Slip Slidin’ Away

Any of my roommates from college (and my family, for that matter), will tell you that my music tastes are, at best, eclectic.

One of the guys I’m a big fan of is the better half of that timeless duo, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon.  Together, they were really, really good.  Separate, Paully-boy made quite a name for himself while Art had a career with success comparable to that of the Spruce Goose.

In my senior year of high school, during football season (so about 5 years ago exactly), I first heard Simon’s song called “Slip Slidin’ Away”.  The nearer your destination, the chorus declared, the more you’re slip slidin’ away.  It’s a catchy song, to be honest… and it’s just got a sound that is perfect for rainy days and a rich cup of coffee.

However, I think this song might be one of those instances where someone who didn’t know the truth of Scripture actually said something right (a la Caiaphas, who said in John 11 that it was good for “one man to die for the nation…”), albeit with most likely an entirely different meaning than we may take it to be.  But Simon’s words echo in a way what I’ve been thinking… the more I’ve thought about the fact that we stand on the brink of eternity, the more I find I care less about so many things that used to enrapture my focus and passions.

Think about it, though.  We are one car accident, one slip on wet concrete, one internal disease away from leaving this life.  We are physically fragile- more than we give ourselves credit for.  We have no control over traffic, over the carelessness for others, over the own internal workings (or failure thereof).  Our time may be up in 50 years.  Or 50 seconds.

But I know this- you’re closer to your eternal destination now than when you started reading this.  Do you know where you’re going?  I don’t meant to be preaching on the blogosphere; I don’t want to be preaching on the blogosphere.  But this might be the most important question you ask yourself.  Do you know where you’re going?  Are you afraid to die?

You’re slip slidin’ away, whether you realize it or not.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes in Him Who sent Me has eternal life.  He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”   — Jesus (John 5:24)

 

 

 

*****Political Sidenote: those who’ve known me over the last 5 years know that I have definitely become less politically-orientated over time.  But I will say this about the upcoming election, since a week from now we’ll know whom God has chosen to lead these morally bankrupt United States: I don’t think the GOP is going to take this one.  I’m sad, not because I’m too thrilled with the concept of 4 more years of Republican leadership, but because I’m definitely NOT looking forward to a certain Senator’s plan of redistribution… or universal healthcare… or probably future restrictions on the evangelical fundamentalist Christian’s practical exercise of his or her personal beliefs (e.g.- “No Spanking” Laws, anyone?).  However, I did hear this joke this evening from one of the guys that are on security with me down at G-Comm that brought a wry smile of chagrin to my face; I’ll share it with you.

“He’s always talking about change.  Change, change, change.  Well, that’s all you’ll have when he’s done with you– just some spare change!”

Manic Monday

This morning, I did my daily dose of push-ups to Relient K’s rendition of The Bangle’s smash hit, “Manic Monday.” 

Why, you ask?  Well, I need to do push-ups… it’s sort of been an “off-season” for me and working out since…. well, since I left for IBEX.  I thought my “self-defense” course I took last Spring would put me back into shape… all it did was made me look like I had cerebral palsy compared to the Athletes who were taking the class only so they could graduate.  Humiliating, to be sure.

Oh, you meant, why listen to “Manic Monday”?  Ah, I see.  Well, because it’s Monday.  But this just isn’t any Monday, no-siree-bob.  This is Monday of the Big Week.  The Big Show.  I’m talking game day here, people.

Thursday is the beginning of College View Weekend.  *DUH-DUH-DUH* (dramatic music)

So, I’m kinda on edge this week.  (I’m not going to use the term “stressing”, because my predecessor, Jonathan Holmes, taught me that “stress is actually a sinful response of worry and anxiety and often anger to unfortunate or uncomfortable situations”).  I know everyone keeps saying that “College View Weekend will go just fine, it practically runs itself”… but I’m just waiting for the inevitable tragedy to befall me and have registration messed up, or the food arrive at the wrong time, or a natural disaster such as a Tsunami hit TMC, or the Portuguese will finally attack (don’t think it won’t happen- they’ve had it out for us for a while), or pretty much the Universe will implode.

Yep, that’s the forecast for my week.  I’ll keep you posted.  Or maybe I won’t, because an anvil might fall out of the sky onto my head.  Who knows.

Midnight Musings…

Growing up in church, we’d sing a song that would go like this:

“Make me a servant, Humble and meek, Lord let me lift up those who are weak, and may the prayer of my heart always be- make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.”

I really like this song, I really do.  Why, you ask?  Because every time I sing it, it usually comes out as an earnest prayer for God to help me where I feel like I sorely lack.

I go to one of the most populous churches around.  I don’t say that to brag.  I have a theory though, that for every person you have in a church, there are just as many (and probably more) ways you can serve, because we can minister to EVERYONE in the Body of Christ.  Therefore, since my church has a massive amount of people, there are massive ways I can serve.

I enjoy serving… but oh, does pride always knock at the door.  Sometimes it gets really hard.  The thing that hit me tonight after reading my good friend Micah Lugg’s blog was the reason I serve.  I desperately try to serve with complete 100% genuine humility… but as Derek Webb once sang, “there are things you would not believe that travel into my mind- I swear I try and capture them, but I always set them free…”  You have to have constant vigilance against pride.

I asked myself tonight, why do I come to church– is it to be served or to serve?  This came up in a discussion I had the privilege of participating in a few mornings ago… what is the point of a marriage?  So many guys out there have the misconception (whether they realize it or not), that they are looking for the best mate for them (selfishly), instead of looking for the person whom they can best serve.  Convicting.  Really convicting.

So, I guess the redeeming factor of this blog would be this: why do you serve?  Seriously?  Who are you wanting to see you?  What are you looking to get out of it?  Jesus served because He loved His Father and wanted to do His work.  He served so that He could bring compassion and comfort and salvation to those around Him.  He didn’t serve to get Himself noticed– He even turned down being the political king one time!

Lord, make me a genuine, selfless servant.  Please grant me a deeper love for You and for those around me.  Forgive me when I fail.  Amen.