Isaiah 54: 4 -8
"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer
shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be
humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of
your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband-
the LORD Almighty is his name-
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and
distressed in spirit
a wife who married young,
only to be rejeted," says your God.
"For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring
you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you." says the LORD your Redeemer.
Psalm 37
DO NOT FRET because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die
away.
TRUST in the LORD and do good;
DWELL in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
DELIGHT yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your
heart.
COMMIT your way to the LORD;
TRUST in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
BE STILL before the LORD and WAIT patiently
for him;
DO NOT FRET when men succeed in their
ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
REFRAIN from anger and turn from wrath;
DO NOT FRET- it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
v 11. But the meek will inherit the land and ENJOY GREAT PEACE.
v 17b. the LORD upholds the righteous.
v 34 WAIT for the LORD and KEEP his ways. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, YOU WILL SEE IT.
v37. CONSIDER the blameless, OBSERVE the upright; THERE IS FUTURE FOR THE MAN OF PEACE...
This passage has all passive verbs. He knows and understands and has deep compassion on the week. He wants us to rest in him. Just rest. He gives us what we are capable of. God is so wonderful.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stories I've only told once.
So I've been thinking about how I probably won't stay in this Condo much longer. Which is a natural assumption I think. I'm in a temporary stage of life (aren't most 'stages' in life temporary?); and I never intended on staying here for very long. This imminent change seems more tangible right now than ever. On this note, I want to remember what it was like. What happened here, who was involved and how I felt. Right now I'm thinking about my neighbors.
Catercorner to us is a sweet old Russian lady. Well I think she's Russian. I'm not certain about that, but she talks on her phone a lot. And she's always yelling! I can never tell if she's pissed or if that's just the way she speaks. She lives alone, but frequently has, who I assume to be, family over. Occasionally I'll see her walking around the complex. She has a sweet little grandma face and speaks little to no English. I ran into her once right after we moved in. A water main had broken and all the water in the complex had been shut off. She just looked at me and said, "water..." I tried to explain that it would turn back on later. I suppose she understood enough because she smiled and waved and walked away. There used to be a car that would pick her up and drop her off every day. Some where along the line that stopped, I never see it any more.
Directly across from us lives a single man, late twenties, a school teacher named Michael. We first met him when we purchased a new couch. In the store, I was convinced that I would be able to carry it and get it all the way up the stairs and into the condo. I'm wiry after all! Needless to say, there was NO way I was getting it off the truck bed let alone all the way to our condo. So Andrew knocked on his door, explained the situation, and with no hesitation Michael simply said, "Let me get my shoes on." The boys skillfully worked the couch up stairs and placed it in front of the t.v. where it belongs. Where upon I offered him something to drink. He took the water I gave him, and proceeded to stay and talk to us for another forty-five minutes. Which is really no big deal, except there was really nothing to talk about. He was standing there awkwardly in our living room saying things like, "So I see you ride a bike..." I think he is lonely. I've baked him cookies a couple times. He plays loud music, but is otherwise quiet. Except every now and then I'll hear him yell, "What the F--- was that?!" The first time he did it I was home alone, so it made me nervous to hear a man yelling. But now if I hear him, it just makes me laugh a little to myself. Love you Mike!
And then there is Amber... This might take a while folks... Our tall, skinny, beautiful, charming down-stairs neighbor. To be completely honest, I think we were meant to be friends, but I ruined it. She's super sweet and outgoing and we happen to have a lot in common. But there were a series of events that seemed to push our potential friendship out of the picture. We first met her the day she moved in. She walked right up to us and introduced herself and the two people with her - her boyfriend (now husband), and her sister. We would run into each other, as would be expected living so closely to each other, and chat when we did. It only took about six months, however, before we got the first of several complaints. A note on our door step saying that she was a hairdresser and so had a very sensitive sleep schedule and could we please keep the noise down... What?! First of all, SHE might have one, but hairdressers, as a group, DO NOT have a sensitive sleep schedule. Second, we really didn't realize we were making noise. She was actually very sweet about it, and even suggested we trade phone numbers so if we ever needed anything we could get a hold of her. So I wrote her an amicable note back apologizing. "We didn't realize we were making so much noise and of course we'll trade phone numbers! Oh and it's awesome that you're a hairdresser, so am I!" That sort of thing... I was more embarrassed at that point than anything.
There was one defining moment of shame for me. One day we were both walking home from our cars, I greeted her, she said 'hi' and kept walking all the way to our front doors in silence. She called me the next day and left a message apologizing for snubbing me and asked if I wanted to come over some time for coffee/tea and we could get to know each other better. Well, for no particular reason, I never called her back. I can blame it on various things going on in my life. But the fact that I never called her has always been a point of shame. And I think I may have set the tone for the rest of our relationship.
