Religulous

It's a combination of "religion" and "ridiculous". Sorry, I know a few who won't get the word so I have to explain. And it's the name of Bill Maher's new movie, and by the title, you can guess the subject. I watched an interview last night on the Daily Show (it's where I get all my news, I can't help it) and I've been thinking about it since. Maher is not in the "there is no god" camp, according to what he says, but more in the "we can't prove there is a god" camp. And from the clips, this looks like a funny movie, but it is so very disturbing that what the world sees as faith is extremism, fanaticism, and often the fringe of every denomination, church, cult, or crazy idea that calls itself "religion". On the show last night, Maher compared Scientology to Christianity as the only difference is that one is new. And I could feel a rebuttal building in my chest but he couldn't hear me...he was on t.v.

This reminds me a little of the whole "I met Satan" post I earlier had where I said I really see God at work. As a reasonable, educated, young-ish, Christian woman, I tend to live in the middle of most arguments, neither conservative or liberal. When I imagine what the conversation is going to be over this movie, I want to rest my head for a few minutes. Here's why: the extremes are what you'll hear. And really, as a middle-way person, I'm more disturbed by Maher's points about the questions he asked normal people who call themselves religious. And they couldn't answer. I know that any deep faith discussion is eventually going to wind up at something that you just have to believe, and there are many elements of religion that are laughable. But the fact that this is the face of the church, what the world sees, is not funny.

Maher's biggest point seemed to be that a VP like Sarah Palin is a shining example of all that's wrong with this country. She believes the Bible literally so how could she be a reasonable person? I am not sure that she IS a reasonable person, but I don't blame that on believing the Bible or see that as evidence either way. It appears to me that her issues are inborn, personality traits or character flaws. Jon Stewart mentioned that faith does give us good things: morality, comfort. Maher answered by saying they were outweighed by war etc. I don't believe that faith causes wars. Religion might. Extremism certainly does.

Obviously Bill Maher is sharp with a very quick mind. That is crystal clear. It seems unfair to illustrate the ills of religion by setting his wit against the masses on the street. What I'd like to see is a match up against the best minds. There still may not be agreement but it should be harder to make the other person the butt of the joke. A person who has actually thought to determine what he or she believes and studied some to find the answers seems to be a little hard to find out on the streets of London. It's very easy to find people who believe what they've been told to believe apparently. Of course, he has done an excellent job illustrating the dangers: there are a whole lot more of them than there are of us.

Questions...I've got 'em.

Recently I've discovered that I just expect to be able to find answers when I search for them. In the Internet age, you can find a thousand places to tell you how to properly boil an egg. Don't believe me? Just do a search. I do know. I'm not much of a cook. Really, I'm not a cook at all. I used to call my mother every time I had to boil eggs. Now I search the Internet. Some things are just too embarassing to call and ask someone who you're still trying to impress. And that's one of my biggest problems: I'm still trying to impress, to look like I have it together, to pretend that nothing hurts or that I need anything more than I have.

Other searches are a lot more difficult to find the answers, even with all this information at your fingertips. And I know I should be talking about the big issues...what am I here for, is there a God, why do bad things happen. I just think I have all those things answered. I'm not searching for those answers. Mine are different: finances, electrical, rodent eradication, relationships, how to fix me, and other assorted pieces. And they all stem from me trying to take care of me. All on my own. I think I'm looking for...if you can do this, that, and this other thing, then yes, of course, this career path is for you. Or if he says this, he does that, and he's this kind of person...then this, without a doubt, is exactly what he means. And he is so into you. Follow this path. Go this way. Do this thing. And you will be happy.

Lately, I've sorta been having these conversations in my head. Ironically, they're about getting out of my head. Getting out of my way. Asking for help, direction, thoughts, suggestions from experts. Now, where can I find experts? Maybe I'll try Google...

God working

John 5
19-20So Jesus explained himself at length. "I'm telling you this straight. The Son can't independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.

As I was doing my Experiencing God study this morning, I thought a little about my post from yesterday about who was really at work...Satan or God. And the fact that even Jesus could only accomplish God's purposes here by watching to see where He was already working and going there.

How many times do we miss what's really going on? How many times to we see coincidence instead of God working? How many times do I let uncomfortable people make me miss what God is doing?

