Random Thoughts

I saw a commercial last night for a new show on Fox called (I think) The Finder.  It's about a guy who notices the connections between things, allowing him to find things that are lost and/or solve mysteries.  It's an interesting premise and one that illustrates an important truth.

I think that many folks today believe that much of what happens in the world is random.  In fact several years back we were encouraged to practice random acts of kindness.  The emphasis on randomness grows out of a world view that asserts that the universe happened by chance and everything since the beginning has just sort of happened- randomly or by chance.  We won't go into all of that right now, but suffice it to say that I find that very hard to believe.  As one of my Philosophy professors said (and he may have been quoting someone - I don't know): you could set a chimpanzee in front of a typewriter, and it would never type out Hamlet- or anything remotely resembling brilliance....

It's tempting to believe something to be random when we do not apprehend the cause.  If we could see the connections between events, we would better understand why certain things happen when and how they do.  Even a person who thinks he is practicing a random act of kindness likely chooses the recipient of his largess for reasons that are determined by events or individuals from his past.

On his new album Counting Stars, Andrew Peterson has a song entitled "Many Roads".  It's the perfect song to begin a concert with, assuring his listeners that many small decisions may have led them together so that they might hear a certain song or story.

One thing is clear: Christians understand that behind it all is the hand of a loving God who guides history and the lives of individuals toward a glorious end.  Even the events that appear to be random are full of meaning if we can but apprehend.  Perhaps in the new year, like The Finder, we'll become more adept at noticing connections.

I Will Feed Them With Justice

2011 has been a year of unrest.  People are not happy, and mainly it appears, that the unhappiness concerns the way things are being run.  For the last several weeks in the United States there have been "occupy" protests from Wall Street to university campuses and towns.  Around the world it's more obvious than ever that the guys in charge can't be trusted to rule wisely or justly.

It's nothing new that those in power want to hold onto power - and of course, wealth.  The 'system' is designed to keep the poor in poverty and the weak without power.  Justice is the exception rather than the rule. 

Although this is true, there is (I think) an innate sense in most people - even those who live in parts of the world where the rule of law is not practiced - that wrongs should be righted.  While many accept injustice as normative, there is a longing in human hearts for justice and righteousness.

Today is Christ the King Sunday, and the end of the liturgical year.  Christians end each year with a reminder that Christ is King because we live in a world filled with many things that are wrong and cry out for remedy.  Christians remind themselves today of two things:

1.  One day, Christ will return to set things aright.  Today's Old Testament Lectionary reading is from Ezekiel 34.  In that passage, the Lord says that he will feed people in good pastures, that He will seek out the lost and strayed, that He'll bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak.  He also promises to judge the "fat" sheep who took for themselves, leaving the weaker ones to only get weaker.

2.  The Gospel passage for today is from Matthew 25 and is the parable of the sheep and the goats.  Knowing that God will judge injustice, Christians should be engaged in working (like God) to feed the hungry, tend to the lonely and ill, clothe the naked, etc.  I'm not talking about the simple redistribution of wealth (a concept doomed to failure).  Instead Christians are called to give at every level - money, time, love, concern - to be fully invested as humans in the well-being of other humans.

As Thanksgivng approaches, we have much to be thankful for.  Chief among them is that fact that Christ is King.  He will one day return and "feed them with justice" (Ez 34:16).

On Being Human

I'm writing a paper on King David right now. It focuses on his humility. This summer I was reading a book entitled Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God's Guidance and Grace. At the same time the Lectionary, which I read devotionally was moving through 1 and 2 Samuel. It was (I suppose) natural that I would be reading about David's life with the rubric of humility superimposed...

I preached at a church a couple of weeks ago, and afterward one of the elders asked me who my favorite Bible character is. I promptly replied David (though my 'favorites' are subject to change). He was surprised. "David was a scoundrel. A womanizer." "Yes," I responded, "but he was humble." And that's the truth. David was always ready to submit to God's will and ways, even - or maybe especially after he'd sinned.

David did some very human things. He wasn't idealized in the biblical narrative. It's actually normal for the foibles of the biblical characters to be highlighted, since the Story is really about God... But when you think of kingship in the Old Testament only David is upheld as a successful example of "king." He's an integral part of the history of salvation.

