Seeking Significance

Today I had an odd thought strike me while listening to a once-popular song from the 80s by Foreigner. It is often referred to as a power ballad and usually associated with romance. While I'll arge that a love of the so-called love songs are often really not, I do believe that it was intended to be one in this case. After the thought occurred to me, I did some quick research and found that some uncanny words by Mick Jones about the song: “I don't know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me. I think there was something bigger than me behind it. I'd say it was probably written entirely by a higher force.”

His quote seemed almost providential to me. The reason is because as I listened to the lyrics this morning, I heard them from a differnt frame of reference. Rather than hearing the song about a man seeking love from a women to help complete him and overcome the challenges in his life, I thought of the singer as making an inquiring plea to God to give him a deeper significance in his life. The love that the lyricist wanted to know was not eros but rather agape, a love that only God can offer.

Being a Christian, I do adhere to the shared belief that the secular search for significance is actually a misguided attempt to find meaning and worth through worldly achievements and validation, but in truth, what is being sought is the engrained desire to have a relationship with God through Christ. I believe this is evident through movies like The Matrix, comicbooks like Superman and other songs, for example Meant To Live by Switchfoot. However, I had never considered this particular song to fall into the category of searching for significance. Now having this different perspective, I almost feel fatuous for never having seen it before. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the epiphany granted me today.

I Wanna Know What Love Is

I've gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older
 
And this mountain, I must climb
Feels like the world upon my shoulders
And through the clouds, I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder
 
In my life, there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've travelled so far
To change this lonely life
 
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
 
I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me
 
In my life, there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
I can't stop now, I've travelled so far
To change this lonely life
 
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
 
Let's talk about love
Love that you feel inside
I'm feeling so much love
Oh, you know, you just can't hide
 
I wanna know what love is
I know you can show me
(I wanna feel it too)
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
(show me love is real)
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

Burn Down The Mission

Flag-burning has become a hot topic again. As much as I personally dislike the idea of desecrating our national symbol, it would seem that outlawing it would violate the precepts of the freedoms on which America was founded. Let us remember this country rebelled against a tyranny based on the idea that citizens have the right to disagree with their government and express these grievances without fear of retaliation from the government. Further, personal property rights are a major philosophical concept in America freedom. Therefore, if the flag is my own personal property and I burn it in representation of my grievances, then the basis of American freedom is in line with action.

The Anti-social Contract

What exactly is a human right? I've heard many people argue that this is a right or that is a right. In the last decade, probably healthcare as a right has been a fairly common discussion. But is it? Is marriage a right? Is clean water and food a human right? Right to work? Guns?

Dear Millennial Rebels

Today, while you march the streets "protesting" the results of the election, my nine-year-old daughter endured nine hours in the operating room. Tonight, while you destroyed American symbols and burned effigies of the President Elect, my daughter laid in an ICU bed, intubated and left on a breathing machine. While you gather angrily in masses online to hashtag for violence and death, the numbers of the arterial line in my daughter's arm fluctuate outside the exceptionable medical standards. You are heated over the democratic process that has served our country for nearly two-and-a-half centuries. Well, let me tell you, I'm indignant as well -- at you, at your lack of empathy and at your hypocrisy!
 

The Gravity of God

Today I was reminded of one of my beliefs. Christians, Jews and Theists in general not only believe in the existence of God, but also believe this Supreme Being has a constant set of characteristic and attributes. He is what defines morality, goodness, and truth. Such things are universal and do not change.
 

This almost instantly reminded me of the laws of physics. Specifically, I thought of gravity. Do we ever fear suddenly floating off the ground, that something thrown won't come down or that the Moon will crash into the Earth because gravity changes its mind? Of course not. Most would say those notions are silly. Why? Because gravity is real and constant.
 

Limitations of Rights

In recent news, a very common phrase I have heard is "the limitation of a right." It has caused me to pause and consider our rights under the Constitution and how those may and must be limited for different circumstances. But further, I have also considered what is the proper response of our legal system when those limitations are violated and the power from one's rights is used improperly.

A Remembrance of the Important

This weekend we became suspicious that our daughter Kara had aspirated and might have developed pneumonia from it. Before dawn, Kara cried out screaming from her bedroom. When we arrived, she had vomited significantly. We tended to her, cleaned her up, laid her back down on her side and let her rest. She slept soundly for the next several hours. In fact so soundly that she had to be awakened two hours after her normal rising time.