It's really something that I need to watch for. I know I'm missing it all the time. And all the time I'm crying out for God to show me His will.

Father, help me to see what you're doing so that I can be involved.

So, which is it?

John 8
43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

I met Satan last week.

Those were the words that she began with during our prayer request time in Sunday school. And stupidly, the hair raises on my arms and I start to hear ominous music in my mind and look around for the axe slinging maniac. That's what evil looks like. Right?
As she went on to explain, Satan came in the form of a person who got into a very serious discussion with her on the existence of God. People were formed from the stars and the dust and there is no God. Incorrect, yes. Misguided, certainly. Hopelessly lost right now, yes. Satan? I don't know. This seems to be a very straightforward conversation for Satan to be starting. Why would Satan send that person up against another willing to share the truth? Why would he make it so easy to refute? Why would the father of all lies start this when this guy is clearly in his camp already? As she spoke, a couple of thoughts ran through my head.

We meet Satan every day of every week, whether it's in an unsettling conversation or not. He's there, maybe not boldly with flaming evil, but he's there in much more dangerous ways. This is what Paul says in 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

We know we'll encounter him...in philosophies that look so much like ours that it's hard to show how dangerously wrong they are and in people who put obstacles in the way because this faith is too easy or even in believers who would rather have the temptations of this world, but a head-to-head confrontation like this seems a little more rare. Even when he tempted Christ, his manner was deceptively logical. And really, I think my question is...is this Satan? Or is this God at work? Satan already has that one so it's a battle he can only lose.

And in the end, it probably doesn't matter who started the battle although I'm always going to hope for my own sake that God's already there working because it's not an argument I can win on my own anyway. The answer is still the same...see that person, that lost person, as God sees him. Don't be distracted by heated arguments or confused theories. See that person as God sees him, lost...but not without hope. That conversation means hope.

Personality?

Here's another true confession: I'm a little weird. I like to take tests. I especially like to take "what kind of popsicle/Austen character/superhero/color are you?" tests. To me, anytime I get to choose a button and have immediate scoring results, I am happy. I enjoy taking things like the GRE and the GMAT. I am an excellent test taker. You didn't really need to know that although it does explain a little about why I decided to take the Servants by Design personality test thingamabob. To find out more, click Your Unique Design. It has been recommended to me by more than one person and it was again by life coach Shane (apparently he's going to turn up in this blog as often as the Daily Show does in any political conversation I take part in).

So with my found time (waiting for Mr. Electric), I decided to take this test. And really, if I told you the choices were Achiever, Persister, Dreamer, Energizer, Catalyzer, and Harmonizer (and you know me just a little bit at all), you'd probably put my results in that order. And that's my order with Achiever and Persister at 100%.
Motivators:
While in the process of developing your Dreamer part, you are motivated to seek solitude and peace. You need to spend considerable time undisturbed by people, noises or outside interruptions.

Planning, organizing and completing meaningful tasks or projects will remain a priority for you. Recognition for a job well done by someone you respect and admire can be an excellent motivator, although you have the ability to work for long periods of time motivated by only your need to be responsible and do your best.

Abilities: communicating, planning, and overseeing.

Here are the pitfalls:
Occasionally you will feel powerless to change things, believing instead that you just have to be strong and endure whatever problems come your way.
When overloaded, you likely will begin to avoid phone calls and miss meetings.
Under pressure, you will tend to find yourself wanting to withdraw from contact with others.

Pitfall seems to indicate a dangerous or bad thing. So...I'm not sure the things listed above fit. Aren't they just things, neither good nor bad really? I would say they are 100% true. Many days at work, I just want to sit under my desk. Quietly. Overload, yes, but what do I do about that?

Now maybe I need someone to tell me what to do with the info, short of wrapping it up and handing it to my family to say that it is, indeed, OK for me to spend time alone. In fact, it's needed. And then also to my boss and co-workers who value my "answers and clear thinking" to explain why I am sitting under my desk and rocking, avoiding phone calls, and missing meetings. It's the Dreamer part of me under overload. Just one crisis too many at the moment...catch me later.

That might actually be a big help.

