Purpose

In life, everyone is looking for a purpose. There is something deep within the human psyche that searches for something "bigger than oneself." This search is really a search for the ultimate Truth and the call that God has placed on our lives - it causes us to be drawn to Him and to worship Him. For many however, this search has become confused and misdirected.

I watched the movie "Grizzly Man" today. For those of you who don't know (but should!), Timothy Treadwell was a man who spent much of his life trying to protect grizzly bears in Alaska. He ended up dying at the hand (paw?) of one of these grizzlies. I was struck by how much of himself he poured into protecting these bears. He had committed himself to a cause. However misguided this commitment was, he had found something he was willing to die for.

It worries me that there are not more people in America that have found something they are willing to be so dedicated to. There is a need in this country for people to look beyond themselves. Indifference and complacency are a serious disease within American culture. As a Christian, one of my biggest fears is that the church will lower its standards to appeal to the culture. I am genuinely concerned that in order to reach people, the church will step down to their level instead of drawing them up towards God.

Though I disagree with his ideals and philosophy of life, I respect Timothy because he was willing to make sacrifices and set aside the "norm" as part of his search for something bigger than himself. I would rather befriend someone like Timothy and disagree with him, than make a friend of someone who doesn't stand for anything. Passion for a purpose can be refined and brought into alignment with God's purposes in life. Complacency cannot as easily be affected. I hope that the church can stand up to this call and rally together to pull this country in the right direction. Without our efforts, I fear that this nation will quickly and willingly end up lost on the sea of indifference with no intention of being rescued, satisfied to succomb to "whatever fate may bring." Is there still hope for America? I don't know. What I do know is this: that Christ called all men to a higher standard and a greater purpose than what we see on a daily basis in this country. Will you challenge those around you to step up and accept that call?

Simplicity

I was thinking about simplicity as I was trying to listen to a cd on an old cd player the other day. The cd player was not really working properly. As I was trying to fix it, the thought struck me that had I been using a record player, it would be easy to diagnose and correct the problem since it has so few moving parts. I can fix a record player. I cannot fix a cd player. So which is better? Sure, the cd player may have better sound and be more portable. But what cd player is going to last 40 years like my parents' record player? What cd player is simple enough to fix without a degree in electrical engineering? Coincidentally, I was thinking about this while raking leaves my parents' yard. A rake is about as simple as it gets. Sure there are "more technological" ways to get leaves off a lawn, but rakes have been around for hundreds of years. If a rake breaks, I can fix it in 10 minutes with stuff around the house/yard. If a mulching lawn mower breaks, I am going to spend the rest of that day figuring out whats wrong and trying to get it fixed.

Ironically, the word "technology" has one of the vaguest definitions in the dictionary. Nobody can quite figure out what it is or how to define it. So why do we always think that technology is a great solution to our problems? Rarely does technology (in the modern sense of the word) simplify anything.

In my life, I want to pursue simplicity. Please note that I do not necessarily equate simplicity with ease. I recognize that by pursuing simplicity there may be areas of my life that are not always easy. Yet I recognize that by simplifying my life, I will have more attention to give to people and to God. Simplicity opens a door to deeper things. Simple relationships with people are formed through honesty and integrity, and that allows people to connect in a more personal and intimate way. Simple living means spending less money on things (which tend to accumulate anyway), showing generosity, and budgeting time to focus on others. In the midst of life's complexity, there is a simple truth that will never change and can never be complicated: God loves us, and we love Him because He first loved us. Every other thing in life falls under this truth and either works to preserve the simplicity of this statement or complicate it.

I choose to pursue simplicity and let my love for God grow.

Restless

I was driving through the countryside today and I began to feel restless. It may have been the beautiful fall colors all over the trees as summer escapes and winter approaches. It might have also been the fresh air rushing across my face through the open window which I have missed for the past several weeks. It could have been the muted trumpet solo over the melancholy jazz song coming through the radio. It might have been the combination of all three things.

