Trust vs. Superstition

Again, to all, "Happy New Year!" I do realize this year will bring challenges and wonders. I do realize this year will bring disappointments and rewards. And I also realize this year will bring multiple opportunities for growth. Regardless what this year brings, one should be prepared. So it's perfectly okay to..."expect the best but prepare for the worst." Each highlighted scenario, we will be addressing throughout this month. But on this present occasion we will address the case of trust vs. superstition.

What is trust? What is trust in God? How can I operate in more trust in God? What is superstition? Why do people operate in superstition? Is it okay for Christians to be superstitious? Many of these questions may be complex in their origin and understanding. And some may not be able to be adequately answered in this blog post. But the overall concept to these questions can be quickly answered.

Here are the quick answers:

Trust, according to Merriam-Webster, is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. Notice, it is not preferenced by feelings or emotions but rather character. Trust in God, it is placing full assurance in His character (what He's consistently known for doing throughout history). It's not based on guessing or wishing but guaranteed, full assurance. Trusting God more, it is based on getting to know Him more. Getting to know His character and consistency, it is not based just on knowing about God but rather knowing God, personally.

On the other hand, superstition is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any process in the physical world linking the two events. It is based solely on folk tales, myths, luck, guesses, feelings and emotions. But, similar to trust, a full assurance of belief is placed in those things. For example, today is Friday the 13th, a so called unlucky number. So now luck is the driving force to their belief instead of God. Many people are highly superstitious because they either don't personally know God, or have a dubious relationship and are keenly lacking in their trust in Him. As for Christians being very superstitious, in a nutshell, it's not okay. These individuals should know God. But unfortunately, many don't! Instead, some of them just only know about God. So when it comes to direction for their lives; they look to the horrorscopes, are fearful by their surroundings and hold onto doubtful superstitions as valid truth. Sadly, the power and presence of God in their lives is limited to a Sunday morning ritual or nightly prayer routine passed on by family and friends.

The point of it all is this: if one can be superstitious; one can place trust in God. Both are based on full assurance. It's just that with superstition, the full assurance is placed in the wrong thing. Loved ones, let's trust more (in God) for 2012 and be very superstitious a lot less.

The Respect Series 12: "The Anti-Factor"

Well, well, well...it looks as if we're at the onset of concluding another year. A year to be grateful for the ups and even the downs. A year to love more, live more, and serve God more faithfully. And of course, a year to ring in the culmination of many things. In this case: the ringing in of "The Respect Series" as an array of blog-posts.

But there's still one last factor to address; one last post to write. This is the post I knew I couldn't avoid: "The Anti-Factor." So if one should consider doing away with all the preconceived notions of respect in this world, does that mean one should go after a life of welcoming disrespect as the ultimate means to respect? Should you hate anyone who doesn't agree with your opinion or value your perspective? Should you seek to be at odds with the thug, wealthy, happily married, overwhelmingly talented, seemingly religious, most popular, extremely athletic, elderly, handicapped, etc?

Unfortunately, many hear questions like these and mistakenly answer, "YES!" Being a loner is their cup of tea and anything the world praises they're in opposition to. That's right, they're anti. They're anti-establishment, anti-success, anti-love, anti almost everything. Most are even anti-God. My heart goes out to these individuals deeply. And to my dismay, a lot of them are young, way too young to be spiteful with their life and the life of anyone else.

If you go into the Hot Topic retail store in a mall, you'll see many of them purchasing their anti-fashion full of pictures of death, skulls and bones. Some even label themselves as Gothic, identifying with the Goth Subculture which is based on sexually-explicit, grudge rock music mixed with horror.

Many feel hopeless, with no voice and are too welcoming to suicide, hate and even murder (Columbine & Red Lake High Schools and the Dawson College killings, just to name a few). Many video games, movies and science-fiction novels are influenced by this culture. As I submit this post, the numer one film in the world is a goth-related production: Twilight - a vampire tale of youngsters which in its first installation has grossed over $1 billion at the box office alone.

Okay, so what am I getting at? Many of these "youths" (dressed in their black leather with black boots and black makeup) just want to be loved, valued and appreciated. Underneath all that black stuff are gorgeous individuals, who are usually as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside (when given a chance to truly be heard). They want their voice heard and resent the fact that their voices are crowded out due to all the other voices the world so keenly respects. After all, their voice tends to be one of the ones MOST disrespected. But if society won't reach out to them, JESUS WILL! So let's come together as Christians and represent Jesus well by loving all, even the ones we may not fully understand and have difficulty respecting. At least let's give their hurting hearts a voice, and let them know that God is listening. He SO GREATLY loves them all, enough to die on their behalf.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And may WE ALL continue to grow in the area of respect...!

The Respect Series 11: "The Sympathy Factor"

Whoa, poor _____! How will they be able to make it, after such a loss, or this situation? Many times, words like these are often muttered by sympathizers. These are the individuals who wish to respect or support you, based on your series of unfortunate events: the loss of a loved one, during the fight against a deadly disease, or some other major adversity faced.

