When I look back at my journal from 6 months or so ago. I can tell that because I look at what I wrote and think ‘That seems immature’. I don’t know in exactly what way though!
My bro writes some really impressive stuff on his blog. A recent post contained the line 'Living without purpose is dying without a cause'. 17- Amazing!
At the moment I'm on a journey of trying to distinguish how much we as Christians should go on principle, or self discipline, and how much we should just live life, based on our desires. It was brought up for me while I was on holiday with a friend who is far more a 'heart' person (while I am far more of a 'head' person).
Sometimes Christians (especially in this country) can be so sensible. I recently read in a children's holiday club manual on the theme of pirates: 'you should be dressed as pirates, but without any references to disability (eye patches, wooden legs etc.)'. Some might see this as a sensible precaution (agaist what?!), but it's just sooo RATIONAL, or REASONABLE, or LOGICAL or SAFE. - Who cares?!
Do you know, I don't think that there's a word for it. If anyone can find a good one, let me know. All of our words meaning 'based on thought' have positive connotations. What I really need is a word which means: 'based-on-reason-in-such-a-way-that-it-takes-away-from-fun-or-any-sense-of-enjoyment' or something like that. In some cases it can seem like our job as Christians is to be the sensibleness of the world. We can't be creative or wild or passionate or crazy - the main job of the Christian is sensibleness. Doh!
Another example is the idea that Christians should always go for the 'middle way' when making purchases (e.g. buying cars). They shouldn't get the cheapest option, because that's generally bad stewardship (it'll break down sooner, and in some cases it can mean oppression of the poor producers). They shouldn't go for the most expensive option, because that will again be poor stewardship, and will probably be based more on show than anything else. To quote John Wesley (quoted by Richard Foster) 'As... for apparel, I buy the most lasting and, in general, the plainest I can. I buy no furniture but what is neccessary and cheap'.
See, I actually agree with that. I run a scooter, rather than a car, because it's cheaper and I don't need a car; I only have two pairs of jeans that I wear (this is in the hope of inspiring, not to boast in myself) - but the thing is, if followed in every case it just leads to boring-ness! Where's the place for a person who loves guitars, and has like, 12 of 'em? Or does it suggests that a Christian should never own a ferrari? AND that ferarri as a company is a bad or a sinful thing? PLEASE, let's be real, let's escape materialism, but let's NOT be boring. I would rather be totally poor, giving everything away, or totally rich (and generous), but to be mediocre? AARGH!
love
D