Whatever it was, it got me thinking about making changes in my life. Not just things like getting a haircut or rearranging furniture - I mean big changes. Like moving to a different school or buying a house. That is not to say that I am unhappy with my life - I am content in every way. I love my job and feel like Letchworth is a perfect fit for me. I am very comfortable in my apartment and enjoy its proximity to my friends, my church, and the rest of my life. Despite satisfaction with the state of my life, I still experienced a growing sense of restlessness.

Where did this restlessness come from? It seems to me that changing seasons are a subtle, yet beautiful reminder that we were not made to remain stationary in life. We are forced to adapt, not just to minor circumstances and situations, but to big changes in life. We can expect and look forward to these changes knowing that God will do his handiwork to make the change beautiful. In the midst of the change it is not always easy to see the beauty. The weather has been getting colder and the days shorter. In all honesty, I did not realize so many of the leaves were changing until today. It really hit me just how much things have changed recently and how beautiful it is.

In the same way, we can expect spiritual changes to come as well. It is interesting that Scripture often refers to different phases of life as "seasons." They may sneak up on us and catch us off guard. They may come suddenly and blatantly into our lives announcing their arrival. In either case, spiritual seasons are inevitable and in their own way and time, beautiful.

As for me and my restlessness, I realize that this sensation will pass. The restlessness is not something to avoid. Neither is the complacency that will follow. In all seasons I will put my hope in Christ, acknowledging my need for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will find joy in the seasonal changes of life and nature. Will you?

PS, thanks to Kathy Mauer for letting me use the picture she took!

Defend Your Honor

For those of you who don't know, I tend to draw a lot of spiritual analogies, ideas, and lessons from everyday things that I encounter. This can be stuff I see on TV or in movies, things I hear in a song, something I see on the side of the road, something I read somewhere, etc. It is quite eclectic, but that's who I am.

I am currently reading Alexander Dumas' The Three Musketeers (for the second time). As I was reading it, I was struck by how quickly D'Artagnan jumps to defend his honor. His hotheadedness gets him into duels (that are supposed to end in death) over silly things. He risks his life and his dream of becoming a musketeer to protect something he perceives as his right in life. His emotional insecurity interferes with him achieving his life-long dream. He is so worried about protecting the little honor that he has that he makes a choice that risks gaining the even greater honor of becoming a musketeer. My question is, how often do I do the very same thing, over-extend myself to protect something that doesn't really matter? How often do I allow myself to lose sight of the greater purposes on my life by trying to protect the miniscule pieces of my purpose and destiny that I've already achieved. If I truly believe that God has ordained the steps of my life, I will not allow myself to get in my way. The only way that I can do this is to keep my eyes on Him, the Author and Perfector of my faith, the Writer of my destiny and the Creator of my purpose. God grant me the peace and hope to walk in your ways.

Beginning thoughts...

First of all, like everyone else who starts a blog, I will justify my reasons for starting this blog.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I was talking to my friend Ben who said that it always seemed like I had a story or something I was waiting to share when we hung out. He commented that it seemed like a blog would be a good outlet for me. Its true. I have a lot of things going on in my head that I want to get out. I do realize that not everyone cares or is interested in my thoughts and have tried to be respectful of that.

This blog should allow me to keep track of my thoughts and share them with those who care enough to peruse them. I am not sure exactly what route this will end up taking, but it is here.

Coincidentally, I have recently noticed that living the digital life is incredibly compartmentalized. People do their own thing and revolve through their own minute worlds. Even though there are so many powerful ways to connect with people via the internet and other digital communications media, people seem as lonely as ever (or possibly even more so). The choose-your-own (on-demand) entertainment drive has caused people to have lost touch with true diversity - dealing with things that happen to come into your life. People will only encounter what they want to. I have recently felt challenged to expand my horizons and pursue people because people are unique and they are beautiful for it. I am beginning to see beauty even in those people I don't get along with because I see God's hand in their uniqueness. I want to enjoy God's creativity and stop limiting myself.

Anyway, here's to living the digital life with purpose.