Then there was a period of time where she was gone and we didn't see her for a long time. Well, turns out she was away getting married. I'm sure she was a gorgeous bride! Here I think I should interject that Andrew and I are some of the most boring people I know. We don't throw crazy parties, we don't stay up late, or listen to anything very loud. (Not that those are the only ways to have/be fun. But the point is, we're fairly quiet.) Not long after the new hubby moved in, we received a phone call on the one night we actually had people over. It was the moment AFTER everyone had left at about 10:00 pm. Understandable...maybe. Then about two months later we received another note wanting us to keep the "stomping and walking around" down. So I wrote another amicable note back explaining that when you have people living above you, you will hear them walking around. But the best and most recent complaint, was one evening Andrew was playing with Frank (our puppy). Our neighbor boy came all the way up-stairs, knocked on our door, and asked Andrew if we were ok... yeah, we're ok. "oh, ok, I just heard like a constant rumbling and wanted to make sure you were alright." So now, my thinly veiled frustration at his passive-aggression is...obvious. But I don't really know what we are supposed to do at this point. I missed my chance to make friends, and now they hate us so much I don't know if I can ever make it right. So confusing!!
So, there it is... My neighborhood experience for the first two years of living in our condo. The cute the funny and the ugly. I'll take any suggestions as to how to approach my down-stairs neighbors. I want to be a kind, considerate neighbor! But I'm too socially awkward to know what to do...
That's it for now!
Catercorner to us is a sweet old Russian lady. Well I think she's Russian. I'm not certain about that, but she talks on her phone a lot. And she's always yelling! I can never tell if she's pissed or if that's just the way she speaks. She lives alone, but frequently has, who I assume to be, family over. Occasionally I'll see her walking around the complex. She has a sweet little grandma face and speaks little to no English. I ran into her once right after we moved in. A water main had broken and all the water in the complex had been shut off. She just looked at me and said, "water..." I tried to explain that it would turn back on later. I suppose she understood enough because she smiled and waved and walked away. There used to be a car that would pick her up and drop her off every day. Some where along the line that stopped, I never see it any more.
Directly across from us lives a single man, late twenties, a school teacher named Michael. We first met him when we purchased a new couch. In the store, I was convinced that I would be able to carry it and get it all the way up the stairs and into the condo. I'm wiry after all! Needless to say, there was NO way I was getting it off the truck bed let alone all the way to our condo. So Andrew knocked on his door, explained the situation, and with no hesitation Michael simply said, "Let me get my shoes on." The boys skillfully worked the couch up stairs and placed it in front of the t.v. where it belongs. Where upon I offered him something to drink. He took the water I gave him, and proceeded to stay and talk to us for another forty-five minutes. Which is really no big deal, except there was really nothing to talk about. He was standing there awkwardly in our living room saying things like, "So I see you ride a bike..." I think he is lonely. I've baked him cookies a couple times. He plays loud music, but is otherwise quiet. Except every now and then I'll hear him yell, "What the F--- was that?!" The first time he did it I was home alone, so it made me nervous to hear a man yelling. But now if I hear him, it just makes me laugh a little to myself. Love you Mike!
And then there is Amber... This might take a while folks... Our tall, skinny, beautiful, charming down-stairs neighbor. To be completely honest, I think we were meant to be friends, but I ruined it. She's super sweet and outgoing and we happen to have a lot in common. But there were a series of events that seemed to push our potential friendship out of the picture. We first met her the day she moved in. She walked right up to us and introduced herself and the two people with her - her boyfriend (now husband), and her sister. We would run into each other, as would be expected living so closely to each other, and chat when we did. It only took about six months, however, before we got the first of several complaints. A note on our door step saying that she was a hairdresser and so had a very sensitive sleep schedule and could we please keep the noise down... What?! First of all, SHE might have one, but hairdressers, as a group, DO NOT have a sensitive sleep schedule. Second, we really didn't realize we were making noise. She was actually very sweet about it, and even suggested we trade phone numbers so if we ever needed anything we could get a hold of her. So I wrote her an amicable note back apologizing. "We didn't realize we were making so much noise and of course we'll trade phone numbers! Oh and it's awesome that you're a hairdresser, so am I!" That sort of thing... I was more embarrassed at that point than anything.
There was one defining moment of shame for me. One day we were both walking home from our cars, I greeted her, she said 'hi' and kept walking all the way to our front doors in silence. She called me the next day and left a message apologizing for snubbing me and asked if I wanted to come over some time for coffee/tea and we could get to know each other better. Well, for no particular reason, I never called her back. I can blame it on various things going on in my life. But the fact that I never called her has always been a point of shame. And I think I may have set the tone for the rest of our relationship.
Then there was a period of time where she was gone and we didn't see her for a long time. Well, turns out she was away getting married. I'm sure she was a gorgeous bride! Here I think I should interject that Andrew and I are some of the most boring people I know. We don't throw crazy parties, we don't stay up late, or listen to anything very loud. (Not that those are the only ways to have/be fun. But the point is, we're fairly quiet.) Not long after the new hubby moved in, we received a phone call on the one night we actually had people over. It was the moment AFTER everyone had left at about 10:00 pm. Understandable...maybe. Then about two months later we received another note wanting us to keep the "stomping and walking around" down. So I wrote another amicable note back explaining that when you have people living above you, you will hear them walking around. But the best and most recent complaint, was one evening Andrew was playing with Frank (our puppy). Our neighbor boy came all the way up-stairs, knocked on our door, and asked Andrew if we were ok... yeah, we're ok. "oh, ok, I just heard like a constant rumbling and wanted to make sure you were alright." So now, my thinly veiled frustration at his passive-aggression is...obvious. But I don't really know what we are supposed to do at this point. I missed my chance to make friends, and now they hate us so much I don't know if I can ever make it right. So confusing!!
