May You Live in Interesting Times

There is an expression that comes to mind when I think about the days in which we find ourselves … “may you live in interesting times”. Some have attributed it to an old Chinese curse and suggest that when things are not normal or don't fall into line with tradition or custom, then your life is cursed. On the other hand, there are some who would see this as living in times when stuff gets stirred up and culture is on the brink of incredible and perhaps awesome change, where in fact we could say we are living life to the fullest. The former want us to return to simpler times when everyone fell into prescribed patterns and associations, while the latter want to see new patterns emerge and old associations fall into obscurity. Think about the “stuff” that has permeated our lives these last few months...

The determination by the courts that 2 men or 2 women could by all rights granted by the highest court in the land, get married and benefit in all the rights and privileges thereof. There goes centuries of tradition and law.

Then of course we have the Caitlyn Jenner saga which has been pushed into our lives by some of the most trashy & self-obsessed humans to ever walk the planet. Why should I care that a man, no matter how famous, wants to remove his genitalia and live as a woman? It wasn't that long ago that Renee Richards really broke that barrier when she took the same step in an era when gender identity wasn't even talked about in hushed tones or in back alleys. From the media hysteria, you would almost think that the Jenner clan was making history.

And of course, we can hardly speak of interesting stuff without considering the confederate battle flag controversy which has surfaced over these last few weeks. Does it really surprise anyone that this symbol or any symbol for that matter, might offend someone? While I really don't care about this particular symbol or a lot of other symbols for that matter, symbols have been honored or decried as evil for generations.

I am sure that our early battle flags were hated by the British when they saw them flying in the days of revolution. The swastika was a symbol to the Nazis of their superiority and racial purity. And while it is still adored by a few adherents, for most the symbol stirs up hatred on a level that is hard to describe. Then there is the Star of David adopted as a sacred symbol of the Jews in their determination to be united as one people.  Yet the flag and people it represents brings abject hatred from some, especially segments of the Muslim community.

 And of course, there is the symbol of the cross that has been adopted by followers of Christ to show reverence for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross and who Christ followers believe died in order to bring eternal life. And yet, there are tons of people who are offended every day by the very idea that the church exists.

 So what's a body to do? Well, I'm not so sure about anyone else but I've made up my mind how this stuff impacts me and how I will respond.

First, I don't worry about how those who are different from me look at me or what I believe.  I also don't worry at all about those who think differently than I do. I am by confession and practice a man who loves Jesus and who wants to see Him glorified in my life and in my living. I want to do all that I can to please Him and make Him proud of me as I become a better man, a better husband, a better father (and now grandfather) and a better citizen of the world in which I live. One of my life goals is to make the world a better place where I can . . .  and . . . when I can.

Second, I never expect a person to behave in a manner that falls in line with my faith system.  Let me put this bluntly … I don't expect the non-Christian to behave like a Christian!  Nor to I expect a child to behave like a perfectly mannered senior citizen. People who do not hold to my worldview can not be held to a standard to which they neither subscribe nor desire to live. I expect the world to behave like the world, whatever that means. It really bothers me when people get so vexed over the perceived bad behavior of people who simply live by a different set of rules. It's a lot like a dove expecting a scorpion to behave like a dove and then getting upset when it just doesn't do it.

Third, I have always believed that when any side in an argument lowers itself to name-calling for some effect or control, they have lost the battle and perhaps even the war. Until we can change the hearts of people, they will continue to live in a way that may, very well be destructive. Last I heard, people have every right to be destroy themselves. We have a saying around my office, “if only we could make people do what was in their best interests”.

None of this means that I don't care. In fact, the truth is just the opposite. I care deeply that our country seems to be headed down a very ugly road. We have lowered the standards of morality to the place where not only does anything go, but we promote some of the ugliest stuff possible 24 hours a day on TV, radio and in magazines and newspapers. We are losing a war on freedom of expression and freedom to offend.  Yet it is not the government that strips us of those freedoms, but rather political correctness run a muck. We have grown to the place where a small minority are willing to do just about anything to control my thoughts rather than just my behavior. In my mind, this is perhaps the greatest sadness of all. How else do you explain that we now have laws that govern “hate” crimes.

Please don't paint me with the brush of not caring. Rather hear me as the voice of a radical who calls everyone to a higher life of caring and love. If a brother offends you, go and make it right with hiim before you offer your gift on the altar. Stop looking for things that offend you. Look past the junk and see the person on the other side of it as a human being and treat them as you would want to be treated. Stop getting all worked up by stuff that's out of your control. Work to make a difference in your world.  With enough effort directed at changing the hearts of enough people, change can be had without one vote being taken in congress.

Years ago I wrote an article that sadly spoke of a world running down a slippery slope of ugly in our country. I said it then and it's still true, that it becomes harder and harder to stem the tide of the destruction of so much of what we hold dear. That idea is more true today than it was then. Yet, until each one of us seeks to make the world a better place by being better humans and better believers, that will not happen. As I see it, whether curse or blessing, we do indeed live in interesting times.