Multitasking

When was the last time you actually slowed down? There is a metaphor in the book Fahrenheit 451 that we do not take enough time to just STOP and look at things. Seriously. Our lives have become one big multitask. I cannot use a computer without also listening to music, and having at least ten different windows open to flip between while accomplishing a myriad tasks (or so it seems). Every day when I wake up, I must compulsively check both my main email accounts and Facebook, even though I know there will most likely only be something of idle curiosity's interest awaiting me once I log in (and a daily helping of completely uncalled for spam). Many mornings I also feel the need to straighten out my God-given wavy hair into something society deems to be prettier. And yet again - while I wait for the straightener to heat up, I feel as though I'm wasting time just standing there, waiting to start doing something else.

So what is the point to all of this? Today's worries are enough for today. Tomorrow will worry about itself. We're a society of constantly thinking and planning ahead, scheduling our days down to the last iota of time. And it seems that no matter where you are on the scale of life's activities, your plate always seems too full. People are constantly vying for your time (most often to only try and make a buck off of you), and schedules are unyielding to the human stresses of a digital age.

We multitask enough. But I honestly don't think we were meant to. Let God do the multitasking. Seriously. He's good at it. He didn't intend for our lives to be one chaotic mess of a day after another. He created us for His glory, and I highly doubt it involves scheduling yourself to where you can't even spend time with God.

God is the convergence, the mediator, and to put it in Newsboys terms, the lover of our souls. He should be at the center of everything we do.

So stop. Turn off the TV, the music, the computer, even the lights; the crazed life society wants you to have. Then go outside and enjoy the beautiful earth He gave us - and know that God is. I think you'll be able to hear Him a lot better.

A Life More Fantastical Than Fiction Itself

So often I become enamored with the alternate universes of literature. The prose sucks me into the pages, coming to life with such sci-fi gadgetry goodness, and the epic tales of unexpected heros, both male and female, overcoming their greatest fears and foes, and saving the day with a grand finale flourish at the end. I cannot help but become enthralled with, and wish at times that I were living in those alternate universes. This has happened to me not only with Star Wars (my original favorite), but also Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and most recently, a series known as “The Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld.

Why is it that we so long to join these alternate universes, but then when we look at our own lives, all we see is the din of work and/or school, with seemingly no end in sight? We go through the same monotonous routines day in and day out, with nothing but the books to keep us occupied with a world we truly wish we lived in.

I've come to yet another conclusion though: Our world seems boring at face value to many, but I have recently decided that I would rather have a God that saves, than all the real lightsaber duels and hoverboarding adventures to last me a lifetime. We look at our lives as seemingly boring. But explain to me the boredom and every-day of having a Creator that loves us, and who sent His Son to die for us. Explain to me the boredom of being able to talk, one-on-one, to the creator of the universe, 24/7, like a child could talk to his or her mom or dad. Explain to me the boredom of being able to talk, also 24/7 , to a friend who is also my Savior, and who knows me better than I even know myself. Explain to me the boredom of this friend dying, but then being raised from the dead! Explain to me the boredom of eventually dying myself, but then also being raised from the dead! We dumb God down to human likeness. Granted, Jesus was the human likeness, but even Him we tend to twist and contort to fit our own wants.

The point is this: Our human minds can create fantastical universes that may sound far more appealing than our own at times. But the truth is, our own universe is so incredibly fantastical in its own right - because we have a God who loves and redeems - and has power over life AND death. And if you'll so remember, not even old Obi-Wan Kenobi could come back from the dead. We only ever saw his ghost after his death.

God is not a story. He and his Son are REAL. And they are so very very very alive. Ten thousand years ago Jesus is, today Jesus is, and ten thousand years to come, Jesus is. Even after we are not - He still is. Let Him come into your life, and the great I AM will show you a life truly fantastical, beyond anything even the greatest fictional world could show you.

The Apology of Apologies

I should like to apologize.

I'm sorry I'm not a better example of being a Christian. I truly, truly am. I put myself up too much, and I put you down too much more. My fellow Christians also do the same thing. What have you heard of us? I don't know where your life experiences have left your impression of me, a Christian. I don't know what sorts of crude, unruly (yet sadly, quite possibly true) stories you've heard of us.

I'm sorry I haven't been supportive and understanding enough. I'm sorry I haven't been as much of a pragmatist for the good, moral, just things as I should be. I'm no person of action. I've never worked great miracles, or spoken words someone got something out of. Maybe I have - but I don't know. Only they do, only God does.

I'm sorry for being the arrogant hypocrite I am - looking down at you as though you were less than me. We're both human beings, and for that, I should not inflate my pride, but rather my humility. You may have so many more valuable insights to life than I'll ever know, or even hope to know. I wouldn't consider my life as having been hard thus far, but that doesn't mean everyone's isn't. I'm sorry I haven't helped you more in your own struggles, helped you remove the burden - even a little.

I'm sorry I don't portray my God in the light only He can create. But then - only He can create it. Therefore no human could recreate it so perfectly - because we are human. We're tainted. Thus our witness to you of God is also tainted. How can I witness to you without offending you? I can tell you His laws until we're both blue in the face, but it won't get either of us anywhere. I guess I've known this, I just haven't realized or accepted it until now.

Can I create a relationship with you? Can I introduce my God to you with the best of my ability? I would love for you to know Him. I truly, truly would. His love is for everyone, not just my friends and family.

Christians have tried to spit his laws at you. And for that, I do apologize. I'm one of them - just another hypocrite. I want to try something different though. Can I show you His love first? Please? I would love the chance. He would too.