But instead of respecting these individuals because one feels sorry for them, you can aid them in their need. Here are some examples:

For the elderly individual --- help them pay for their medicine or be that listening ear, providing hope and encouragement, to a lonely soul.

For the physically challenged/handicapped individual --- help them with medial services like getting dressed, play and eating. More importantly, try assisting those who are called to take care of these individuals.

For the individual who has just experienced a loss --- help them with chores around the home, babysitting children or finding new ways of moving on.

This list could go on and on for the: homeless, drug addict, individual with full blown AIDS, excon, someone presently incarcerated, ones in extreme poverty, the starving, the unemployed, the grossly uneducated, the single-parent, etc.

Instead of just respecting these individuals out of sympathy, how about you truly try getting to know them? Better yet, why don't you seek to love them and even learn to appreciate them? Sadly, many Christians could care less about many of these individuals! Just as long as me, my four and no more are okay, I'm fine and everything's just dandy. But many are physically dying all around you, and also spiritually dying as well. They have came to the belief that no one really cares, about them for that matter.

For some apparent reason, "the light bulb of care" doesn't seem to go off until it hits home. When YOU are the one going through the pain and crisis, suddenly it's a major crisis that needs immediate attention. When it's your family member dying or your spouse being wrapped with depression, all of the sudden it's a matter of life and death and everyone around you, in your circle of influence and your city need to get on board. Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 makes it clear that this type of attitude should extend so far beyond your family, friends and relatives. But "a respectful heart of sympathy" should extend to others you encounter in one form or another.

Remember, selfishness and sympathy usually never go together!

The Respect Series 10: "The Talent Factor"

I am by no means "a television buff" but am aware of some of the programs out there, from commercials coming on in the middle of sporting games I view. There are three shows I continue to see advertised: America's Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars and The X Factor. I have never actually seen any of these shows, but one thing is certain. There is a high stakes on viewing talent. Whether someone is singing, dancing or a combination of the two, we want to see that talent displayed.

I've already mentioned my fascination for sports. But why such a fascination with balls, fields, hoops, tracks, rackets, bats, etc? Well, it's not about any of those things as much as it's about the astounding talent. Numerous others like myself want to see spectacular talent at least every weekend. That's why billions are spent annually on sports with people filling stadiums, purchasing jerseys or tailgating.

The better the talent, the better the chances are for a seemingly well off life. See, most people overwhelmingly LOVE the quintessential star. A rising-professional athlete is mainly known as one with a life filled with good living. Money galore, praise abundant and MAJOR RESPECT are the norm for most top notch athletes. But why? Why is an athlete so widely respected? It's not like they're all saving lives, repetitively ministering hope or revolutionizing this world for God's glory. They're just simply PLAYING a sport. The same goes for an actor or artist; they're not doing anything super special as it relates to the grand scope of things in the world.

Instead most teachers, firefighters, policemen and pastors wish they could be respected with at least half of the respect of top-tier athletes and actors. Many would feel so blessed to gain just some of that recognition. But they as well as ourselves should realize that living for the accolades of people is not a healthy goal. People are fleeting and fickled; they love you today and turn their backs on you tomorrow. If you don't believe me, just ask the star athlete or actor who has regressed in their performance or production. Suddenly, their fans agree in unison, "Next, c'mon let's do away with them and look for the next best thing coming."

Even Jesus can assist us in identifying with that disappointing feeling. He was gloriously praised on Thursday and painfully crucified on Friday. For those who may have outstanding talent, or their opposite counterparts who are much less talented, to put it kindly. Know that you are blessed, special and can rest in the talent and power of Jesus. He wants to work in you and through you, where He gets ALL the glory. God doesn't just only want the best ability but total availability. EFFORT matters with Him much more than just talented results. Contemporary Christian singer Rachael Lampa said it best in one of her old hits: "I AM BLESSED... Oh Lord, for all the worse and all the best, I am blessed!"

The Respect Series 9: "The Fashion Factor"

Bill at time of checkout: $30 for a bra, $300 for a pair of shoes, $3,000 for a bracelet, and $30,000 for an evening dress with matching shawl laced with 1/2 cut diamonds. It seems ridiculous, doesn't it? Nearly $35,000 spent on 1 outfit to be used for only 1 evening. Again, it seems ridiculous, doesn't it? How about I add the fact that the purchaser has a salary of $75,000, is in debt from student loans, have a mortgage payment of $2,500, and car payment of $500. Is it still ridiculous? How about I say the purchase is for their wedding day on tomorrow. Suddenly, the purchase is now seemingly justified...and the check is comfortably written. Wow!

Let's try this on for size. If I say, "An elegant texture with refined faux, touch of cowhide laces and shiek but chic looping brooch." Who would have known that I was referring to a designer belt. I can tell the truth, I wouldn't have even known. Well, what about when we hear names like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Prada, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Vera Wang, Salvatore Ferragamo, and MIU MIU? To be frankly honest, I would nearly be just as lost as I was with the belt scenario. But much of the nation in general would know about all of those names in some manner or another. And the fashion industry, media circuits, or luxury community would make sure you're privvy to many of those names and more. The fashion industry has their own language that the masses, surprisingly, understand. Not only do they understand this language, but they validate so many others by it.

