Choices, Choices, Choices!

As I sat reading Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken its symbolism was not lost on me.  I was once again reminded that life if filled with choices.  As a matter of fact, it is impossible to live life without having to make choices; one cannot not choose – everything undertaken in life involves choice; choices can be as quotidian as what to have for breakfast; as traumatic as whether or not to cease life support to an ailing spouse or as eternal as whether to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – either way, choices must be made and the effects on generations to come cannot be denied.  Right now I am exercising the choice to write this piece instead of taking a nap on this peaceful day.  

However, some choices are more critical to our survival than writing or taking naps (as important as they are).  In  this poem the traveler stands confused looking at both roads as they lay [equally] before him – both able to take him from his present situation, symbolically characteristic of myriad temptations placed before Christians on a day to day basis appearing similar to God’s way. To the reader (Christian or non-Christian) the allegorical thread beneath this fine work is evident in all stanzas – consider all aspects of the choices presented before making a decision. When faced with a decision, as humans, the natural inclination throughout the ages is to wonder “what if” and, more so after we have made it. This inclination comes from our need for certainty and predictability; the reality of this poem is still evident today in many working mothers who question their decision to work outside the home many years after the children have grown up. The poet does not disregard this human frailty, but embraces the inclination taking the readers along on this obscure journey of decision-making with choices that appear so alike.

It's my belief that when faced with a decision, we are to prayerfully consider the alternatives and faithfully make the decision. (I say faithfully becuase we must believe we've made the right choice.) While one must make choices carefully, here lies the paradox – one cannot be too hard on oneself by constantly questioning the decision which has already been made.  So, do your best and let God do the rest . . . I’m just thinking.

We've Lost that Loving Feeling

This is an election year in the USA and as political pundits and candidates take to the airwaves to convince the electorate, I am saddened by the vitriol with which the messages are delivered.

Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology Theory postulates that people are born with weak, inferior bodies which cause them to have feelings of inferiority, thus making them dependent on others. He also suggests that a feeling of unity with others (social interest) is innate, and as such is the summit for psychological health. In an effort to protect the human’s fragile self-esteem (emanating from the feelings of inferiority), Adler believed that people developed patterns of coping or Safeguarding Techniques.

On the surface, Adler’s theory appears to compare favorably with Christianity on two levels:

·       The sense of community – as seen throughout the Bible, a sense of community – social feeling/community feeling (gemeinschaftsgefuhl) is very important. The early church is a perfect example of this, the book of Acts states that the believers assembled together for prayer and fellowship. We also know that they sold their goods and shared the proceeds.

·       The search for perfection – his teleology stresses that future goals motivate present behavior. Although the Bible does not teach that Christ’s followers can become perfect, it does however, embrace striving for improved relationships with God and fellow believers. Paul says it best in Philippians 3:13-14; the goal being not perfection, but the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.

However, if we want to continue calling ourselves a Christian nation, then the way in which we treat the least among us is in need of an overhaul.  It appears to me that even as one possesses great wealth one can still possess a fragile self-esteem with a penchant to demean others.  It is sad that our public discourse cannot be on a level where we can respectfully disagree without name calling and deprecation.  As the Righteous Brothers sang years ago, “You’ve [We’ve] lost that loving feeling.” 

As a Christian nation, let’s try to regain that loving feeling before it’s gone.  We can do this by reinstating that sense of community and searching for a more ‘perfect’ way to hold our public discourse as we strive for a better nation.

I’m just thinking . . . have we really lost that loving feeling?