Archive for Random Musings
Valuing Perseverance
Posted by: | CommentsI enjoy the Olympics. Though I am not sure I would watch any of the Olympic sports at any other time, I thoroughly enjoy them every four years.
One of the things that comes with every Olympics is personal stories of perseverance. It is inevitable and, it seems, constant, during the Olympic broadcasts. Every athlete has a story. And many of the athletes have a particular setback that they were able to overcome or endure in order to make it to the Olympics. An injury, a death in the family, failure four years ago, etc.
While watching one of these stories the other day, it hit me…I thoroughly enjoy these stories of perseverance, yet I don’t really want to be one of those folks who have to persevere and endure such difficult things.
That goes for most of it doesn’t it? We are inspired by tales of overcoming difficult obstacles, yet we tend to despise the obstacles in our own lives, the very things that can make us people of perseverance. We seem to simply want little more than everything coming easy. We are content with being inspired, when we could become inspiring.
According to Scripture, God is jealous to make His people people of perseverance. We are even told that Christians should count various kinds of trials joy because they are used by God to make us people of maturity and perseverance (James 1:2-4). While watching the Olympics, I am wise to use the plethora of perseverance stories to remind myself that I should not despise the means God ordains to making me a man that, just maybe, can inspire others and not just be inspired. Maybe you can watch and be reminded of the same.
Busy is Better?
Posted by: | CommentsWell, maybe not necessarily ‘busy’, but busier might be better in some sense. I have come to realize that over the past week, as my family is away. As you can see, my blogging has been light. Yet I have had more time! Does that make any sense?
Well, I have heard it said that if you want to get something done, go ask the busiest person you know. It’s not a fail proof statement, but it doest prove a simple point, namely, that the reason many people are so busy is because they actually get things done, so people come ask them to do more. Again, this is not to exalt busyness, but it is to say that oftentimes, when we have the most to do, we get the most done. And when we have the least to do, we get the least done.
That hasn’t proven to be exactly the case in this instance for me, but there is a good degree of truth in it. With more time, I begin to think I can do various other things and, inevitably, I don’t have as much time as I originally thought. Consequently, a simple practice such as blogging gets crowded out. But by what? That’s a good question, indeed.
Do you notice this at work in your own life? Do a host of activities serve to strengthen your focus and a lack of activities maybe make you too relaxed? It’s at least worth considering. Having a good balance between the two seems best to me.
Christmas May Not Come?
Posted by: | CommentsAround Christmas time, there are all sorts of Christians out there saying, “Don’t forget the reason for the season.” Probably so many of us are mentioning something along those lines that everyone gets a bit tired of it. Some may say in response, “Come on, really, we know what Christmas is all about. And can you please do without the cheesy rhyme?” Then they tread off to Church for the Christmas Eve service in order to remember the real reason for the season (A side note: when we were growing up, my brother and I used to call those who came to church only for Christmas Eve and Easter (the busiest church days no doubt), “Chrevesters”–no offense intended if you are one of them, but it is a funny memory for me).
And yet, I’m inclined to believe that very few families in America today really center their Christmas season on the birth of Jesus Christ (Christians included). For as I have been finding it, it is rather difficult to do. At the very least, it is something that takes effort. Take, for example, the last two Christmas specials I have watched with my kids. First, the classic, old-school ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” Second, “Elmo’s Countdown to Christmas.”
I wouldn’t miss either one, but there was one, central common denominator to both shows that bothered me and, in my opinion, demanded explanation to my kids. The common denominator? That Christmas might not come unless….1) Rudolph saves the day with his red nose or 2) Mr. Ben Stiller Elf guy gets all the blocks for the countdown (it really was Ben Stiller and he was a funny elf in my opinion).
Most folks probably won’t think it is a very big deal, but there is a clear message being sent to everyone watching. And if you don’t think kids pick up on this message, you either don’t have them or don’t pay much attention to what they talk about most at Christmas. The clear message is that Christmas isn’t really about Jesus Christ, but (probably) about all the traditions we enjoy , especially the one about Santa bringing all sorts of gifts we get to open and enjoy.
They are only two examples, but as television serves as a reflection of where we are and where we will be, I think that if you watch your tv carefully, you will recognize that very few folks out there center their Christmas upon the birth of Jesus Christ. And if you think that only kids are affected, you are having difficulty seeing yourself. For though we adults might not get all warm and fuzzy over Santa, we do tend to celebrate Christmas for the Holiday’s sake, not Christ’s. Notice even the language we use, “Celebrating the Holiday.” How do you do that?
Some of you reading may not give a rip about what I just said, because you are content celebrating the holiday itself. That’s fine (in one sense). But for those of you who profess faith in Christ, I believe that what I just said is worth reflecting upon. Take a look at your traditions, your conversations, the general tenor and enthusiasm in your home. Then ask yourself: What are we really celebrating?