I can remember growing up in grade school and hearing children taunt one another over their fashion. "Whoa, your shoes are bobos...Those aren't Nikes, they're Mike's!" or "Girl, who did your makeup? It's tore up from the floor up!" Children were so cruel in those days, targeting many times the fashion of their peers. Many believe, today's children are even worst! So, if I didn't want to get made fun of, I had to beg my parents, sneak designer clothes from my older siblings or try to work a minimum wage job at a young age. Tough times I tell you, tough times! But why? Why was there such an elite significance placed on designer clothes?

Actually, the significance wasn't placed on the clothes as much as it was placed on the name on the clothes. Then, why was the name important? Well, the name really wasn't important either. For all we know, some of those individuals could have been killers, bigots, thieves, snobs, etc. Eventually, what I learned over time was that the name wasn't the significant or important thing. The primary focus was on the name's affluence level. People usually identified the brands with affluence. Even if you weren't rich, at least, you could feel like you were. Better yet, you would even get respected like the rich get respected, seemingly. Herein lies a problem.

Value and respect, in this essence, is based on something fleeting, something material, someone mainly given worth due to their income or inheritance---someone RICH. For many of us, we're no longer in grade school. Thus, we shouldn't be acting like children. Let's grow up! Let's stop seeking to identify with a cultural norm that only respects you for your social class or income level. Or, in this case, your fashion... and let's look to be respected for who we are, not so much what we have or where we seem to stand in society.

The Respect Series 8: "The Civil/Patriot Factor"

For the common individual, respect is often given to those we are most proud of. This can range from our great grandparents all the way down to our children. But this type of respect is usually fleeting and fickled. The moment they tick you off, or you find out about something shamefully detrimental in their past, all of that admiration suddenly goes out the window. On the contrary, there are certain individuals we give a much longer lasting since of dignity to. Interestingly, their not that much different from the aforementioned individuals, like great grandparents and children. Many of these individuals have seemingly earned respect on an ongoing basis, no matter what! They will never lose it all, regardless of what they do. Also, this is usually based on one event or concept. But the commitment from that event or concept goes on for nearly a lifetime.

See, that's exactly it --- the COMMITMENT!

This is why we can continually give honor to those who fought in the 'Civil Rights Movement.' Their life before or even after that movement could be anything other than honorable and civic. But we don't even begin to attempt to discredit them (or their legacy) for their mishaps and failures. And neither should we!

Likewise, similar to notable civic leaders, patriots are given a pass for their unjust involvment in countless wars and the carrying out of unethical or unpopular policy. Except for the unjust disdain for the Veitnam War which was not highly appropriate, those men shouldn't have taken the brunt of the blame. Also, many argue that disdain was not so much targeted toward the Vets but rather the American government, once everything was said and done. Anyway, the soldiers or individuals laying their lives down for our nation are STILL greatly respected.

So what's the point I'm getting at? Well, the point is this: individuals involved in ministry or the work of the Gospel rarely ever get a justifiable pass, even when needed. They are respected within the perimeters of the church only, and that varies from local church to local church. Rarely are they ever respected out of it, once they fall. And condemningly, the world kicks them hard while they're down on a continual basis. Unfortunately, nowadays, so does the church! Now I'm not only talking about leaders, pastors or bishops. I'm referring to you and I as well. Sadly, when Christians fail, and we all do daily in some sort of way, we are the bud of every joke. We are disrepected on all accounts. You know the popular word we tend to be known by --- HYPOCRITS!

My prayer is that this unbelieving world would start to, at least, see Christians for who they are as individuals. That's right, we are still INDIVIDUALS. We are individuals who are called to make a difference in this world for God's glory, not necessarily to be perfect individuals who are super-faultless. Yes, Christians ought to seek to do and be better. But we also are to let others know we're strongly seeking to do that and not individuals who always get it right all the time, or the first time around for that matter. We should still be given, the same bit of respect civil leaders and patriots are given for our continued sacrifice, just like theirs. And let's be about lifting up others while their down, instead of kicking them hard, permanently wounding our brothers and sisters in Christ.

5 After 7

Believe it or not, 'The Respect Series' is not over. Yes, it was supposed to end at the 7th factor---"The Holy Factor." But it's definitely not over! To your surprise and mine, the series continues with, not 1 but, 5 more posts. Therefore, it looks as if we'll be communicating about this, in detail, until the end of the year --- 2011. The posts are as follows:

* The Civil/Patriot Factor

* The Fashion Factor

* The Talent Factor

* The Sympathy Factor

* The Anti-Factor

Of course, this will make 12 factors in total instead of the perceived 7. Twelve is not necessarily a bad number. After all, these are the amount of disciples Jesus truly chose. Also, this is the number of months in a full year. And so on and so forth. So twelve does work pretty well. If I decide to go pass twelve, "Someone please stop me!" Enough already; by now, you all should begin to understand where your respect should and should not lie. It definitely shouldn't lie in many of the things we so overwhelmingly over-value. God, and God alone is due our ultimate respect --- fear, devotion, honor, passion, hope, idolization, and love.