A Positive View

I went to my friend’s CD release party tonight, and as he was sharing the background of the CD’s title, it helped me gel some of my thoughts of late. The band is Asherstreets, and their CD is called “Dandellium”. (check them out at www.asherstreets.com). Anyway, the background behind the title, is the question, “what are you spreading in life?”

I have to admit I am kind of a half glass empty kind of guy. I know I have always had a critical voice, and as of late I have wondered if all my criticism is helpful in the world. I think we need to take a critical look at ourselves and our culture, but to what extent? I fear I might be spreading poison with my critical voice. Ultimately I just want to be someone who loves people, and loves God. I am amazed by my people like my wife, who are always filled with joy and love.

While things are not perfect, I do not think they are as bad as I tend to make them. Ideals are good, but they are also dangerous. For an ideal is not necessarily to be achieved, but more the mark that we strive for. There is always room for growth and improvement.

As evangelicals, we tend to view the world in a negative light. We take a particular harsh view towards humanity, unless of course someone is a fellow evangelical. Except even God does not take a harsh view towards humanity. We tend to take the view that there is nothing redeemable about a person, unless they have Christ. However, God looks at us, and does see something redeemable. That is why he redeems us. He saw the worth we have, and with joy took on shame to reconcile us to Him. The Bible does present both sides, in that our wickedness makes us totally unworthy of Him; this is not a contradiction though. While as wicked sinners we are unworthy of a perfect being such as God. However, He still sees something worth dying for in us.

God has a positive view towards our situation, and has bought the opportunity to reform us with His own blood. We too need to see the good that shines bright amongst the darkness. I am praying for a change of heart, a step away from cynicism and taking a step towards nourishment and encouragement.

I think criticism is too often born out of a spirit of having to be right. I am not saying we should stop looking at things through a critical eye, but not at the expense of the goodness. We need to question, we need to think. However, I do not want to be remembered as someone who was always right. I want to be remembered as someone who loved God, and loved people. I want to spread hope and love, and the message of redemption.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.” (NIV)

Ideals and Dreams

“We’ve got to follow through on our ideals, or we betray something at the heart of who we are. Outside these gates, and even within them, the culture of idealism is under siege beset by materialism and narcissism and all the other ‘isms’ of indifference”

- Bono, Harvard Graduation Speech, June of 2001


I am and idealist and I am a dreamer, and I am proud of it. I am also tired of the look of pity and scorn I receive from my elders and my peers when they realize my ideals. Why is it that we feel the need to stomp on those who dream of a better world, and who fight their own desires of indifference and security? However, I do not wish this to be an attack on them. This is a proclamation to keep dreaming.

I am sick of being told I will change to pragmatism (as even I am not pragmatic already), that I won’t think the same when I’m are older. The truth be told, I never want to give up my ideals, my deepest convictions, that define me more than anything else. I don’t want the things I believe in to erode away by the pressures of this life (Mark 4:19). I love my dream, and I will fight and rebel against myself, and any others who try to rob me of it.

I fight against myself. I see the temptation to run into the suburbs with a nice house and a nice yard. Where my kids are so over-programmed we all go nuts trying preserve hectic schedules. It makes sense, we all want security. We look out for ourselves. We find security in bigger houses, and cover up the ideals we’ve compromised for bigger TVs and bigger cars. We sell our souls to the advertisers of America, who replace our ideals with products. We then replace relationships with programs. And the whole time no one finds the guts to stand up against it. It’s terrifying, but it must be done.

So, what are my ideals? They are not original, and they are not even mine. I believe that the Kingdom of God is here, ushered in by the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago. I believe in a world where people look not just to their own interests, but also the interests of others (Phil 2:4). I believe in a world where the hungry are fed, where the thirsty are given a cup of water, where the naked are clothed (Matt 25:44). I believe in a world where the abandoned members of society are taken care of (James 1:27). I believe in a world where justice is served. I believe in a world where humility is a virtue and pride is a sin (Mark 9:33-36). I believe in redemption, forgiveness, and grace. I believe in a world that is held together by a common love for our marker and each other (Mark 12:29-31). I believe we can live in this reality today if we so chose.

Will I see these ideals fully lived out in this lifetime? Most likely not…but I cannot stop believing, and I will not stop trying.

So to my fellow dreamers, keep on dreaming