Do You Believe?

How do we know whether someone is a Christian or not? It is an interesting question posed to me recently -- not in the way of examining others for their hypocrisy but rahter for me to examine my own.
 

Out of Context

A commonly quoted passage from the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11 which reads (in part) "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We often read this to be encouraged. We tell ourselves God is working things out for me behind the scenes and I'll get that prosperity soon.
 

But we must be careful to read the whole chapter. It is true that God is working behind the scenes for our good, but we have a tendency to believe our idea of what's good and God's idea are the same thing. We also often fail to agree about timing.
 

Everything Requires Faith

I had a short online debate the other day with an atheist, something I have learned to try to avoid. It's not that I am afraid of debate, but the forum of typing my point, the other typing his and trying to trap one another in semantics and other childish debate techniques is not only faulty in its appeal but also lacks the intimacy and respect that a discussion of philosophical difference requires.
 

I think it is actually healthy to challenge others beliefs...and probably something not done enough in our current culture. There is much of a "fall in line" and "keep up with the times" thinking, stronger even that existed when I grew up, where no one thinks about there answers and so much of ANY belief relies on popularism and blind-acceptance of what others say that almost no one has faith anymore.
 

Parable of Economy

There was an ancient civilization where there was a great store house for food. In the agrarian society, people agreed to bring their grain and store it in this common warehouse. To provide proof of a family's portion, metal-bound certificate was stamped with a denomination denoted the amount of food deposited and given to the head of the household. These metal tokens were used to withdraw grain from the community warehouse during the non-harvesting seasons.
 

Some Recent Inspiration

I haven't written much lately. The obvious excuse is that over the past two years, I've been raising a new set of twin boys, while still raising the two girls I already had. Combined with work, my marriage and some health issues that hit our family, there has been a lot to occupy my time. But the truth runs a bit deeper.
 

A Case For Druids

There has been a lot of action and reaction from the US Supreme Court ruling ordaining same-sex marriage. Some states, mine included, have chosen preemptive legislation to protect ministers from being forced to perform ceremonies that do not align with the creed of their church. While I support this move, I do find it sad we have reached a point of political defensiveness that it has become necessary.
 

The Riteful Owner

There sure have been a lot of polarized issues lately. Today, the US Supreme Court ruled that Same-Sex Marriages are a Civil Right and must be permitted in every State. Obviously, social media lit up with opinions -- and surprise, surprise, not very many people played nice.
 

Where To Draw The Line

Yesterday, I posted a piece about flying the Confederate Battle Flag, where I mostly supported its removal but tempered that with the decision should be made by local governments rather than a national reaction. After I posted, I saw that Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans, and other notable figures were calling for the removal of ALL Confederate Monuments and Symbols and claimed such have no value in a public space. When reading this, I honestly felt like reversing my stance from what I posted. I didn't and haven't.
 

But if I were suddenly empowered as Tyrant, I would tell one side, "Take down the flag and get over it;" and to the other side, "There, no more. Sit down and shut up!" It's probably a good thing I'm not in politics.
 

The Meat of the Confederate Battle Flag

We have all received interesting lessons in history this week. Blogs, Facebook posts and media sources have all explained the meaning of the Confederate Battle Flag. Likewise, we have learned that Belgium and the European Union are actually Confederations. We've been told to be offended and what to hate - as well as our feelings about "hate symbols" are ignorant and historically inaccurate. Through all of this, the professional protester career continues to be a thriving one. Whoever told those college Philosophy majors there were not corporate jobs for them did not understand modern media.

I have thought a lot about where I stand on the #TakeDownTheFlag issue, fuming in South Carolina right now. First, it is not my State - so I'm not sure how valid my opinion even should be. That said, I've taken a look at it because it is so heated right now. But more importantly, I have come to wonder why the Confederate Battle Flag became both a symbol of hate and a symbol that is hated. Either way, it is difficult to deny there is a lot of hatred surrounding it.

New Board Game

I thought about the game Monopoly^TM this morning. This is a fun and methodical game that teaches the values of competition. And as I discuss it, let's remember it is only a game -- so please don't interpret that I am calling for a boycott on Hasbro or anything. I will still play it with my family (when we have a spare 10 hours).