Calling vs. career

I think the point where I got a little "don't-cry-don't-cry" panicked at lunch was during the 4 questions:
1. Think about the time you felt the most alive. What were you doing?
2. If money and failure were not options, what would you do?
3. What do other people tell me I do with excellence?
4. What kind of legacy do I want to leave?

I've been working with Merry from Marketplace Connection for just a little while now, and we've had some conversation about career choices. She recommended a study called 48 Days to the Work You Love to me (and to a friend who was recently laid off). And I bought the book. And that's as far as it went. And here's why: I'm sorta afraid of the answer. If I find clear direction, what in the world am I going to do with it? I'm comfortable (sort of) right where I am. I know what to expect (sort of) every day. After lunch on Thursday, with some unexpected time off (waiting for Mr. Electric to show up...not as exciting as it sounds), I started Day 1.

And did some thinking about these questions.
The places I felt most alive are scary places! Out on the edge of my comfort zone:
-sitting on a hill overlooking a town in the Andes mountains in Peru, praying for those people and thanking God for that chance.
-sitting alone in a town square in a town in the Andes mountains, surrounded by children who speak Spanish...and I don't
-showering with a lizard in a town in the Andes mountains in Peru. If the cold water doesn't make you feel alive, keeping an eye on the lizard definitely will.
-photographing quilts in the streets of Dublin, Ireland, with possibly the best friend of my life
-reading, writing, and discussing great books in literature classes in college
-being critiqued in the only creative writing class I've ever taken
-speaking in the final class of my MBA gauntlet in front of a panel of business experts

Those are just quick answers, off the top of my head, but I think that fear may be the common factor.

If money and failure were taken out of the mix, what would I do? Clearly, study, and travel and write. Those are things that I see that I love. That I always have loved and that I always will love. But in the real world, money is a necessity and failure is very much an option with which I am intimately acquainted and live in dread of daily. So what in the world does that tell me? You know, I've been told by more than one person who loves me that I can do anything, but that's clearly untrue, so where's the line?

What do people tell me I do with excellence? I have no idea, but here's the real trick: if I can't do it perfectly, or at least excellently, I don't really want to do it. I really, really don't want to do it. I lose sleep over how much I don't want to do it. But if I look at what I do daily, I schedule, I plan, I problem-solve, I lighten the mood when I can. There may be other things.

And as for legacy, I've never thought about it. Who am I leaving a legacy for?

What about you? Can you answer these questions? There supposed to help us determine a calling, which is different than a career. A calling is our passion, our purpose. And we're all supposed to have one, right?

Remember Psalm 139? This is from the Message translation:
13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

All the stages of my life, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day...I have a purpose and work prepared for me. Father, show me what it is.

Work we had better be doing

Ephesians 2 from the Message;

7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

In the lunch on Thursday, life coach Shane read this from Ephesians. I was really looking forward to this lunch topic. I was just really hoping for some ideas. And I still had to do a minor "don't-cry" pep talk. And I was a little surprised by it.

I mean, a job is just a job, right? This one pretty much the same as that one. And just because most days in my current job I feel a little lightheaded because of the lack of oxygen in my office, thanks to overbearing burdens of too much work, not enough people, crazy deadlines and a feeling of the never-ending sameness of every day...wait, did I say that out loud? Anyway, aren't most places like that? I work for a good company with a great product. I like working with my friends. I like pulling pretty things out of boxes and seeing nice photos. I like lunch. And my skills are perfect for this job. I grew up here. I'm successful here. It's home.

Whether or not home is where I need to be, I don't believe crushing never-ending sameness is what my life should be about. As Ephesians says, I've been created to join Christ Jesus in the works he's doing, work I should be doing. I don't believe the place is the problem. I think the biggest problem is that I'm not plugged in to where God is working.

I don't know that this means a change of place. I do think it means a change of attitude. At the very least, there's something more I should be doing that requires some of the energy that leaks out of me during the day in my oxygen-light atmosphere.

So I think the first thing to do is to have the right attitude about work. And here's a confession: in my life, there is no small stuff. Every challenge is a big challenge, life or death, critical. It's never too soon to panic. And I know that's just not true. I can work hard enough, push hard enough, grind through, and plug every problem with a solution and still fail in the end because of something out of my control. So...learning not to sweat the small stuff might be a good step.

How in the world do I do that?