Compartments & Halloween

1. Sometimes, being a ‘Christian’ reminds me of Halloween. As in, it is something where we can compartmentalize who we are and what we do and it isn’t weird. Actually, it is encouraged. One day a year, on Halloween, we get a chance to dress in a silly costume and act like something we are not. We plan get-togethers, parties, etc all in the name of dressing up in a costume and acting ridiculous. Now if anyone were to do this on any day other than Halloween, they would be laughed at. We would probably call them ‘weirdo’s’ or something awful like that.

2. As Christians, we talk about ‘doing ministry’ on a mission trip like it is our purpose. However, when we get home we don’t do any mission work in our own community. If it was truly our passion, we would do it continuously. No one has to remind you of your passion; no one has to push you to love whatever you love. If they had to do that, the passion would only rely on the person reminding you, and the love would be completely dependant on the push. Ironically, the people that pursue mission work as their passion in their own communities are the ones we call ‘weirdo’s.’ On mission trips, we do door-to-door ministries in order to try and connect/talk with people we may not ever run into otherwise. Now think about the people that do that to you (you know, on Saturday mornings… knock on the front door… those ‘weirdo’s’ on bicycles…). Why does going on a mission trip make things like that ok, but doing it at home make it weird? Why do we need to go far away to provide for the homeless and needy when there are a bunch of homeless people downtown?? …oh that’s right, the ones downtown are dangerous… “hurry, lock the doors, don’t make eye contact..!”

3. How does it help us to pray together on a team, in the office, in your small group, at home, etc if we never interact outside of that prayer? If our prayers are only rituals to begin and end our 10 minutes together, we need not waste each others’ time. Prayer isn’t something we are doing to change the heart of God, it is something we do in order for God to change OUR hearts. Praying with other people is a sacred, vulnerable, intimate act- don’t throw it around like it’s a text message to the God of the universe.

4. Do we really want to know God? When God shows up, things CHANGE. But most Christians hate change. Once we’re saved, change becomes a threat to the kingdoms we begin to build for ourselves. Ultimately then, it’s not about growing God’s kingdom, but growing OUR kingdom in the name of God. That sorta reminds me of Christopher Columbus- a man who came to America and massacred 1000’s of natives in the name of ‘God and riches.’

-I am a Christian. I want to learn how to love Jesus with every fiber of my being. I want to know how to love people unconditionally. Ultimately, I believe we, as people, preach what we need to hear. We love how we want to be loved. We attack others due to the insecurities we see in ourselves. Therefore, many things I write are probably things I am struggling with at that moment. I am never scared to offend anyone, but I hope nothing I ever write hurts anybody. If it does, I apologize in advance. These are just my thoughts, no to be taken as proven fact or reality… just my reality.

*For some reason I always dressed up like a vampire on Halloween- seriously, for 6ish years in a row I was a vampire… and that was way before Team Edward. ☺

What I learned from Tupac

Last night while flipping through the channels, I saw a documentary that caught my attention. It was a documentary on the life of Tupac. I was in 8th grade when he was killed, so my appreciation for him didn't really develop until after he was gone. I used to have all of his albums, but somewhere in the chaos of jumping all over the map in the past few years, I have lost them all. I forgot how much I liked him. After we watched that documentary, I got on youtube and listened to a bunch of my favorite songs. Pac was a genius. I think the best thing about him though, was the reality that he brought to the light. He was willing to say what everyone around him was thinking, yet too afraid to say. He saw [his] reality for what it was, regardless if it offended anyone. He knew he had to be honest about reality if he ever wanted to confront/change it. I learn a ton from stuff like that- People connect to authenticity. People yearn for someone, anyone who is completely willing to confront reality, no matter what it costs or who it offends.

Food for thought.

*Creative people are very misunderstood. Creativity is closely related to passion, and TRUE passion cannot be compartmentalized. Passion cannot be masked, and it is not contained in the cultural norms of society. I am not AT ALL saying that all passions are right, justifiable, or should be accepted. I am, however, saying that passion is not something that can be contained but it should be channeled. We live in a culture that tries to kill passion. Ultimately, we don't want anyone to make us feel uncomfortable or ask us questions that we'd rather hide from. We'd rather everyone be a straight line for fear of uncertainty in the direction of a curve. I appreciate passionate people, even if their passions are misdirected- I don't have to agree with them to appreciate them. This world needs more people who are willing to stand up and ask the tough questions, regardless of what others will think. We need more people who will run at full speed and give all they have for a cause. Passion is contagious. Unfortunately, so is laziness. I choose passion.