When I was little, I wanted to save the world. Well, not the whole world. Just every pup and kitt no one else wanted. The thought of anything or anyone being unloved...unwanted...was enough to break my child-sized heart.
I'm not so little anymore. I've learned I can't save the world. No matter how much I want to. Eventually, I'm not enough. It hurts. To want to but not be able to. To try and fall short.
I tell my boyfriend he can do anything. I sponsor kids in Africa. I listen to my coworkers. I help wherever I can. Still he struggles - famine spreads - tensions rise.
My help is like raindrops in the desert. We need a downpour.
I wonder if Jesus felt that. The emptiness of "not enough" when he wrapped his heart in human skin.
Those who came to him, he healed. He changed the molecular structure and behavior of his own creation to make wine for a wedding and food for hungry followers.
He walked with friends in crowded streets and ate with them at dinner parties. When he listened, I wonder if he heard the cry of every broken heart around the world.
If anyone could save us all. Surely it was he.
But he only "saved" for three years. And then he left. He said he had to leave so an invisible other could come. An other unlimited by the boundaries of human skin. An other who would help him save everyone.
And he trusted us to tell. And to "do" while telling. To let the invisible other "do" through our hands. Through our feet.
I still don't understand. I still don't feel "enough".
But I have a feeling our collective downpour is his way to save the world.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Journey Begins: The First Post
Well, it's the first post after the disclaimer, anyway.
I'm sure this statement will prompt a few comments, but I'm beginning to think people my age (30ish) have no business being single.
Let's face it - we cost too much. Living alone - driving alone - cooking for one. Bulk discounts don't apply. We spend more on ourselves, and on things that don't really matter (harder to splurge when it means a week of pb&j for more than just you).
And that's just our money. There may be an even larger gap in the productive use of our time. Unless you're out saving the world, penning the next great novel, or curing disease in a backyard lab, the time we aren't spending wiping noses or ironing hubby's shirts is probably keeping company with mine - invested in the latest TV series or online store.
Can we mention sex? God designed us to enjoy it and crave it as motivation for working it out with our spouse. Very helpful if you're married. Major issue if you're single.
But the biggest waste I see are side-effects of aloneness (which doesn't necessarily include loneliness). People journeying alone instead of spurring each other on to greater things. Children with less than two parents backing them. The lost opportunities of unchanged lives.
God wasn't kidding - it's not good when man is alone. Not necessarily bad, just apparently not as good as it could be. Unless of course you're called to be single. But that's another topic.
So what do we do about it? Lasso the first unmarried person you see Sunday morning? Pay eHarmony to find you a find...catch you a catch? Discipline yourself into a more productive, purer, Jesus-loving life of eternal impact than that of your married counterparts? Not bad ideas (except maybe for the lasso).
What say you?
I'm sure this statement will prompt a few comments, but I'm beginning to think people my age (30ish) have no business being single.
Let's face it - we cost too much. Living alone - driving alone - cooking for one. Bulk discounts don't apply. We spend more on ourselves, and on things that don't really matter (harder to splurge when it means a week of pb&j for more than just you).
And that's just our money. There may be an even larger gap in the productive use of our time. Unless you're out saving the world, penning the next great novel, or curing disease in a backyard lab, the time we aren't spending wiping noses or ironing hubby's shirts is probably keeping company with mine - invested in the latest TV series or online store.
Can we mention sex? God designed us to enjoy it and crave it as motivation for working it out with our spouse. Very helpful if you're married. Major issue if you're single.
But the biggest waste I see are side-effects of aloneness (which doesn't necessarily include loneliness). People journeying alone instead of spurring each other on to greater things. Children with less than two parents backing them. The lost opportunities of unchanged lives.
God wasn't kidding - it's not good when man is alone. Not necessarily bad, just apparently not as good as it could be. Unless of course you're called to be single. But that's another topic.
So what do we do about it? Lasso the first unmarried person you see Sunday morning? Pay eHarmony to find you a find...catch you a catch? Discipline yourself into a more productive, purer, Jesus-loving life of eternal impact than that of your married counterparts? Not bad ideas (except maybe for the lasso).
What say you?
Here it is - something new.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Disclaimer
TheSingleChristian.com is a collection of thoughts and ideas about what it's like to live as an unmarried Christian in modern America. The views and experiences expressed do not necessarily represent the views of TheSingleChristian.com, its creator/contributors, Christians anywhere, or God. Content may not always be biblical or even moral, as it is the expression of a developing Christian mind. Nothing herein should be construed as advice or counsel. Join the journey and share your road, but search out all things for yourself.
Here it is - something new.
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