David's humanity shouldn't make us uncomfortable. I don't know about you, but I fall into the 'human' category myself. My leadership at home, church, and work is effective, but flawed by my own sin and brokenness. Check out this quote from Eugene Peterson's commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel:

"...notice the way the story keeps us immersed in and attentive to hour human condition. For it is not easy to attend to ourselves; it is more attractive to try to rise above our human condition; it is easier to sink below our human condition and live like animals. But 'human' is unique, and we require a long growing up to realize who we are and the way we are before God. (p. 137)"

It's okay to be human. Don't worry if in the story of your life your 'starring' role is marred by lots of imperfections. You don't really have the starring role - not even in the story of your own life. "For we possess this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor.

The Power of Gratitude

Lately I've encountered several people who have been very focused on what's wrong. What's wrong in their lives. What's wrong with other people in their lives. What's wrong in their town, the USA, and the world. Lots and lots of talk about what's wrong.

I was playing tennis a couple of weeks ago at one of our city parks and mentioned that I would be playing the following day (Sunday) after church. A guy there said, "Oh, you need to go and atone for your sins, huh?" I responded, "No, I'm going in gratitude for all that God has blessed me with." He told me that God had done nothing for him.

Christians focus a lot on gratitude. Gratitude is meant to be the motivation for much of what we do. As grateful recipients of love, grace, forgiveness, and God's generosity, we should be generous givers of the same. The concept of tithing is rooted in gratitude. Does God need our money? Not, really. Does God need us to say, "Thank you?" No.

We're the ones who need to experience and express gratitude. Gratitude focuses us on the positive. If you want to be happy, it's critical that you have an attitude of gratitude. Why? I think because we get what we're looking for. If you feel that everything is wrong in your life, and you spend time thinking about all that is lacking, you'll be miserable. Things will go from bad to worse as you spiral down that rabbit hole.

It's amazing, however, how focusing on all that is right and good seems to increase your awareness of all that is right and good. Even when there is something wrong that can't be ignored, it's better to begin your prayers about it with a thankful heart - one that acknowledges anything good in the situation or person you're praying about or for.

Spend some time thanking God for the good stuff. There's lots of it there if you'll look.

"Yes" and "No"

Tomorrow I take my daughter to college. It's late, I know. She will attend a college on the quarter system, and classes do not begin until September 12. All during her senior year, I could see signs that it was time for her to transition to a new stage where she lives as a young adult on her own. She desires independence, and she's earned it.

Olivia is a responsible, intelligent, and independent young lady. She's worked since she was fourteen, played music in a variety of settings (including the very demanding marching band), all the while maintaining excellent grades. She's a great kid -- I mean young woman. Our relationship has been markedly similar to Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's. Very close and full of enjoyment.

Many times over the last several months I've used the pregnancy analogy when people asked me if I was ready to let her go. When a woman is first pregnant she suffers from fatigue and morning sickness. I can remember that stage very well. I didn't feel the greatest, but I couldn't imagine the trauma of actual labor and delivery. It scared me to death. Toward the middle of the pregnancy,you begin to feel good. Energy is back, and the baby is moving around which is pretty neat. I remember feeling that I was already getting to know my children during this stage. But then the third trimester comes... Back to tired -- and uncomfortable. By the due date (if not before) you just want the baby out! It doesn't matter how much it hurts or how scary it is. I remember people telling me to not be in a hurry for the baby to come. "Rest!", they said. "You'll need it later."

Once kids are born, the same cycle starts again, only this time taking years rather than months. In the first year or two, although you're not feeling sick, you are more tired than you ever imagined possible. Time passes slowly, and you think that this baby thing will go on forever. Now folks say, "They'll be grown before you know it." During the middle years, the Halcyon days, you get to feeling comfortable again. Your kids become more interesting and they want to do lots of fun stuff! Time begins to speed up just as you want it to slow down... Before you know it, the teen years arrive. You're back in what feels like the third trimester of pregnancy. Finally you reach the point where (even with a great kid) you saying to yourself, "It's time this kid was out!"

