A few months ago I caught an absolutely hilarious MythBusters episode where they tested the theory that it is IMPOSSIBLE to walk in a straight line blindfolded. They took it to the extreme, sight canceling goggles, earplugs, etc. so that no outside influence could affect their ability to find a direction. And this picture is roughly like how their trajectories moved.
When they interviewed the walkers, they each described in detail how good they felt they were doing, how straight they seemed to be moving, how on target they thought they were. Wow, were they wrong! Without the point of reference in focus, guiding, they could not stay on course.
And that, my friends, is what life is like. Without an external point of reference we flounder and spin. I believe we each want what is best for ourselves and our families, but I know that people feel at best uncertain about what that actually looks like. The human tragedy aspect of it is that regardless of how we feel we are on target, our lives end up looking like the picture. And who wants to reflect on a life shaped like that at the end of their days. "I worked too much. I didn't really know my kids. I never forgave my father. I should have spend more time with my wife."
The Good News, is that there is a simple and accessible guiding standard, Jesus. Jesus taught a paradigm-busting set of truths, establishing himself as a model of living that no one in the history of humanity has undone or superseded:
1. Love God (keep your eyes on the target)
2. Love One Another (serve and welcome and give more than you get)
3. Do Not Judge (because nobody's perfect - least of all you and me)
For 2000 years, no one has articulated human excellence better than this. No one has defined right living more clearly or succinctly, and no one has established a better paradigm.
Ultimately, it is up to you. You are free to roam, free to circle, free to meander. But for me, I am gonna stay as close to the Way as I possibly can.
When they interviewed the walkers, they each described in detail how good they felt they were doing, how straight they seemed to be moving, how on target they thought they were. Wow, were they wrong! Without the point of reference in focus, guiding, they could not stay on course.
And that, my friends, is what life is like. Without an external point of reference we flounder and spin. I believe we each want what is best for ourselves and our families, but I know that people feel at best uncertain about what that actually looks like. The human tragedy aspect of it is that regardless of how we feel we are on target, our lives end up looking like the picture. And who wants to reflect on a life shaped like that at the end of their days. "I worked too much. I didn't really know my kids. I never forgave my father. I should have spend more time with my wife."
The Good News, is that there is a simple and accessible guiding standard, Jesus. Jesus taught a paradigm-busting set of truths, establishing himself as a model of living that no one in the history of humanity has undone or superseded:
1. Love God (keep your eyes on the target)
2. Love One Another (serve and welcome and give more than you get)
3. Do Not Judge (because nobody's perfect - least of all you and me)
For 2000 years, no one has articulated human excellence better than this. No one has defined right living more clearly or succinctly, and no one has established a better paradigm.
Ultimately, it is up to you. You are free to roam, free to circle, free to meander. But for me, I am gonna stay as close to the Way as I possibly can.