So, there it is... My neighborhood experience for the first two years of living in our condo. The cute the funny and the ugly. I'll take any suggestions as to how to approach my down-stairs neighbors. I want to be a kind, considerate neighbor! But I'm too socially awkward to know what to do...
That's it for now!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Matrix theory
This entry may quickly remove any credibility I may or may not have had. This has been a thought bouncing around in my head for some time. I've shared it with a couple people. Mostly the reaction is something like, "ok. I guess I get that." So, I suppose this is a disclaimer to say: I know I sound crazy. And I know there are many philosophical points I may be negating. And hopefully anyone reading this will leave any commentary or arguments they wish.
Moving on...
I really feel like life is like the Matrix. No, I do not think that I'm really in a pod being incubated by A.I. for energy. I don't believe the Matrix is real. It's more a parallel to how I feel right now than anything.
To explain...
In the Matrix, when Neo takes the pill (red or blue I can't remember) he is enlightened to reality, life as he knew it took a completely different form and meaning. What he had known to be true his entire life was in fact an illusion. It was not truth. Where upon receiving this truth, Neo could then manipulate his experience in the Matrix. I.e. Leaping over buildings, dodging bullets, etc...
In this sense, I have been enlightened to truth. I understand the reality of human design. We have purpose outside of what we would choose if left to our vices. My world view will never be a "normal" one because I will always filter everything through this truth.
Now then, when the people enlightened to the reality of the Matrix reentered (by way of plugging themselves in), and were by chance shot or harmed in other ways, their mind could not distinguish experience from reality. They knew their bodies were safely back in the chairs. But the sensory experience of a bullet rupturing their body was too overwhelming and their minds convinced their bodies that they were dead.
Similarly, I live in this world, regardless of what I know about it. I have experiences of happiness as well as of pain. I know that when I have pain that is inflicted by another person, it is not necessarily the person that is my enemy. It is a source outside of who that person was meant to be - possibly human nature. I know my worth and stability can never come from another human. But there are experiences so overwhelming that the reality of truth outside that experience seems nigh impossible. People, what they say and do, affect me. Experiences and my surroundings affect me. My own thoughts affect me! Very often so much so, that my mind cannot override and distinguish experience from reality.
I guess, simply put, reason and logic don't always address or coincide with emotions.
Too long in my life did I completely stifle my emotions. I looked only at what I knew to be true, no matter what I felt about it. Feelings, after all, can be very deceiving! Can be. But aren't always. God gives us emotion on purpose. He wants us to have sensory experience. And I do believe women have very acute senses or intuition about certain situations. However, emotions are a good indicator, not a reliable guide. (A wise woman once told me that. Thanks Lil B.)
For anyone that may be reading this, I apologize for my jumbled thoughts. I'm learning. And hope to always continue learning. So if anyone has any input, I would love to hear it. Even if it's just to tell me I'm nuts. I'll take it.
Moving on...
I really feel like life is like the Matrix. No, I do not think that I'm really in a pod being incubated by A.I. for energy. I don't believe the Matrix is real. It's more a parallel to how I feel right now than anything.
To explain...
In the Matrix, when Neo takes the pill (red or blue I can't remember) he is enlightened to reality, life as he knew it took a completely different form and meaning. What he had known to be true his entire life was in fact an illusion. It was not truth. Where upon receiving this truth, Neo could then manipulate his experience in the Matrix. I.e. Leaping over buildings, dodging bullets, etc...
In this sense, I have been enlightened to truth. I understand the reality of human design. We have purpose outside of what we would choose if left to our vices. My world view will never be a "normal" one because I will always filter everything through this truth.
Now then, when the people enlightened to the reality of the Matrix reentered (by way of plugging themselves in), and were by chance shot or harmed in other ways, their mind could not distinguish experience from reality. They knew their bodies were safely back in the chairs. But the sensory experience of a bullet rupturing their body was too overwhelming and their minds convinced their bodies that they were dead.
Similarly, I live in this world, regardless of what I know about it. I have experiences of happiness as well as of pain. I know that when I have pain that is inflicted by another person, it is not necessarily the person that is my enemy. It is a source outside of who that person was meant to be - possibly human nature. I know my worth and stability can never come from another human. But there are experiences so overwhelming that the reality of truth outside that experience seems nigh impossible. People, what they say and do, affect me. Experiences and my surroundings affect me. My own thoughts affect me! Very often so much so, that my mind cannot override and distinguish experience from reality.
I guess, simply put, reason and logic don't always address or coincide with emotions.
Too long in my life did I completely stifle my emotions. I looked only at what I knew to be true, no matter what I felt about it. Feelings, after all, can be very deceiving! Can be. But aren't always. God gives us emotion on purpose. He wants us to have sensory experience. And I do believe women have very acute senses or intuition about certain situations. However, emotions are a good indicator, not a reliable guide. (A wise woman once told me that. Thanks Lil B.)
For anyone that may be reading this, I apologize for my jumbled thoughts. I'm learning. And hope to always continue learning. So if anyone has any input, I would love to hear it. Even if it's just to tell me I'm nuts. I'll take it.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Naked I Came...
