brainerd reflection 1 - preface:profile.

sorry i haven't posted in a while (although i doubt there are very many people who actually read this or miss it [hi mom]), i've been trying to think of profound things to say on here but i'm not really coming up with much.

God has been pouring into my life a lot lately and i haven't been doing much other than taking it in and being grateful. it's hard to explain in much detail the things i've been learning or understanding because i haven't finished learning or understanding them yet. anyways, i'll get to that stuff later.

i figured the best thing to do would be to write down some thoughts on a book i've been reading. these posts are purely selfish and just help me to organize and understand. if you think it's interesting or insightful you should get and read the book because it's awesome.

one of the most difficult things for me in reading is that i often read too much at a time and don't give my brain enough time to process it. hopefully these posts will help me with that. lately i've been reading the the life and diary of David Brainerd edited by Jonathan Edwards. both of these men are heroes of mine in discipline, insight, passion, and writing. i've gotten through the first section of the diary but today i just want to reflect on the preface which is the section written by Edwards.

David Brainerd (1718-1747) was a puritan missionary to the native americans. his diary expresses some fantastic insights into his spiritual journey and his understanding of true religion and relationship with God. it is fascinating and deeply inspiring to me.

Edwards begins by saying "there are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world; the one, by doctrine and precept; the other, by instance and example." he goes on to explain that both of these are used extensively in Scripture. within Scripture the grounds, nature, design, and importance of religion are clearly visible in the docrines, but we also have many outstanding examples of religion (both "power and practice") in the old and new testaments. in David Brainerd we are given yet another demonstration of this second principle.

there are two issues that become clearly evident as flaws in the person of David Brainerd. oh how i wish i could relate to these instead of their opposite extremes! first, he was "by his constitution, and natural temper, so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit." he was, as is evident in the pages that follow, a very depressed person. most often his depression was based on his disgust with his own wickedness and lack of passion for holiness. second, "was his being excessive in his labors, not taking due care in proportion to his fatigues to his strength." he worked himself beyond what his body was capable of. he was constantly falling ill due to fatigue and this was certainly one of the primary reasons for his death at the age of 29!

immediately hearing these things i am inspired. were someone to list the faults that i have they could probably fill this entire book just on naming them. the descriptions could fill an encyclopedia. we could name it "human nature britannica" and have 26 volumes, one for each letter of the alphabet. but all that Edwards could find to list for David Brainerd is that he was so zealous for purity and holiness that he was utterly depressed at his own wickedness and this drove him ill. also that he was so passionate for the name of Christ to be made known he worked far beyond what his body could handle. amazing.

well, i am tired and it's dinnertime. hopefully you are blessed. i will proceed with these posts later. be blessed.

marks.