As written in my journal a while ago....
I have noticed as of late that the phrase “You are who you associate with,” holds more truth than I previously realized. Not only do I adopt every phrase and inflection that my friends use in daily conversation, I have also been influenced by their worldviews, their character, and their attitudes. My friends enjoy a good time. A good conversation. Some good music. We love to laugh. Love to be entertained. Love to meet new, interesting people. My friends do not lack authenticity, warmth, and the ability to include others. My friends do have a common flaw in complacency regarding spirituality. As a whole they (we) have become satisfied people. Satisfied with compartmentalized Christianity. Christianity that is not an ever present aspect that influences our every move, word, and breath. Instead Christianity is a small aspect that puts us into a certain subculture where we don’t have sex before marriage, try to keep drinking to a minimal, and pray before meals. Is this an existence revolutionized by a relationship with the Christ? I don’t think it is. I love my friends. I love having a “core group” of people. But I don’t want to exist that way. I want my relationship with Christ to be my most influential aspect of life, that pours into every relationship, every conversation, and every decision. I want my life to exemplify the scripture written by Paul, “To LIVE is CHRIST and to die is gain” (emphasis mine). Lord, thank you for planting a desire in me “to live is Christ.” Now I need your help living it.
31 March, 2005
11 March, 2005
Don't Be Selfish. Watch the News.
So I was recently required for one of my classes to read a short essay by George Orwell called “Shooting an Elephant,” a recollection of his experience serving as a police officer during England’s imperialistic occupation of India in the 1930’s. I was perusing the article for some time with the attitude that I just needed to read it quickly and finish the assignment so I could be rid of the burden of homework for the weekend, and go do fun things. But I was stopped in my tracks by one phrase Orwell offered up that really got me thinking...
Orwell was discussing how as a British officer attempting to keep the peace in India during the period of imperialism he observed many injustices that took place. Orwell recalled these images, "all these oppressed me with an intolerable sense of guilt.” After reading that phrase I sat and pondered the idea of “oppressive guilt” for a moment, questioning whether guilt can really be compared to the oppression of an invading foreign government. When people compare the discomfort that results from viewing injustice to the actual discomfort that results from experiencing injustice, I tend to become angry. I think it is rather selfish and narrow-minded to compare empathetic feelings to the pain that results from actually experiencing discomfort. This is why I think it is important for people to know the injustice that is occurring in the world. They should open their eyes to the uncomfortable wrongs that are being done to countless people across the globe. People should watch the news. People should watch movies that tell true stories, though they may contain violence and images that are disheartening to watch. The society that forgets the wrongs that have been done in the past is doomed to repeat them. Society should never close its eyes to injustice in the name of protecting its own conscience. That is just selfish.
Orwell was discussing how as a British officer attempting to keep the peace in India during the period of imperialism he observed many injustices that took place. Orwell recalled these images, "all these oppressed me with an intolerable sense of guilt.” After reading that phrase I sat and pondered the idea of “oppressive guilt” for a moment, questioning whether guilt can really be compared to the oppression of an invading foreign government. When people compare the discomfort that results from viewing injustice to the actual discomfort that results from experiencing injustice, I tend to become angry. I think it is rather selfish and narrow-minded to compare empathetic feelings to the pain that results from actually experiencing discomfort. This is why I think it is important for people to know the injustice that is occurring in the world. They should open their eyes to the uncomfortable wrongs that are being done to countless people across the globe. People should watch the news. People should watch movies that tell true stories, though they may contain violence and images that are disheartening to watch. The society that forgets the wrongs that have been done in the past is doomed to repeat them. Society should never close its eyes to injustice in the name of protecting its own conscience. That is just selfish.
08 March, 2005
Welcome, Welcome...
Alas I have become one of you and created my own blog. Don't worry, I will only post thoughts when they come to mind. I won't ramble on about my daily tasks or to do list...So check back here and there and hopefully you will have something entertaining or interesting to read. Until next time...
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