I'm Still Standing

Yesterday I shared my personal thoughts in a Facebook post. It created a bit of a minor stir. Everyone shared politely, but tense emotion about the topic could be felt through discussion.

Lessons Learned By Fire

Pain is an indication that something is not correct. But unfortunately, we live in a broken, corrupt and imperfect world – so there are many things which simply are not right all the time, which in turn, causes pain.

Archive: Pray For Drought

A new series at church today (entitled "Pain Management") reminded me of this post from a few years back. I thought it was apropos - so, I've decided to reprint it. The series at church is aligned to this story and oddly it recounts the pain some of the members at church have suffered. We hate and often avoid pain, but oddly it sometimes serves an important purpose.

---

Last Sunday my pastor told an interesting story about a Nebraskan farmer. His request for Divine intervention for the benefit of his corn field differed from most farmers who customarily would say “pray for rain.” However, he would ask his family and friends to pray for drought before the harvest.

His young son reached an age where he understood farming well enough to be confused by his father’s words. “Why should we pray for drought, Dad? Doesn’t water make the corn grow?” he asked.

The seasoned farmer sat his son down and explained. If it rains too much and too soon, then the crops become satisfied and the roots remain shallow. Yes, the corn will grow tall, but they are not well secured to the ground. When the strong summer winds come prior to the harvest, the stalks will be easily torn from the earth and swept away, destroyed. But when there is little water, the roots naturally dig deep, seeking the life-giving water below the surface. When those storms come, the drought-suffered crops survive the blast because they cannot be ripped away so easily.

We are so much like those stalks of corn. It is in our hardships that we grow deep. We think we want all the good and satisfying things to keep us happy, but in truth these things only keep us shallow. But moreover, especially in our unstinted American lives, there is a cultural belief of entitlement and that by following the right path and connections someday we will arrive.

I am bewilderingly blessed. I have riches both material and fraternal. More than the birds of the fields, my basic needs are not even questioned, but even more – many simple desires are obtainable on a whim. My life is more comfortable than I deserve!

But yet, when some mishap of life occurs, I tailspin out of control as I am staggered that any inconvenience could have crept into my secure existence, and I rebuke any involved who should have prevented it. Is that accurate and honest enough? Oh, the childlike tantrums I catch myself throw.

The truth is – I don’t know suffering. Because of that, I am spoiled, weak and shallow. My roots are not deep enough to endure the storms. When the winds come, even the gentle breezes of difficulty, I am put under a strain.

However, today I caught a glimpse of a mighty storm in someone else’ life. Seven weeks ago, the Organizations Director of our church, his wife and his two children were struck by an eighteen-wheeler. Amazingly the children came out with no life-threatening injuries, but he was in a coma for a week and his wife in one for two weeks.

Today, as part of the Easter service, they made a triumphant public return. Still facing several more needed surgeries and who knows how much expense and pain, they expressed gratitude for the gift that God had given them in this experience. And the meaning of this gift wasn’t “just being alive.” There was a truly genuine appreciativeness for being traumatized by the wreck.

I admit I cannot fathom how he could be happy to be hurt, but he was. He also said he won’t go seeking it again – so it’s not that kind of happy. However, there were many blessings that had been revealed to him during this crisis and much that he had learned. He offered to explain more when he had healed better but did reveal one illustration.

He said that few people ever get to understand impact and significance their life has had on other people. In the routineness of life, we rarely know whether the things we do really make a difference and whether other people care about our efforts or even about us. So much is scripted civility that is hard to tell.

Yet this experience was much like attending his own funeral to see who took the time to show up. However, this “funeral” lasted seven weeks thus far. Showing up wasn’t an act of ceremony, and the volume of people who came to the family’s aid because of established relationships and because of past compassions extended from his family made him that his purpose here on this earth had not been wasted. That knowledge, that assurance – it is a gift few ever receive in this life.

Now, I have no desire to drive my vehicle into semi-truck to gain this illumination myself. Nor do I believe one should create self-afflictions to gain the character. Those crises will occur enough on their own; God told His children that already (John 16:33).

However, what I have taken from all of this is that the difficulties in my life have value. If I will stop complaining about them, if I will become peaceful in God’s providence and if I will be open to learn and listen rather than just endure or escape, then I can trust I will come through the storm and my roots will have grown a little deeper.

I will pray for drought.