Brett's Discernment

I've been really distracted this week and not really doing any schoolwork. Bad. And my latest distraction is in some ways good but in other ways not what I should be focusing on. I have so much grading to do.

I was thinking about how much the media impacts our lives as Christians. If we are to really be "fishers of men" and be prayerful and considerate of those who need it, then we need to be aware of the plights of others. Often we think as comfortable Americans that our prayers are petty . . . and sometimes they are, although like was discussed in bible study - much of our sin is over things that we think are petty, not the large murderous sins. But also, no prayer is worthless if it is communication with our Lord.
But - back to what I was trying to get at - if we are to be prayerful, we need to not be lead down deluded paths by the media. What spurs this is the overwhelming coverage on every news show and news magazine show I have seen lately about the horse Barbaro who was injured in the recent race. I used to have a horse, that I had to put to sleep, so I have plenty of sympathy for horses, but COME ON! it's a horse! Also on last night's six o'clock news on all 3 major stations was a story about a goose who had been hurt somehow. Now granted, this is local news, but still. On today, day three of Barbaro coverage, I am so angry about it! Think about how many other people could use the attention and prayers that are garnered by news coverage. I have to think of the people, I don't know where, because I'll admit that I'm uneducated, that could use my concern, prayers, and possibly resources.
I'm not saying that I or every Christian should feel obligated to be knowledgeable on every world issue of concern, but to have some healthy perspective! We need to have perspective to remember how blessed we are, but also how best to use those blessings!
I think that in so many ways our culture makes us feel . . . oh there's a word I'm looking for here . . . our culture makes us feel like we do not have any responsibility to others, and that we should instead look up to people like celebrities instead of shouldering the cross of caring for those whom we may never meet or have any similarities to. But the bottom line is that we are all connected in Christ, and I want to know more. But even as I write this, as a trigger of my cultural perspective, the deluge of excuses comes forth - I want to know more, but I'm too busy, too tired, stretched too thin.

I want a different perspective. Or one that's led more by Christ and less by what my culture dictates.

it reminds me of the scene from dead poet's society, which I once upon a time wrote an editorial about:

No grades at stake gentlemen. Just take a stroll. There it is. Left-left, left-right-left. Left-halt! Thank you gentlemen.
You notice everyone started off with their own stride, their own pace. Mr. Pitts, taking his time. He knew he'll get there one day. Mr. Cameron, you can see him thinking "Is this right? It might be right? It might be right? Maybe not. I don't know." Mr. Overstreet, driven by a deeper force, yes. We know that, alright.
Now I didn't bring them up here to ridicule them. I brought them up here to illustrate the point of conformity. The difficulty of maintaining your own beliefs in the face of others. Now those of you, I see the look in your eyes like, "I would have walked differently." Well, ask yourselves why you were clapping.
Now we all have a need for acceptance, but you must trust that your beliefs are unique, your own. Even though others may think them odd or unpopular. Even though the herd may go, "That's baaad!"
Robert Frost said, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
Now I want you to find your own walk right now. Your own way of striding, pacing. Any direction, anything you want, whether its proud, whether its silly, anything. Gentlemen, the courtyard is yours. You don't have to perform. Just make it for yourself. Mr. Dalton, will you be joining us? Exercising the right not to walk. Thank you Mr. Dalton, just to illustrate the point. Swim against the stream.

It's a very Christian, very Lutheran scene and perspective, really.

amen.