We Change, World Stays the Same

Sometimes I think that the craftiest work of the devil is the subtlest; encouraging societies to immerse themselves in news, warnings, pop culture and "trivial activities" such as Twittering. (I am twittering, by the way, but have only "tweeted" once.) The trick in all of these is moderation, and the human animal is really, really prone towards the other direction, and the devil knows this. We stare for hours at a computer screen instead of getting up and helping around the house, we're on our LinkedIn account seeing if anyone has "checked us out" instead of playing with the dog or making that call we've been putting off. The activites feel important, and that is the subtle devilishness; we are inactive and living in the life of the mind and ego instead of out in the real world God gave us. I think that the Lord will always think that a living tree of His design, and the contemplation of what it tells us about Him, is more important than our Facebook account or Youtube downloads.

News pours into our brains, and infiltrates our sleep, our conversations, and our comfort level. Is another terrorist attack around the corner? What will happen enxt in Afghanistan? Is the Dow up or down? Is the rest of the week going to be rainy? In moderation, these questions are pertinent and worthy of consideration and prayer. Immersion in one or all causes spiritual stress, and also, interestingly, dilutes them.

Thank Heavens that no matter how people change, (and we ARE changing, have no doubt), God and His creations stay constant. Mountain ranges of His design still sit, silent and austere, frosted with clouds, also of His perfect, artistic design. Puppies still love to play, trees still bear delicious fruit, and rain still smells clean and full of natural promise. A spontaneous human smile, and that which caused it, are both God's miracles, presented in real time. Our failure to notice them or need them does nothing to alter them; we are nowhere near that powerful, and they are still beautiful in their scope and constancy.

So...how are you spending the bulk of your day, day in and day out? Are you more likely to meet God, whom you say you crave, in front of that computer screen, or going outside and soaking it all in, through the things He has laid out like a living carpet in front of you?

Days are numbered. Spend them well.

Politics and Faith, Faith and Politics

Supposedly taboo at any interesting dinner party are two topics: politics and faith. Today, these two "dangerous when combined" topics seem to be wound around each other tightly, as Christians find themselves again and again being put in the position of fighting for their faith. I believe I first felt it when "Merry Christmas" was watered down to "Happy Holidays," and when I realized just how many faiths were being celebrated in December besides Christ's birth and the Jewish holidays - there is no feeling as bland as children singing "holiday" songs.

Yesterday, Christian Children's Fund announced that they are changing their name to a more generic name, dropping the Christan. I felt like I felt when the President spoke in front of black bunting recently; the bunting covered Christian wording on an old building on an American university campus. Anyway, how I felt was hollow; if we keep asking God to butt out of our society, we should be careful; he just might. We are in danger of being painted, by carefully orchestrated brushes, as either a dangerous fringe cult or a "cute" religious group - even though Christ is followed by millions around the world. Our numbers are not talking.

Apathy, leave us! God move the fog that restricts our speaking out for you, after all you have done for us. We are weak and think too much; please - make us stronger. Is there anything more important than You??