the non-existence of normal

I think it is entirely possible that God's purpose for some people is to always be different. To remind people that there is no such thing as normal.

I don’t think there actually is anyone who’s normal. Normal is the word we use to mean the stereotype of perfection, what people should be like, what we wish our lives looked like. Why do we have an idea that there is normal? Engrained in each of us is a sense that we’re broken, that life isn’t exactly what it ought to be even though it seems to be the same for all of us. If normal meant, as it is, then we’d all be completely normal; but when we say normal we mean we want to be different than the state everyone finds himself or herself in—we want the pain and brokenness of life to be gone. So when we want things to be normal, what we're really aching for is redemption.

The dictionary defintion is: conforming to the standard. And standard... well, that's a grade of beef immediately below good. [thank you webster]

Somehow we’ve come to believe we only matter if we can prove it, we live in shame and guilt, with hidden thoughts that whisper if we really revealed all we are, all the darkness and light of our soul to someone else—we’d be rejected, we feel that no matter how much we’re appreciated, no matter how much we’re loved- it’s not enough. We’re too much and not enough at the same time, and no one would ever love us without conditions. There’s a place inside us that’s too dark to be accepted. We relate to the wrong people in stories. We want to be the heroes, the good ones, but we’re the ones who are jealous, insecure, bitter, betrayers. Yes, we’re a generation that’s needy—but we’d be the last to admit it. Neediness has become a great sin.

Which is ironic, because you can't recieve grace without realizing you're needy. And you can't be humble without dependency on God. Thinking that are sins are too great for God to forgive or change is the sneakiness sort of pride.

But maybe the hope for our generation is the death of the American dream. We don’t believe it anymore, the dream of our parents—we don’t believe in that idea of satisfaction. So we’re wanderers, a generation of seekers, but that leaves the necessary emptiness- hope for the hopeless, the position of helplessness is the death to the self-saving mentality that blocks us from redemption— hunger is the condition of redemption.

We're not normal, and we're needy. And thats where Love introduces Himself.

mustard seeds

[A Letter to Progressive Christians in the US by Will Braun]

"What if the church focussed on everything except politics? No matter who is president or how slow the Democratic strategists are to “get it,” much else can happen: communities can organize, non-corporatized food can be grown on church lots, fossil fuels can be avoided en masse, churches can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enemies can be boldly loved, massive consumer pressure can be exerted on the bad boys of business, and Christians can be a calming, defiant presence in places of violence. Of course policy changes would help in many cases but the point is that there is more power to be discovered and shared at the bottom than grasped for at the top. That’s the paradox."

... "As nice as the resulting eye-brow-raising stories are, the halls of power can easily become a preoccupation. So I believe the church’s political engagement must start, finish and always be directly tied in with its presence on the margins, where primary energy should be exerted... Religion can go so many places politics can’t, so why are we headed to Capitol Hill? I want religion to be everything politics is not: gracious, fearless (the powerful are so paranoid), beautiful, trustworthy, healing and strong in weakness. Let’s trust the paradox."

"http://www.geezmagazine.org/article/a-letter-to-progressive-christians-in-the-usa"

thinking

Most of this was originally a letter to my dear friend Mr. Robertson but I wanted to open up the conversation to any opinions. I do qualify that with, I don't want to argue with anyone but I love a lively discussion. And feel free to only respond to a part.

In the car ride home tonight my mom and I were discussing lots of thoughts and these are some of mine... political institutions are chained to their procedures and an institution can't change a person, the person has to change first. I think one of the biggest problems in America is bad education-- the population not only needs to be challenged but taught values-- especially not selfishness.

Also, capitalism is in someways based on greed or self-ambition and I think what America needs is to find balance from its individualism... but what is an answer to capitalism that actually works, a free market with caps... the best of both words... getting over consumerism. I don't think we can put our faith in a political position but, if the people were changed and living from things like ... to risk sounding a bit communist or socialist-- the brotherhood of man-- what could that look like? The funny thing about politics nowadays is its much more like philosophy-- good ideas that can't get accomplished because democrats and republicans alike are fighting-- always fighting. (Good thing I'm Independent, huh? [teasing.])

And how do you teach tolerance and acceptance in the face of one truth... I suppose it's something like, all people are entitled to believe what they want (even if they happen to be wrong...) because it's the churches job to get out there in the streets and love like Jesus. That will reach people not a government.)

Another tanget, what would a peaceful response to the opression of Iraqi people look like (I'm not saying thats why we went to war, but as a lover of peace I am wondering what the creative answers to war are... because often sanctions hurt the people not the governments.) I think one of the loveliest things would be if culture could stay intact without nationality... so that instead of thinking of what's best for America we could just be humans. What would government look like under God? That is what I wonder. The UN can't save the world, but how much should our allegiance be to our country over the world?

What does a truly organic walk with God and total surrender and obedience to Him look like in every sphere of life-- culture, politics, education, health, etc. It's confusing and a question I'll be seeking to answer (and follow the implications of) for my whole life.

Other thoughts still, the death penalty... is that something God's given authority too through government? And in someways its more humane (although the method isn't) then having someone spend their whole life in prison (and I think prisons need major reforms as well.) Ah, there is so much I want to change (but not through politics) ... I hope to find my voice, to tell stories that disturb people into action. I really believe that is my role, to be a storyteller (among other things: an intercessor, a lover, a worshipper, an artist, a wanderer, etc.) I think the world's biggest hope is for the church to rise and sink to her knees.

I love the emerging church. I love the expressions of life and creating from hope and joy vs. the HUGE artist mentality of creation from despair... I love the emerging church, but I hate how I see the spirit of judgement and close-mindness that they hate emerging in them... they judge the traditionalist, they judge them and call them "religious" without knowing their hearts the same way the tradionalists see them as rebellious without knowing their hearts. erg. I've seen it in myself, in wanting the old to be open to the new I am often really saying, "the new way is the right way, change." instead of finding the value and worth of both... and you know, the old generation doesn't always need to change -- we both need that acceptance, tolerance, and understanding. Love. I very much want to reshape the church, but not with chronologial snobbery (which is technically a logical fallacy. haha.)

I have one last thing to throw your way... my heart is torn between America and communities of artist, and the unreached... how do we deal with that quote, "why should some hear twice when some have never heard?" I still ache to go to the Middle East someday (and to Europe and Africa too...) Maybe it's just seasons... but I feel almost like I'm settling for an easier life, even though its things I am very passionate about. There's probably no right answer, it depends on God's leading... and maybe He'll take me to the world someday.

Whitman

O' Pioneers!
O you youths, western youths,

So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,

Plain I see you, western youths, see you tramping with the foremost,

Pioneers! O pioneers!

Have the elder races halted?

Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied, over there beyond the seas?

We take up the task eternal, and the burden, and the lesson.

Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the past we leave behind;

We debouch upon a newer, mightier world, varied world,

Fresh and strong the world we sieze, world of labor and the march,

Pioneers! O pioneers!

-Walt Whitman.