Skip to main content

Raised Fist or Extended Hand?





Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.(Colossians 3:12)
          Once upon a time, Frank Sinatra's "I Did It My Way" was the anthem of the age. It seems to me that Katy Perry's "Roar" fills that role today. The chorus begins, "I've got the eye of the tiger," which was a song by Survivor from 1982. A couple phrases later she sings, "'Cause I am the champion," which brings to mind Queen's song from 1977, "We Are  The Champions." Next, she announces that "you're gonna hear me roar," which harkens back to Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar," from 1975. The video (if I remember correctly) includes swinging on a vine, a la Tarzan.
          Many people have disliked Mr. Sinatra's song because of its arrogance, but within the song, he admits he's made mistakes and takes at least some responsibility for them. Ms Perry's song, on the other hand, is all about how she has been a victim, but now she's going to show you what she's made of, which seems to be songs and images of previous generations. All of them are great ego-boosting songs, seeming war-cries of the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs: self-actualization.
          The thing that strikes me about these songs is their malevolence. There is no suggestion of proving what a good person the singer is. These are "take no prisoners" songs that seem individualistic except for the fact that they are mass marketed to everyone. In effect, they are "power to the people" songs calling all the "oppressed" people - generally teens and young adults - to rise up aggressively, even violently against those who "victimize" them, even through accidental "micro-aggressions. After all, self-actualization is a need (and therefore a right!) They cannot live unless they are seen to be the gods they believe themselves to be.
           For the Christian, Scripture has a different description. Our goal is not our own glory, but God's. Instead of dressing for success, we're to clothe ourselves for service as described in today's passage. Instead of raised fists, we are to stretch out a hand. Self is not the epitome, it is more often the enemy. Our anthems should be about the Lion of Judah, not attempts to lionize ourselves like the witch of Narnian fame. We are to dress the part of His children, but His children start with the heart.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Birthday of
G.K. Chesterton A few quotes
John F. Kennedy
Patrick Henry

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more