Naked I came from my mother's womb
And naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken
away;
may the name of the Lord be praised."
- Job 1:21
And naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken
away;
may the name of the Lord be praised."
- Job 1:21
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
First time blogging....
Discrimination. The Solution for Bigotry?
Discrimination. What comes to mind when you hear that word? What varied contexts do you put it in? The word is full of history and meaning. American history alone has been checkered with the oppressive force that is discrimination. Wars have been fought based on the rejection or the acceptance of a people group, an institution, ideas, etc. Discrimination is a word that often fosters a sense of anxiety for many modern Americans. We want to hush anyone who speaks it, for fear a label will attach itself to our person. We are afraid we will be viewed as bigots, racists, or all around hateful people, and rightfully so! These are descriptors we seek to abolish. America was established for the purpose of freedom, after all. We as individuals are given rights and are called upon to extend those rights to our neighbor. It is not the word “discrimination” alone, however, that has caused such social anxiety - it is caused by the choices and actions of people. The word itself holds a definition, when untied from the past that means a great deal more than oppression. Discrimination can be defined with a meaning rich in discernment and integrity, rather than that of hate and oppression. It is when we look at the true definition of discrimination that we will have a more clear view of what is good, just, and worthy of fighting for.
What is discrimination? Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines discrimination as: “…acute discernment; as to show great discrimination in the choice of means.” If there were a person representative of this definition he would structure his life in such a way as to always be gaining understanding. This implies a person who is capable of discerning right from wrong, who is able to view the world objectively, and who understands the human condition. Dr. M. Scott Peck in his book The Road Less Traveled, shares his experience as a psychotherapist. One of his many findings while working with individuals is the importance of being able to change with the acquisition of new information. Peck states, “This process of active clinging to an outmoded view of reality is the basis for much mental illness.” We must be able to discriminate between reality and that which is unreal. Peck further explains, “The less clearly we see the reality of the world- the more our minds are befuddled by falsehood, misperceptions and illusions- the less able we will be to determine correct courses of action and make wise decisions.” It would seem the battles of “discrimination” in our history are more accurately battles of indiscriminant thought which are followed by misguided action.
Referring again to the discriminate person, he will live to gain not only knowledge, but also understanding. He chooses to see situations and people as having a purpose and meaning that doesn’t always show itself readily. This gives us a picture of a person who views the world around him as something much greater than himself and seeks insight as to how to live effectively in it. We are not necessarily born with the clarity and perception necessary to interpret our surroundings - how they affect us and those around us. It is beneficial to find people with wisdom much greater than our own, who have developed a more accurate perception of life. That kind of acuity is developed over the course of our lives through trusted guidance, experience, and deliberation.
It is through effort and a sharp discriminate mind that we are able to form the foundation upon which we build our opinions about ourselves and our circumstances. Jacob Needleman, a professor of philosophy, in his book Why Can’t We Be Good?, presents the idea that it is the power of the opinions we form that affects everything we do and believe. Because it is our surroundings that fill our minds and form our opinions, and because we have limited control of our surroundings, we must be very careful as to what we allow into our minds. Needleman asserts, “Ideas, and opinions and the perceptions, experiences, and impressions they allow us constitute the food of the mind. Our actions, that is, our moral health, are affected by the quality of this food we put into our mind no less than our physical health is affected by the quality of the food we put into our bodies.” It is in this quality of discrimination applied to the “food of our minds,” that we enable ourselves to realize the understanding and clarity we need to live effectively in our world.
Although society is very familiar with the term discrimination, it is needful to examine how the deeper meaning of the word can help rather than hurt. Utilizing a source as simple and well known as Webster’s dictionary, reveals a more broad sense of the word itself and allows a deeper application of life to be found. A person of discrimination is portrayed as one who discerns right from wrong and recognizes reality over unreality; who seeks insight for this world, and looks for it in trusted advisors; who is not only aware of their surroundings, but is also aware of the need to safeguard their minds with regard to the opinions and choices they make. Despite the often negative connotation, discrimination means a great deal more than just oppression. When describing actions that display discernment and integrity, discrimination can positively affect society.
Evan Sayet, a comedian and political activist gives insight as to the outcome of living an indiscriminate life. “Indiscriminateness of thought invariably leads to side with evil over good, wrong over right, and the behaviors that lead to failure over those that lead to success.” A person of indiscriminate thought is a person without standards; a person that places no higher value on anyone or anything. This is someone who wants to view everything, all situations, as equal; to deem all around him as having equal value and all he does as having equal outcome. Without discrimination, without a standard of what is right, we will never know what it is we are standing for.
In all things, there has to be a constant standard of truth that defines our values. There has to be a standard by which to discriminate between what is right and what is wrong; a standard to hold everything thing up against; a standard to stand on regardless of how we feel. A discriminate person will seek a standard he knows will never change and will always be reliable even when he is weak. To have a standard this unwavering, it must be defined by truth. The understanding of truth is widely varied from culture to culture. A principle learned in our country may be taught and applied very differently in another. Whatever truth is, however, it was true before we understood it.
