Simul justus et pecator - Simultaneously saint and sinner.
Hiatus?
Posted On: July 10th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
My poor, neglected blog. As I finally write in it, I feel sad that I’ve neglected it. But, such is life.
I recently graduated from high school. Not to purposely take away from the achievements of high school graduates, but graduating from high school isn’t all that impressive. At least, during this point in my life, it doesn’t seem that way.
I didn’t think it would happen, like it was a dream. The flurry of activity before the “big day” foreshadowed the event as something probably too good to be true. I almost convinced myself that something - anything - was doomed to happen that would terminate my graduation and, therefore, my dream of becoming a veterinarian. Of course, nothing happened, and I walked across the stage like everyone else.
I never cried, even during my last day, surrounded by depressed friends, and the exchange of hugs, good luck wishes, and admittedly empty promises to get together over the summer. It fills the gap of awkwardness, knowing there is nothing else to say.
As is typical of most high school age groups, one of the senior graduates would lose his or her life. In our case, Steve died in a terrible car accident, a month away before receiving his diploma. His girlfriend and best friend did take the piece of paper for him; it was useless to Steve and alcohol in the wound following his death, a painful reminder that he didn’t live long enough to hold that piece of paper himself.
Are we too young to die? It’s a thought we’d much rather quickly forget. Death is a morbid, terrible reality. And yet, as easily as flicking a light switch off, there it goes - Every compounded year of blood, sweat, and tears detailing a person with such a history that the theory of evolution makes a complete mockery of its complexity. As Job lamented, all of his family and earthly belongings decimated at the hand of Satan, “Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:1) Why were so many secular years wasted for nothing? And to be on the knife’s edge between life and death, “…life is but a breath” (Psalm 39:5).
Can this get even more depressing, you may ask? You may be screaming, Rachel, lighten up!
Oh, but there’s more. Do you have your happy pills ready? Dear Lord, not another charismatic freak sitting there telling the world they’re predisposed to hell.
Thankfully, Lutherans are not charismatic freaks.
Don’t worry, we sit in our living rooms and laugh at Joel Osteen too.
In fact, we drink beer [legally].
It’s German. Martin Luther was German. Connection? Probably.
The greatest thing about being Christian is having the glorious hope of everlasting life. You know, that hope that makes atheists think we’re delirious. The greatest thing about being Lutheran is having the glorious hope of faith alone taking you there: pure, unadulterated faith in Christ. None of those “Hail Mary“, “Bless me Father for I have sinned“, “I accept Jesus,” “I’m in love with Jesus,” and especially NOT, “I have sinned so much God can’t possibly have enough forgiveness to cover me.”
And you thought the concept of establishing mental stability in Iran was a far-fetched concept. What are Lutherans thinking? Are we that cool that God does all the work for us?
Actually, we are so dirty we can’t clean ourselves. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a): We’re so high in debt over our heads that we’re damned to death, and death quite literally. This is the death that lasts forever: hell. I did, however, leave a section of that verse out. The rest says, “…but the gift of God is eternal life, in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Gifts don’t require wages from the receiver. God gives it to us freely and without payment. It’s impossible to give a gift to someone who doesn’t even believe you exist or have any power to give them that gift. Therefore, faith in Jesus Christ as God is the ticket in. In fact, it’s the only ticket in. This is the rich Gospel Word of God that is the concentrated salve for a world burning in the despair that is called sin. It’s not a diluted promise: Do this list of good things and God forgives you. No way. God forgives you because you’re sorry. Payment is not an issue; that transaction was completed hundreds of years ago when God’s very Son was sacrificed for the messed up world.
Am I ready to get into a car accident? Absolutely not. The very concept is enough to scare me into mostly obeying the speed limit. Am I ready to die? You bet! Of course, the way that was just said could be misleading. I’m not looking to die anytime to soon, but I’m content in how it’s going to end. I have nothing to lose from not being here, besides egotistical coworkers and a lousy Blue State that smells constantly of manure.
And with that, I plunge headlong into the violently exciting and confusing land of college. Finding a church I was happy with is a completely different story - The one I’m going to attend weekly while I’m away is probably going to end up being 45 minutes away.
I’m a picky little PK.
Comments:
Re: Hiatus?
Posted On: July 10th, 2007 at 9:45 pm by Roxann
What is it in life that makes us wish we were other than we are? I must admit to being more than I ought jealous of your ability to explain your faith (apparently) easily and (definitely) clearly and effectively. Good for you, on that. And your ability and willingness to travel so far to church. Would that I could.
I'm now just on the other side of graduation- but for me, from veterinary school, not high school. I had to smile at your observations on graduation- they were mostly right on, and you are wise far beyond your years. Best of luck to you in college- I am confident that you will do well.
Re: Hiatus?
Posted On: July 14th, 2007 at 9:06 pm by Anna Joy
I kinda felt the same way. The end of highschool felt like the beginning of the rest of my life, so it wasn't that sad for me. You're at the point where you're not done with school yet...just kind of in between... God bless you as you begin your college career!
Re: Hiatus?
Posted On: July 31st, 2007 at 4:44 pm by Rick Weiss
The questions you ask, are also addressed here
How Much Has Christianity Cost You? by Paul Washer
Posted On: August 08th, 2007 at 1:26 pm by Aaron Nemoyer
I'm the last comer here, but I still comment. As always, thank you for posting. I'd been missing your long insightful blog posts. Reading your blog is always a pleasure.
