Hello. My name is Daniel Hawkins, and I doodle in church. I’m not ashamed to say it. In fact, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I’ll even go as far as to defend it.
Doodling is how I process and crystallize what people say, particularly in the context of lectures and sermons. It may seem like I’m tuning out, entertaining meaningless trivialities on a pad of paper, but nothing could be further from the truth. Doodling, like writing words or phrases, actually makes me more receptive to what people are saying. What’s more, it ends up becoming both a visual record and a set of mnemonic devices for recalling what was said. Besides, it’s also fun!
Here’s an example of some doodling / note-taking I did in this morning’s sermon:
We were talking about Matthew 21:18-22, the part when Jesus rebukes the fig tree for failing to bear any fruit. Failing to see the meaning behind the action, the disciples subsequently ask Jesus HOW he did this and whether they can do the same. Jesus tells them in response that they can move mountains if they just have faith. So, if we have enough faith that God will cause a mountain to be hurled into the sea, does that mean it will happen? I don’t think it’s a matter of the measure of our faith. After all, Jesus did say all we needed was a seed’s worth (Matt. 17:20).
The real question is whether we desire what God desires. John 15:4-11 basically tells us that anyone who doesn’t listen to and obey God’s commands will end up like the fig tree in Matthew 21:19. On the other hand, those whose hearts are set on doing God’s will can ask for anything, and it will be done for them. Of course, such people would only ask for things in line with God’s will, anyway. God works according to his will, not ours.
No wonder we get upset when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want Him to. Most of us (myself included) desire something different.
Wow. That was quite a rabbit trail. I don’t know quite how to create a smooth segue from here, so I’ll just switch gears abruptly:
It snowed today! I decided to go for a run after church, and my timing couldn’t have been better. The snow began to pick up considerably once I started. By the time I arrived at Washington Park, there was about a quarter of an inch accumulated on the roads. The park was blanketed in a layer of white – quite a beautiful sight!
Even though it was super cold, flakes flying relentlessly at my face, all I could think was that this is what running is all about! Here’s to hoping there’s more to come!
That’s about all the writing I can muster up for tonight. Besides, it’s already 1:00 AM. Why am I still up?
God bless!
-Daniel
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