We are taught by our parents, peers, and surrounding cultures what to believe as true. When we dedicate our lives to seeking truth, though, we will be able to transcend our culture and other indoctrinated beliefs. The existence of absolute truth or one true morality is a monumental question, one debated for centuries. For the discussion of the discriminate mind, we will be relying on the truths of the Bible. The truth of the Bible transcends all cultures because it speaks to all people and all cultures. It is by this truth that we find the stability to define what is right and what is wrong.
Truth always was and will always be-- regardless of our believing it or recognizing it. Some would argue that unless they can see something or feel it, it isn’t real or true. It’s true that our feelings can be a very good indicator of what is real or true. Regardless of cultural history, the pain of loss can be very real indeed. The feelings of injustice will enflame a desire for the truth to be known and upheld. It is also our feelings, however, that will be the first to change when faced with difficult situations. We may believe justice is rightly enacted upon someone else; but we will cry out for mercy when we are the ones accused. They are a good indicator, not a reliable guide. Discrimination must be used to recognize the affects our feelings have on our life choices.
If our feelings are our only guide, the expected outcome would always be self preservation. Our feelings will always cause us to avoid pain. We are faced every day with many problems that require working through to resolution. The process of working through problems is frequently painful. Discrimination must be used to override the desire to avoid pain with the understanding of the benefits of the end result. This is the choice of delaying gratification. Peck, also explains, in his book The Road Less Traveled, the delaying gratification this way: “It is choosing to suffer now in the hope of future gratification rather than choosing to continue present gratification in the hope that future suffering will not be necessary.”
Choosing to delay gratification is something we learn to do at a very young age. We learn that if we want to watch television after school, we must first finish our homework. We learn to suffer through the problems life brings with the knowledge of future gratification. It is when the discipline of delaying gratification is used that a standard for the discriminate mind is reinforced. Through experiences where we choose to delay gratification, we learn that the standard we use for priorities is trustworthy. We learn that a standard outside our own natural desires will produce the most practical way of living, and will ultimately fulfill our very real emotional desires. This is a truth that permeates the Bible.
If we allow our feelings to guide us, rather than steadfast truth, we will also be lead to passivity. Instead of actively choosing what is right, we will passively choose to do nothing in hopes that things will ‘just work out.’ In reality, the longer problems are ignored the bigger, more complex, and more painful they become. The discriminate person, who has established standards by which he makes choices, will not allow passivity. He understands that his choices, passive or active, will affect his life as well as the lives around him. A person ruled by the feeling of the moment may very well be moved to action when presented with choices. When pressed, he may even know the right thing to do. He will only act, however, when his feelings allow him to. A person controlled by feelings is susceptible to constant changes of mind; ultimately he is driven solely by his own self-interest. He will choose to act on whims of the moment if it pleases him, or simply ignore problems until, in theory, they take care of themselves. Conversely, the discriminate person, though aware of his desire to avoid pain, keeps his standard of truth as his driving force towards what will be the best possible outcome.
The discriminate person, then, is enlightened to the human condition. He understands that when man is motivated by his own desires, he might want to do good when it suits him; but more assuredly he will choose to protect his own self--interest above all. This results in the avoidance of any pain, by way of ignoring the problems of the moment in pursuit of the gratification of the moment. This way of living can lead to any number of psychological and behavioral neuroses, including addiction. What then is the discriminating person to trust as the absolute standard of truth? He knows he cannot trust himself. Can he trust others? Certainly intimate relationships are imperative to our well being; namely the relationships with people wiser and more reliable than ourselves. A discriminate person, however, understands that we are all susceptible to the pull of our feelings and desires, even the people we respect and trust. We are then lead to find a standard of truth outside of man; but originating from a living rational being, for what can be learned or instilled by an inanimate object?
This is a difficult question with no easy answer. It is a question that has been pondered by mankind throughout the ages. Nevertheless, the logical, discriminate deduction for our need of a standard to guide our emotion--filled life overwhelmingly points to the need for God. The God of the Bible provides the steadfast, logical, discriminate guidance to the problems and choices we are faced with. Though often controversial and ridiculed, the God of the Bible delivers the absolutes we need to govern our lives.
How often do we see people that run their lives in this way-- who have the kind of discrimination that leads them to always choose right over wrong? Not very often. Most often we see people that claim that this is the right way to live and yet live their lives very differently. Most people agree that there is a right way to act and a wrong way to act, regardless of why they think it is right or wrong. We believe for a man to intentionally step on another man’s foot is unkind. We believe we should follow the laws of the land we are in. Most people believe acts of prejudiced discrimination, or bigotry on any level is harmful and wrong. This is the general consensus. So why do people still do bad things? If we generally agree on a correct way to behave, why does so much evil still happen? It is because in our hearts we believe ourselves to be better or more important than anyone else. It is because we make choices that benefit our own gratification. If this were not true, if we were all looking out for the interests of others, why would we ever fear someone hurting us? Wouldn’t harm be unnecessary? Everyone would be looking out for our needs as well and we would never be in the position of being taken advantage of. No one would ever have to take anything from anyone else because all their needs would be taken care of. Ultimately we make ourselves our own highest morality by placing ourselves as the highest authority on our lives. We discriminate between what will please ourselves and what will be detrimental to our time, our bank account, our comfort, etc.
