Brett's Discernment

Today I was talking with a friend and the topic of suburbia came up. I responded vehemently that I hate suburbia.
I do.
but unfortunately as I say and mean, there is hypocrisy imbued within.
So it made me really think - what do I dislike about suburbia??

• the degredation and denial of the natural God-given environment. . .
  
• the culture of conformity in the suburbs that becomes our identity to a large extent
• the consumerism associated heavily with the suburbs.
• the suburbs increase our demand for instant gratification and ease at any cost
  

Where I live, I have a 10 minute drive to work. I live in an apartment in the suburbs. Had I been more resourceful and less lazy, I would've liked to live a little further out into the country. But as a young working person not knowing a lot about the area you work in and also having a limited budget, it is hard.

I have never lived in a neighborhood, and I never have an interest to. I think my parents raised me with a respect for the environment, for being dirty, playing in the strawberry plants, picking corn, imagining forts made of the hollow-insided-holly trees . . . Walking sidewalks and manicured lawns lined up in rows was never a part of my early perception. I'm a person who with most things thinks the natural way that God set it is the best. The suburbs alter landscapes, ruin ecosystems, etc.
In my 10 minute drive to work, I drive about 3 miles. In this three miles of suburban sprawl there are FIVE SUBWAYS!!!!!! FIVE!!! This is a good example of the ridiculous consumerism of American suburbia. It makes me sick. it makes me sicker to use take advantage of the ease of these businesses because of my own laziness.
Between 4-5 each afternoon I like to watch GlobeTrekker, which I originally got hooked on on PBS. Because I love PBS. Today they were travelling to Georgia and Armenia, and it was really interesting. Georgia is one of the poorest countries in the European & Asian worlds . . . yet the people are proud of the hospitality that they can give and honest, strong people who live well with the natural world around them. It made me really want to look up whether there are Lutheran World Missions in that part of the world. Also, Georgia is a Christian country in a region surrounded by Islam. So that is something that I'm thinking about. Maybe a middler year abroad?? Maybe? If I'm still single, maybe a first call or missions call somewhere like that?


I am too tired to think or look up some bible verses or read this that relate to this consumption, but it all relates back to us being good stewards. Well, I guess this relates, a passage that I know well:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ^F122 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ^F123 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you�you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his ^F124 kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


God's greatest gift through grace (purposefully alliterative) is the kingdom, the creation. . . we are so lucky. Being a good steward is really important to me. Community is important, and I don't think we should be hermits that live out in the woods, but the conformity of communal culture in suburbia is not very attractive for me.

I can't think of anything too witty to end this so. . . in conclusion . . . the word of the day is . . . LISSOM . . . discuss.