LUST
Lust.......Sex and Sewing Machines
I suppose when I think about the word ‘lust’, I associate it
with the more salacious aspects of sexual behaviour which we read about in the
tabloids. Not so for Mrs Elmo. For some time now she has been lusting after a
‘Bernina’; an all singing, all dancing, ‘super duper’ hi-tec sewing machine.
Apparently the top of the range model is a ‘snip’ at around four thousand pounds !!!
According to Wikipaedia lust is defined as “an intense desire or
craving. It can take many forms such as the lust for knowledge, sex, power and
money. Lust is a powerful feeling producing intense wanting for an object, or
circumstance.”
In a recent article in the Chicago tribune, the writer Gina
Barreca argues that lust has been a ‘primary player’ in the arts and culture
throughout history. Lust features in opera......see Carmen, and in the
literature of the middle ages. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales featured characters
such as the Wife of Bath who was far from straight laced. It’s there also in the
works of great Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Botticelli.
Lust for money and power have become key drivers of human activity in the twenty
first century. The Winer Foundation, an American philanthropic organisation
makes a telling observation about contemporary life on its website:
“Lust is akin to impulse--the inside pull that says, ‘I want it and I want it now.’ Lust is an
automatic response to an internal tension that's created by what you've seen,
heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. Lust draws you away from combining with people
because of its demand to be immediately satisfied. It takes time to work
amicably with others but lust can't wait. If it's not dealt with promptly, then
spiritual decay is always the result.”
In the Bible the Old Testament relates a classic tale of lust,
sex, power and betrayal in the tragedy of King David of Israel and the beautiful
Bathsheba. In the Bible, David is described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’,
yet he was fatally distracted when he saw Bathsheba bathing, committed adultery
with her, then had her husband killed to cover up the sin. David’s actions had
grave consequences. Bathsheba’s child died, and three of his sons died violent
deaths.
Sadly the culture of, ‘I want it and I want it now’ is very much
part and parcel of life in the twenty first century. Fortunately, the Bible
offers some really effective action. The Apostle Paul in his second letter to
the Christians in the city of Corinth instructed the people to ‘take
captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’.
Excellent advice which anyone can put into action when tempted
and feeling under pressure.
.............and talking about pressure!!!!!!!!! How do I, a canny Scot from
the frugal north-east compete with a voluptuously attractive Swiss model
complete with stitch regulator ? All suggestions are welcome.
Elmo
I suppose when I think about the word ‘lust’, I associate it
with the more salacious aspects of sexual behaviour which we read about in the
tabloids. Not so for Mrs Elmo. For some time now she has been lusting after a
‘Bernina’; an all singing, all dancing, ‘super duper’ hi-tec sewing machine.
Apparently the top of the range model is a ‘snip’ at around four thousand pounds !!!
According to Wikipaedia lust is defined as “an intense desire or
craving. It can take many forms such as the lust for knowledge, sex, power and
money. Lust is a powerful feeling producing intense wanting for an object, or
circumstance.”
In a recent article in the Chicago tribune, the writer Gina
Barreca argues that lust has been a ‘primary player’ in the arts and culture
throughout history. Lust features in opera......see Carmen, and in the
literature of the middle ages. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales featured characters
such as the Wife of Bath who was far from straight laced. It’s there also in the
works of great Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Botticelli.
Lust for money and power have become key drivers of human activity in the twenty
first century. The Winer Foundation, an American philanthropic organisation
makes a telling observation about contemporary life on its website:
“Lust is akin to impulse--the inside pull that says, ‘I want it and I want it now.’ Lust is an
automatic response to an internal tension that's created by what you've seen,
heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. Lust draws you away from combining with people
because of its demand to be immediately satisfied. It takes time to work
amicably with others but lust can't wait. If it's not dealt with promptly, then
spiritual decay is always the result.”
In the Bible the Old Testament relates a classic tale of lust,
sex, power and betrayal in the tragedy of King David of Israel and the beautiful
Bathsheba. In the Bible, David is described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’,
yet he was fatally distracted when he saw Bathsheba bathing, committed adultery
with her, then had her husband killed to cover up the sin. David’s actions had
grave consequences. Bathsheba’s child died, and three of his sons died violent
deaths.
Sadly the culture of, ‘I want it and I want it now’ is very much
part and parcel of life in the twenty first century. Fortunately, the Bible
offers some really effective action. The Apostle Paul in his second letter to
the Christians in the city of Corinth instructed the people to ‘take
captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’.
Excellent advice which anyone can put into action when tempted
and feeling under pressure.
.............and talking about pressure!!!!!!!!! How do I, a canny Scot from
the frugal north-east compete with a voluptuously attractive Swiss model
complete with stitch regulator ? All suggestions are welcome.
Elmo