So what is the solution to this history--long battle of self--idolatry versus the discriminate life laid out in the Bible? There is the solution the world gives, and the solution the Bible gives. Donald Miller, a teacher and speaker, shares his journey to revelation of the truth of our nature. He explains the world’s view that if we simply try hard enough we will earn our status as “good” people. Miller intimates, “I figured I could just make myself do good things, and think good thoughts about other people, but that was no easier than waking up to a complete stranger and falling in love with them.” We will inevitably fail if we rely solely on our discipline to make us good.
Another common charge the world gives comes to us in a well--known song. The Beatles “All You Need Is Love,” tells us that it’s that easy. If we could just love everyone then all the bigotry and hurt in the world would be resolved. Many Rights Activists would tend to agree with this; and it does seem to be a convincing solution. However, this simplistic charge provides no method of obtaining this goal. Caleb Campbell, a pastor, illuminates in one of his Sunday Night sermons, “The reason Anti-Bigotry won’t create harmony is because you end up loving everyone except the bigots.” Our love, while hugely effective on the lives around us, is too often ambiguous and too imperfect to claim it as the solution.
Campbell reasons that if purely thinking yourself better than other people is bigotry, then we are all susceptible to being bigots. That doesn’t mean we are all acting out hate crimes; it simply means we are fundamentally prone to bigotry. Because of this, in order to change, in order to be the solution to the hate and hurt in our world, we must be fundamentally changed. Who we are at the core of our being must be altered in such a dramatic way that we are capable of doing things unconsciously that we otherwise may never have been able to do, try as hard as we might. The Bible promises to give us this life--altering power. The Bible lays out the example for us to follow to live outside of our own natural desires, to change our hearts and minds to recognize right and wrong, and to crave only what is good and right. The Bible does not say that if we follow certain steps then we will always be happy, or that we will never mess up. In fact, it promises that while we are on earth we will experience pain and we will fall short of perfect. We will still have selfish desires; we will still tend to choose to meet our own needs over other’s needs. It does promise, however, that regardless of our hang-ups, the truth of the Bible will change our hearts more and more to the likeness of the perfect God, and to how we were created to be.
Our minds are a beautiful gift. We are capable of learning and growing; we are capable of communicating and understanding intent even above surface actions; and we are capable of enlightenment to great purpose. We should always strive to gain understanding of who we are and how this world works. Discrimination must be used to delineate between the truth and the absurd; and we must be careful with what we leave ourselves open to. However, if we have a standard of truth to filter our thoughts and experiences we will be able to remain firmly grounded even when faced with trying or confusing situations. To effectively use our ability to discriminate, the standard of truth we use must be founded on its absolute stability and clarity. The truths found in the Bible have remained and give an absolute guideline to follow on how to live our lives in harmony with our fellow man for the short duration of our time on this earth.
Discrimination. What comes to mind when you hear that word? What varied contexts do you put it in? The word is full of history and meaning. American history alone has been checkered with the oppressive force that is discrimination. Wars have been fought based on the rejection or the acceptance of a people group, an institution, ideas, etc. Discrimination is a word that often fosters a sense of anxiety for many modern Americans. We want to hush anyone who speaks it, for fear a label will attach itself to our person. We are afraid we will be viewed as bigots, racists, or all around hateful people, and rightfully so! These are descriptors we seek to abolish. America was established for the purpose of freedom, after all. We as individuals are given rights and are called upon to extend those rights to our neighbor. It is not the word “discrimination” alone, however, that has caused such social anxiety - it is caused by the choices and actions of people. The word itself holds a definition, when untied from the past that means a great deal more than oppression. Discrimination can be defined with a meaning rich in discernment and integrity, rather than that of hate and oppression. It is when we look at the true definition of discrimination that we will have a more clear view of what is good, just, and worthy of fighting for.
What is discrimination? Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines discrimination as: “…acute discernment; as to show great discrimination in the choice of means.” If there were a person representative of this definition he would structure his life in such a way as to always be gaining understanding. This implies a person who is capable of discerning right from wrong, who is able to view the world objectively, and who understands the human condition. Dr. M. Scott Peck in his book The Road Less Traveled, shares his experience as a psychotherapist. One of his many findings while working with individuals is the importance of being able to change with the acquisition of new information. Peck states, “This process of active clinging to an outmoded view of reality is the basis for much mental illness.” We must be able to discriminate between reality and that which is unreal. Peck further explains, “The less clearly we see the reality of the world- the more our minds are befuddled by falsehood, misperceptions and illusions- the less able we will be to determine correct courses of action and make wise decisions.” It would seem the battles of “discrimination” in our history are more accurately battles of indiscriminant thought which are followed by misguided action.
Referring again to the discriminate person, he will live to gain not only knowledge, but also understanding. He chooses to see situations and people as having a purpose and meaning that doesn’t always show itself readily. This gives us a picture of a person who views the world around him as something much greater than himself and seeks insight as to how to live effectively in it. We are not necessarily born with the clarity and perception necessary to interpret our surroundings - how they affect us and those around us. It is beneficial to find people with wisdom much greater than our own, who have developed a more accurate perception of life. That kind of acuity is developed over the course of our lives through trusted guidance, experience, and deliberation.
