Author: Wick

Maybe you’ve not heard of it, but the new TV show “Glee” is becoming mildly popular at worst, and has a cult following at best. It’s on Wednesday nights, but thanks to our friends at Hulu, I’ve been able to catch an episode. It’s a comedy/musical/show that looks at life within the fickle hierarchy of high school life, both from the student and faculty perspectives. The show shouts loudly “FREEDOM!!!” where teenagers feel imprisoned to perform their roles.

What’s humorously ironic, however, is how popular the show has become even among some actual high school students. This fact in and of itself reveals how easily we can detach ourselves from what we should be engaging in, and how consumerist even our entertainment is these days.

Example: “Teenager A” is one of the popular/unpopular kids at school. They watch Glee one night, and the show makes fun of the whole division between popular/unpopular and reveals the human worth behind both sectors, leveling the playing field quite well. They hear the call “FREEDOM!!!!” and their mouth waters. Teenager A returns to school the next day and picks up right where they left off, relating to Teenager B through the lens of a high school caste system.

Ironic as it is, I think it also presents a snapshot of an issue we face in the church. Consumerism. Approaching the church merely as something here to entertain me, inspire me, challenge me, and give me something to do….even towards God, allows it to remain about me. It’s very easy to approach a Sunday morning service, hear the shouts of “FREEDOM!!!!” take it in the same way we’d take in a tv show, and return to our lives of serving the systems and patterns we find ourselves in. The same systems Jesus Christ proclaimed our FREEDOM! from.

May we live as people who are engaged with the things we experience….whether it be a TV show that offers insight/reminders about life….or a Spirit-filled Sunday morning before the throne…

I’ve got to confess, I’ve made an error. Probably on more than one occasion. I’ve summarily gone against God in what seems to be minor, but could also be a fairly grand mistake on my part. When telling the story of Genesis, we breeze past God creating, etc…and pronouncing His “Good, Good, Very Good” over all things. Then we bring up the fact that we humans “messed it all up” by allowing sin to enter the world, and that God has been moving towards bringing things right-side up again.

Sound about right?

Only, from there it’s very easy to go down the dispensationalist avenue. God will return someday, dump this whole creation in a metal bin and burn it. Of course, even along some healthier bits of theology, we see thoughts of creation needing to be healed…which can easily lead to overlooking something very important and hope-filled…

We are living in a creation that God has pronounced His “Good, Good, Very Good” over. It is a “Good” that God has spoken/proclaimed. One that couldn’t possibly be annulled/destroyed/skewed by our choices. Sure, much has happened….things that have motivated God to work towards healing and bringing His justice, and making all things new.

The “Good, Good, Very Good” has become covered over, muffled by all the talk and noise we’ve filled the world with. But it’s still there, underneath it all. God chose a people, Israel, and attempted to help the world listen to his “Good” once again. He continued to proclaim His “Good” through Jesus Christ, and has sent us His Spirit so that we can be part of His work, amplifying his “Good” to the world, and clearing away the noises that have somehow gained sound over time.

May we live this week as people who hear and proclaim God’s “Good, Good, Very Good…” to the creation around us….

Yesterday morning, community leaders gathered together for a breakfast with a purpose. Sure, many of them probably came simply because it was sort of a “who’s who” for Decatur, and to eat scrambled eggs with the cities finest, and finest schmoozers. Truthfully, you don’t have to be a great leader to go, you just have to be involved in representing a business of some sort, and/or just willing to pay the $16 to eat among them. But I’m sure there were some there who genuinely desire to lead well. 🙂

The main speaker was Salome Thomas-El, principal from the Philadelphia area. He had a rough time growing up, and understands what many students are going through. His story sounds compelling, and I really like what he’s doing/living out….even if it is becoming a Disney movie. Side note: Why Disney? Why? Why not just let something good be something good, and not have to capitalize on it? Or perhaps…does good become better when Disney is allowed to amplify its’ message to the world? Hmm.

In any case, while many are struggling to leave inner city jobs, and make enough to support their families in locations that are “safer, more updated, nicer, etc…” whatever. Salome Thomas-El decided to stay with the inner city, and encourages others to do the same. As a father and husband (he is too), I gotta admit, that’s be a hard message to swallow. So much contained in the words “inner city” are things I want to protect my children and family from. Yet, it’s the call to the church as well.

One thing he spoke of, I think is a very popular sentiment, no matter where you live it seems. From the article above: “Success is a rejection of their background (and community).” How often do you hear young people talk about success and “leaving this place” as if they go hand in hand? How many of us feel more successful than those who “still live back there”? I admit, it’s an illness that I find in myself sometimes.

Not that moving away, pursuing a dream elsewhere, etc…are bad things. But what about promoting a success that finds itself at home in a long term sense of community? How about raising students and relating to them in a way that helps them envision themselves as part of something worth staying a part of/coming back to?