Well it's the night before I drive Olivia six hours away to school... Now out of one side of my mouth I'm saying, "It's time," while the other side is saying, "Wait! I'm not ready!" Of course, she's going. It is time. We both stand on the threshold of a new era, and whether we think we're ready or not, we will transition into a new way of living and relating to one another.

Big changes are often like this. We sense the time is right for something, but letting go of what we know and embracing the unknown is frightening. Without a doubt, however, it's better do move into the future. If my daughter stayed home and we tried to maintain the status quo, our relationship would move from happy and normal to pathologically unhealthy.

So, instead we'll choose to take a minute to mourn the passing of one stage and then run joyfully toward the future, trusting that the God who in His goodness put us together in the first place, has wonderful plans for the future. I hope if you're in transition, that you'll choose to look toward the fantastic things coming while being grateful for the good things that are passing away. It is the only way to live fully and freely.

Accepting Responsibility

I watched with interest as Anthony Weiner accepted responsibility for his inappropriate use of social media (Facebook and Twitter). Over a period of three years he had on line relationships of a sexual nature with six women.

Although it's unfortunate that Weiner decided to engage in these inappropriate relationships, he serves as a model of how to accept responsibility for his actions. He made it clear in his news conference that his actions were wrong and that he and he alone was responsible. He did not attempt to deflect blame onto the women or any one else who might serve to distract attention from his bad behavior. He made no excuses.

All of us are guilty of mistakes, poor judgement, etc. Christians call it sin. Weiner did not use that word for his actions. Some may criticize that, but I think he was right to say that he had made mistakes, used poor judgement, and done some deeply regrettable things. The word "sin" is laden with connotations that make some people immediately close their minds to whatever is said next (perhaps Jimmy Swaggart's teary confession coming to mind).

Weiner's demeanor was one of contrite seriousness. He understands that he let people down: his wife, friends, and constituents, and is not looking for sympathy. Perhaps that's why I find my heart going out to him. He was humble, accountable, and has had a change of mind about behaviors that he originally did not believe to be as hurtful as they really are (the Greek word for repentance is "metanoia"- a change of mind.

Hopefully you don't have something like this to own up to. But if you do, Weiner offers a great example of how to respond. Own up to what you've done. Blame no one else. Be honest. It may be tempting to deflect attention off of yourself, but in the end no one is fooled. Accountability and honesty is the road back to health and trust.

A Slippery Slope

I was reading the news this morning when I saw the headline "Global War on Drugs Has Failed." The Global Commission on Drug Policy states that the war on drugs has not and cannot be won. It recommends that governments should end the criminalization of drug use and experiment with legal models that would undermine organized crime syndicates. Drug users, after all only harm themselves, right?

This sort of reasoning is an alarming slippery slope. We also have not (and probably will not) win the war on human trafficking or pornography. Should we also give up on those battles and attempt to "regulate" how people are sold or exploited? People are still killing each other too. Should murder be legalized? How about robbery? One may argue the above points by saying, "Well, these are not victimless crimes. Drug use is...."

So, drug users only harm themselves? I'm wondering what percentage of crimes are committed under the influence of drugs. I don't know the answer, but everyone has heard of crime (often violent) committed by someone who was high. Drug use takes a toll on families (just as alcohol abuse does). The drug user harms himself, his family, and sometimes others. There is no such thing as a victimless crime.

The commission states that governments have spent too much time and money hunting down criminals and incarcerating them. Drug addicts are a financial drain on governments regardless. Treatment facilities cost money too. Not to mention that most drug addicts are not productive members of society.

How about the organized crime angle? If drugs are legalized, won't that hurt organized crime? Last time I checked, garbage collection is perfectly legal, but that hasn't stopped organized crime from being involved...

I usually try to stay away from anything remotely political, but when I read a news story like this it's hard not to comment. Hopefully we'll decide to hold the line against illegal drugs, human trafficking, pornography (which no matter how you feel about your right to view it, often involves the exploitation of someone), and everything else that harms people. Just because we haven't won - and perhaps will not win, doesn't mean that we shouldn't keep fighting.