It is through effort and a sharp discriminate mind that we are able to form the foundation upon which we build our opinions about ourselves and our circumstances. Jacob Needleman, a professor of philosophy, in his book Why Can’t We Be Good?, presents the idea that it is the power of the opinions we form that affects everything we do and believe. Because it is our surroundings that fill our minds and form our opinions, and because we have limited control of our surroundings, we must be very careful as to what we allow into our minds. Needleman asserts, “Ideas, and opinions and the perceptions, experiences, and impressions they allow us constitute the food of the mind. Our actions, that is, our moral health, are affected by the quality of this food we put into our mind no less than our physical health is affected by the quality of the food we put into our bodies.” It is in this quality of discrimination applied to the “food of our minds,” that we enable ourselves to realize the understanding and clarity we need to live effectively in our world.
Although society is very familiar with the term discrimination, it is needful to examine how the deeper meaning of the word can help rather than hurt. Utilizing a source as simple and well known as Webster’s dictionary, reveals a more broad sense of the word itself and allows a deeper application of life to be found. A person of discrimination is portrayed as one who discerns right from wrong and recognizes reality over unreality; who seeks insight for this world, and looks for it in trusted advisors; who is not only aware of their surroundings, but is also aware of the need to safeguard their minds with regard to the opinions and choices they make. Despite the often negative connotation, discrimination means a great deal more than just oppression. When describing actions that display discernment and integrity, discrimination can positively affect society.
Evan Sayet, a comedian and political activist gives insight as to the outcome of living an indiscriminate life. “Indiscriminateness of thought invariably leads to side with evil over good, wrong over right, and the behaviors that lead to failure over those that lead to success.” A person of indiscriminate thought is a person without standards; a person that places no higher value on anyone or anything. This is someone who wants to view everything, all situations, as equal; to deem all around him as having equal value and all he does as having equal outcome. Without discrimination, without a standard of what is right, we will never know what it is we are standing for.
In all things, there has to be a constant standard of truth that defines our values. There has to be a standard by which to discriminate between what is right and what is wrong; a standard to hold everything thing up against; a standard to stand on regardless of how we feel. A discriminate person will seek a standard he knows will never change and will always be reliable even when he is weak. To have a standard this unwavering, it must be defined by truth. The understanding of truth is widely varied from culture to culture. A principle learned in our country may be taught and applied very differently in another. Whatever truth is, however, it was true before we understood it.
We are taught by our parents, peers, and surrounding cultures what to believe as true. When we dedicate our lives to seeking truth, though, we will be able to transcend our culture and other indoctrinated beliefs. The existence of absolute truth or one true morality is a monumental question, one debated for centuries. For the discussion of the discriminate mind, we will be relying on the truths of the Bible. The truth of the Bible transcends all cultures because it speaks to all people and all cultures. It is by this truth that we find the stability to define what is right and what is wrong.
Truth always was and will always be-- regardless of our believing it or recognizing it. Some would argue that unless they can see something or feel it, it isn’t real or true. It’s true that our feelings can be a very good indicator of what is real or true. Regardless of cultural history, the pain of loss can be very real indeed. The feelings of injustice will enflame a desire for the truth to be known and upheld. It is also our feelings, however, that will be the first to change when faced with difficult situations. We may believe justice is rightly enacted upon someone else; but we will cry out for mercy when we are the ones accused. They are a good indicator, not a reliable guide. Discrimination must be used to recognize the affects our feelings have on our life choices.
If our feelings are our only guide, the expected outcome would always be self preservation. Our feelings will always cause us to avoid pain. We are faced every day with many problems that require working through to resolution. The process of working through problems is frequently painful. Discrimination must be used to override the desire to avoid pain with the understanding of the benefits of the end result. This is the choice of delaying gratification. Peck, also explains, in his book The Road Less Traveled, the delaying gratification this way: “It is choosing to suffer now in the hope of future gratification rather than choosing to continue present gratification in the hope that future suffering will not be necessary.”
Choosing to delay gratification is something we learn to do at a very young age. We learn that if we want to watch television after school, we must first finish our homework. We learn to suffer through the problems life brings with the knowledge of future gratification. It is when the discipline of delaying gratification is used that a standard for the discriminate mind is reinforced. Through experiences where we choose to delay gratification, we learn that the standard we use for priorities is trustworthy. We learn that a standard outside our own natural desires will produce the most practical way of living, and will ultimately fulfill our very real emotional desires. This is a truth that permeates the Bible.
If we allow our feelings to guide us, rather than steadfast truth, we will also be lead to passivity. Instead of actively choosing what is right, we will passively choose to do nothing in hopes that things will ‘just work out.’ In reality, the longer problems are ignored the bigger, more complex, and more painful they become. The discriminate person, who has established standards by which he makes choices, will not allow passivity. He understands that his choices, passive or active, will affect his life as well as the lives around him. A person ruled by the feeling of the moment may very well be moved to action when presented with choices. When pressed, he may even know the right thing to do. He will only act, however, when his feelings allow him to. A person controlled by feelings is susceptible to constant changes of mind; ultimately he is driven solely by his own self-interest. He will choose to act on whims of the moment if it pleases him, or simply ignore problems until, in theory, they take care of themselves. Conversely, the discriminate person, though aware of his desire to avoid pain, keeps his standard of truth as his driving force towards what will be the best possible outcome.
