Good evening! My blog tonight is again by my college friend, Frank Myer! Frank, a prolific writer, pens a weekly devotional that is excellent! Keep me in your prayers as, Lord willing, I am in Vietnam!
Good Morning Dear Friends,
Today’s electronic encouragement covers two topics. The two topics are tied together, but the one I think is more important isn’t the most visible. It’s a few layers down from the visible.
Here we go.
I enjoy reading the BBC New website. It makes me feel smarter when I read the stories posted and on a good day, I read with a British Accent.
A headline caught my attention: Demi Lovato states she’s non-binary.
I had no idea who Demi Lovato is and the only binary I knew about was from computer programming class days. Binary code is made up of 0’s and 1’s and that’s it. Base 2 for math nerds.
It turns out, and this may not be new news to some of my readers, the non-binary person has decided they are neither male nor female. They prefer to be addressed at they or them.
Now, I’ll have to go back and check my science books and English books – but I’m pretty sure a chromosome has something to do with the He or She part – and the They or Them is plural – how can one person be plural?
Hold that thought just a moment.
The article was a pleasant read revealing the struggle Demi had over the years. By the way, Demi’s first professional gig was with Barney the Purple Dinosaur. Then she went on to work with Disney and later added a singing career. Thank you, Google.
One line triggered the thoughts of this week’s epistle.
Demi wishes everyone success as they find their truth. In fact, the line reads.
"Please keep living in your truths and know I am sending so much love your way."
Living your truth. That’s the beast existing beneath the surface. Somehow people have become convinced they have the ability to decide what’s true.
In Demi’s case she has decided she’s no longer a she and wants to be a them, or they.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a couple of conversations about how does one land on truth? In particular, talking about God’s existence. As I was replaying a conversation from a few months earlier to a friend – his response was – Do you want people to know you’re right?
What?
Talk about missing the point – but we stayed on the point for some time.
It’s not whether I’m right or not, it’s what is or is not.
When it comes to God, He is either there or not there. If somehow, I have an amazing FB campaign and get everyone in the world to believe in God, but He really doesn’t exist, then He’s not there. It doesn’t matter what I say.
On the flip side, if I, or someone, can convince the world God doesn’t exist – and in fact, He does – the fact no one believes in him doesn’t make Him go away.
We, as in editorial we – which apparently is not a part of the non-binary group’s code – have somehow encouraged ourselves into a corner of thinking our opinions are so important and powerful, whatever we decide becomes true.
Sidebar: If I run into a They/Them kind of person, I’m going to ask them if they are ever, we?
Random fact: Do you know California now has something like 150 legal descriptions of pronouns – conjugate those verbs why don’t you? Ha.
Back to the point.
I’m the first to admit truth is a tricky deal. There are different types of truths.
What’s better vanilla or strawberry shakes? In my world the truth is strawberry.
Another kind of truth changes – Pluto is or is not a planet depending what year you read the science books.
Does this dress look pretty? That’s a whole other ball of wax – and if the question is Does this dress, or pair of pants make me look fat? Run.
But there are truths – truths that are constant – Water boils at a certain temperature, or freezes. Getting hit with a water balloon hurts if you’re outside in Alaska in the month of January.
A couple of years ago I was in one of these discussions – the comment was given to me – “God exists for you, others may have different opinions.”
I said, ‘Lets go to the top of a tall building. I believe in gravity. For whatever reason, the other person doesn’t. What happens to them if they step off the roof?”
The only response was to ask for more queso.
I said something they didn’t want to hear, and the response was to ignore the comment.
Let’s be clear. This is not about me wanting to be right. This is about me wanting people to know the truth.
People have made it about one side against another – and the best thing to do is everyone is sort of right and we want everyone to find their truth. Not THE truth, but their truth. That leads to disaster.
James 1 tells us if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God for it.
The irony is how someone going to pray to a God they don’t believe in? I’ve heard this prayer from folks who have told me about their path of faith. They said when they first started, they would pray, “God, I don’t even know if you are out there. If you are, please help me find my way.”
What a perfect prayer for that point in time of their journey.
Find the truth. And to those of you who think you already know – take a hint and double check.
Read your Bible – it’s on your phone. Google – the book of Mark – and get started.
Please let me circle back around to the first part – Demi and other’s who claim to be non-binary. Let’s face it, it’s easy to make jokes, or worse say hateful things to people taking that position.
Maybe it’s me, but I don’t see Jesus making fun of them? I believe he knows about the struggle they are facing as they wrestle with who they are. Let’s face it, while we may not have issues with whether we’re a boy or a girl, I know without a doubt there are other self-value issues you wrestle with.
In all, be kind.
Talk about a verse that mentions identity – Hebrews 3:13 tells us as long as it’s called today encourage one another.
Is today called today? Then encourage someone.
Want a little more? John 13 – Jesus tells his group – the world will know you are my disciples by your love.
Here’s a big surprise to some church-folk – calling people ugly names isn’t what Jesus had in mind.
Be a bright light and not a dim-wit. Search for the truth and be willing the share the truth in a loving manner.
Enjoy the ride,
Frank Myer
P.S. – God created this world. He wants a loving relationship with man. That’s why He sent his son, Jesus to earth.
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
No comments:
Post a Comment