul;

more tender thoughts of You, Your Son, Your Spirit, Your Word.

Oh, that I may know You as You are!

Not shrouded through earthly eyes,

but with redeemed eyes behold Your majesty.

For my feeble eyes cannot begin to take in all the facets of who You are;

they must be made new to comprehend in perfection the glory of God.

That You chose to be stained for us; we cannot truly know nor grasp the sacrifice.

Ever learning, tracing the Lamb who was slain and raised so that we can have eternal life.

No work can we credit our Redeemer for what He has purchased; 

striving for our account, then seems to make His worthless.  

And His all the more 

glorious, 

beautiful, 

holy, 

gracious, 

merciful, 

loving, 

coming from the Father.  

P52: "holy" jealousy and humble pie

You know that feeling of jealousy and envy that comes over Christians when we hear someone's druggie-to-believer testimony or the daily tales of evangelizing or adventures of Bible translation in the jungles?  We hear the stories, then immediately start evaluating our own normal, 8:00 to 5:00 job and ministries at our churches.  Sometimes we start thinking--if only I could do something cool and exciting for God.  We sigh and start dreaming of what life would have been like outside of God's plan.  We justify our feelings of jealousy and envy, claiming they are "holy" because we are wanting something good.

Right?

Wrong!

Okay, maybe I'm the only one.  I'll admit that I struggle with these thoughts at times.  Especially right now, I am privileged to work in a Christian environment with great co-workers.  My job primarily consists of building relationships with other believers and encouraging them to pursue a Biblical education.  It is a very rewarding job and lots of fun at times!  It's a gift from the Lord.

But even these things, I can forget.  And start to complain and wish that I had more exciting stories to tell.

Humble Pie.

I started to pray about making connections with people, and having more opportunities to share the gospel.  The Lord answered; and for me, in a very unexpected way.  In fact, the opportunity came during a busy weekend event that my department was hosting for prospective students.  When one of them asked to talk with me about some questions she had, I assumed it had to do with my job.  It did, but not questions about education, questions about eternity.

She had so many questions.  I was caught off guard, but overjoyed.  I started to pray, asking the Lord for wisdom to know how to share the truth and encourage her battered heart.  We talked for several hours.  God knows her heart and He was working right there.  She is a new sister and new creation in Christ.

As I drove back home that night, I couldn't stop smiling.  God is so good.  He was continuing to show His faithfulness by using me to share the gospel.  Having to think through the wonderful truths of forgiveness, justification, and identity in Christ brought a whole new realization and perspective to what God has and is doing in my own heart.  There's nothing like proclaiming the gospel to others that helps remind your own heart!

My Lesson:

• The next time you're tempted with "holy" jealousy, don't fall for the trick!  Remember God's faithfulness in your life and how He has brought you to the place you are now.  Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with others, and don't be surprised by the unexpected.  Know the gospel; let it's truth be like an old friend to your heart and lips. 

Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe, 

Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.