The discriminate person, then, is enlightened to the human condition. He understands that when man is motivated by his own desires, he might want to do good when it suits him; but more assuredly he will choose to protect his own self--interest above all. This results in the avoidance of any pain, by way of ignoring the problems of the moment in pursuit of the gratification of the moment. This way of living can lead to any number of psychological and behavioral neuroses, including addiction. What then is the discriminating person to trust as the absolute standard of truth? He knows he cannot trust himself. Can he trust others? Certainly intimate relationships are imperative to our well being; namely the relationships with people wiser and more reliable than ourselves. A discriminate person, however, understands that we are all susceptible to the pull of our feelings and desires, even the people we respect and trust. We are then lead to find a standard of truth outside of man; but originating from a living rational being, for what can be learned or instilled by an inanimate object?
This is a difficult question with no easy answer. It is a question that has been pondered by mankind throughout the ages. Nevertheless, the logical, discriminate deduction for our need of a standard to guide our emotion--filled life overwhelmingly points to the need for God. The God of the Bible provides the steadfast, logical, discriminate guidance to the problems and choices we are faced with. Though often controversial and ridiculed, the God of the Bible delivers the absolutes we need to govern our lives.
How often do we see people that run their lives in this way-- who have the kind of discrimination that leads them to always choose right over wrong? Not very often. Most often we see people that claim that this is the right way to live and yet live their lives very differently. Most people agree that there is a right way to act and a wrong way to act, regardless of why they think it is right or wrong. We believe for a man to intentionally step on another man’s foot is unkind. We believe we should follow the laws of the land we are in. Most people believe acts of prejudiced discrimination, or bigotry on any level is harmful and wrong. This is the general consensus. So why do people still do bad things? If we generally agree on a correct way to behave, why does so much evil still happen? It is because in our hearts we believe ourselves to be better or more important than anyone else. It is because we make choices that benefit our own gratification. If this were not true, if we were all looking out for the interests of others, why would we ever fear someone hurting us? Wouldn’t harm be unnecessary? Everyone would be looking out for our needs as well and we would never be in the position of being taken advantage of. No one would ever have to take anything from anyone else because all their needs would be taken care of. Ultimately we make ourselves our own highest morality by placing ourselves as the highest authority on our lives. We discriminate between what will please ourselves and what will be detrimental to our time, our bank account, our comfort, etc.
So what is the solution to this history--long battle of self--idolatry versus the discriminate life laid out in the Bible? There is the solution the world gives, and the solution the Bible gives. Donald Miller, a teacher and speaker, shares his journey to revelation of the truth of our nature. He explains the world’s view that if we simply try hard enough we will earn our status as “good” people. Miller intimates, “I figured I could just make myself do good things, and think good thoughts about other people, but that was no easier than waking up to a complete stranger and falling in love with them.” We will inevitably fail if we rely solely on our discipline to make us good.
Another common charge the world gives comes to us in a well--known song. The Beatles “All You Need Is Love,” tells us that it’s that easy. If we could just love everyone then all the bigotry and hurt in the world would be resolved. Many Rights Activists would tend to agree with this; and it does seem to be a convincing solution. However, this simplistic charge provides no method of obtaining this goal. Caleb Campbell, a pastor, illuminates in one of his Sunday Night sermons, “The reason Anti-Bigotry won’t create harmony is because you end up loving everyone except the bigots.” Our love, while hugely effective on the lives around us, is too often ambiguous and too imperfect to claim it as the solution.
Campbell reasons that if purely thinking yourself better than other people is bigotry, then we are all susceptible to being bigots. That doesn’t mean we are all acting out hate crimes; it simply means we are fundamentally prone to bigotry. Because of this, in order to change, in order to be the solution to the hate and hurt in our world, we must be fundamentally changed. Who we are at the core of our being must be altered in such a dramatic way that we are capable of doing things unconsciously that we otherwise may never have been able to do, try as hard as we might. The Bible promises to give us this life--altering power. The Bible lays out the example for us to follow to live outside of our own natural desires, to change our hearts and minds to recognize right and wrong, and to crave only what is good and right. The Bible does not say that if we follow certain steps then we will always be happy, or that we will never mess up. In fact, it promises that while we are on earth we will experience pain and we will fall short of perfect. We will still have selfish desires; we will still tend to choose to meet our own needs over other’s needs. It does promise, however, that regardless of our hang-ups, the truth of the Bible will change our hearts more and more to the likeness of the perfect God, and to how we were created to be.
Our minds are a beautiful gift. We are capable of learning and growing; we are capable of communicating and understanding intent even above surface actions; and we are capable of enlightenment to great purpose. We should always strive to gain understanding of who we are and how this world works. Discrimination must be used to delineate between the truth and the absurd; and we must be careful with what we leave ourselves open to. However, if we have a standard of truth to filter our thoughts and experiences we will be able to remain firmly grounded even when faced with trying or confusing situations. To effectively use our ability to discriminate, the standard of truth we use must be founded on its absolute stability and clarity. The truths found in the Bible have remained and give an absolute guideline to follow on how to live our lives in harmony with our fellow man for the short duration of our time on this earth.
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