In light of recent events concerning the cessation of the Iraq War, I have read several Christian articles (and Facebook posts) once again comparing Christianity to a war. A battleground. They spoke of how we are soldiers, fighting the good fight (whatever that means), and boldly proclaiming glory and salvation in the name of the one true God...
...I just want to say, respectfully, that I totally disagree. I have a really difficult time comparing a faith that is supposed to be based on love, acceptance, and compassion to war. To killing people, whether the cause be just or unjust. Now, before anyone freaks out on me, let me say that I know the Bible talks about spiritual warfare, the armor of God, all of that stuff. And I know that in today's world of hypocritical pseudo-Christians and Joel Olsteens, being a true believer, a real light in the dark...is a daily fight, a constant struggle, dare I say...a battle. So, don't think that I'm discounting ANYTHING Biblical, or calling our faith easy, because it certainly is anything but. I just can't help but think that there has to be a better analogy, you know? Maybe this isn't as big of an issue as I'm making it out to be, who knows. I just think that we have enough conflict and hurt and war in the world. The Bible doesn't say "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to teach us how to make nuclear weapons so we can scare nonbelievers into submission." I'm exaggerating, obviously, but only to reiterate my point. Don't call this Faith, which is inarguably the truest love left on our planet, a war. Don't call it a battle. A struggle, yes. Maybe even a daily grind. But a daily grind towards even deeper love, not even deeper victory. Converts shouldn't be counted like casualties.
I'm starting to think that this is just one reason that Christianity has a bad reputation in modern society. Lots of nonbelievers view Christian beliefs as irrelevant and archaic, just an old book that we recite to make us feel more empowered. But I know, and YOU know, that that's not how it is. The problem is how to make others know, others who are just as deserving and just as important. And I don't think comparing them to the enemy in a battle is a good way to do it. Just a thought.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Looking Up
So, I'm a stinky sack of fail when it comes to blogging, as you may have noticed. It is not August, and I haven't blogged since April. Interestingly enough, it's not because there has been a lack of a bloggable events in my life...it's more because, as I previously stated, I'm a stinky sack of fail. Whatever that is.
Anyway, here's what I was thinking. My first (and God willing, last) semester at college was hellish. I mean really, really horrible. If I was the cursing type, I would definitely use a bunch of expletives right here to express my absolute distaste. But, I won't. College gave me esophagitis. Don't believe me? Ask the doctor who gave me my endoscopy YESTERDAY. But, whatever, that's not the point. I remember one night in Levelland, I was walking from the commercial music building back to my dorm, and I was looking down...I mean, perpetually looking down, like at the street. And maybe it was me, maybe it was God, maybe it was the dude who lived in the dorm next to me and liked to leave PILES of his soiled underwear in the bathroom, but something, someone...told me to look up. So I did. And I have never seen that many stars. It sounds like a pretty simple thing, looking up. But how often do you do it? I'm not suggesting that we should all walk around looking at the sky...that could be pretty risky. But, since then, I've tried pretty hard not to look at the ground when I'm walking. I try to keep my eyes focusing on faces and places. I'm not one of those hopelessly optimistic people, so I'm not telling you that looking up will improve your perspective on life, or make you happier, or get you some kind of natural high...but it's way better than looking at dirt a lot. Unless you're a soil scientist...in that case, please disregard this paragraph.
I've also successfully avoided college for at least another six months, which is exciting. Towards the end of September, I will be moving to New Orleans to do a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With a Mission). I never would have even considered this possibility before the mission trip I took to New Orleans in June, which totally made me not want to be in Texas even more. That trip also made me question the current state of my life. I'm a pretty decent dude...I've never broken the law or whatever, but I don't think I've been living it totally right, you know? When I got back, I realized how totally unimportant most of our lives can be if we remain stagnant. So, for me, remaining stagnant is going to college, or having a steady job. For other people, remaining stagnant could be not going to college and not having a steady job. It's different for everyone, obviously.
So anyway, that's what's up with me. Just trying to look up and walk at the same time, and trying to appreciate the perfectness (is that a word?) of imperfections. Like Joni Mitchell said...
"I don't care 'bout spots on my apples, leave me the birds and the bees."
Anyway, here's what I was thinking. My first (and God willing, last) semester at college was hellish. I mean really, really horrible. If I was the cursing type, I would definitely use a bunch of expletives right here to express my absolute distaste. But, I won't. College gave me esophagitis. Don't believe me? Ask the doctor who gave me my endoscopy YESTERDAY. But, whatever, that's not the point. I remember one night in Levelland, I was walking from the commercial music building back to my dorm, and I was looking down...I mean, perpetually looking down, like at the street. And maybe it was me, maybe it was God, maybe it was the dude who lived in the dorm next to me and liked to leave PILES of his soiled underwear in the bathroom, but something, someone...told me to look up. So I did. And I have never seen that many stars. It sounds like a pretty simple thing, looking up. But how often do you do it? I'm not suggesting that we should all walk around looking at the sky...that could be pretty risky. But, since then, I've tried pretty hard not to look at the ground when I'm walking. I try to keep my eyes focusing on faces and places. I'm not one of those hopelessly optimistic people, so I'm not telling you that looking up will improve your perspective on life, or make you happier, or get you some kind of natural high...but it's way better than looking at dirt a lot. Unless you're a soil scientist...in that case, please disregard this paragraph.
I've also successfully avoided college for at least another six months, which is exciting. Towards the end of September, I will be moving to New Orleans to do a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With a Mission). I never would have even considered this possibility before the mission trip I took to New Orleans in June, which totally made me not want to be in Texas even more. That trip also made me question the current state of my life. I'm a pretty decent dude...I've never broken the law or whatever, but I don't think I've been living it totally right, you know? When I got back, I realized how totally unimportant most of our lives can be if we remain stagnant. So, for me, remaining stagnant is going to college, or having a steady job. For other people, remaining stagnant could be not going to college and not having a steady job. It's different for everyone, obviously.
So anyway, that's what's up with me. Just trying to look up and walk at the same time, and trying to appreciate the perfectness (is that a word?) of imperfections. Like Joni Mitchell said...
"I don't care 'bout spots on my apples, leave me the birds and the bees."
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