It's You I Like

This past holiday, I fell down a rabbit hole. (Or more rightly, I got swept up in a tornado YouTube tornado...) It started innocently enough: a friend posted a video on Facebook where a percussionist had a GoPro strapped to his head to show what the pit looked like during “Good Morning Baltimore” from Hairspray. It was awesome! ‘Auxiliary percussion’ may not sound as glamorous as ‘set drummer’, but it’s incredibly important to the full sound of the orchestra. 

I watched one video, then another, and then I saw some videos of pit percussionists playing Defying Gravity—from a powerful musical about an incredible young woman who chooses to live for what’s right instead of what’s presently in vogue. Then I saw a few other songs from that musical, and finally an interview with the pit drummers for Hamilton.

I moved on with my day—even got to spend some time gaming on Zoom with my family. But later on that night, that song got stuck in my head again: 

I’m through accepting limits  ‘Cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change, But til I try, I’ll never know.

Too long I’ve been afraid of Losing love I guess I’ve lost; Well, if that’s love, It comes with much to high a cost!

I’d sooner buy defying gravity...

It caught me again so powerfully that I scoured the internet for a pay-to-view copy of a full performance. And then, when I had exhausted my resources, I stumbled upon a bootleg copy. (Yes—they exist... and there’s even one of the Original Broadway Cast out there, although the video quality is rough [and there are some ‘oops!’ moments—must’ve been a preview...]) Why not just listen to the soundtrack? Because—I remembered there was more to the plot, and I had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to what it meant than I had previously understood.

You see, when I first saw the musical about the ‘untold true story of the Witches of Oz,’ I was thrown by its title: Wicked. As an evangelical teen/early twenty-something--and a pastoral ministry student to boot--I was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of a musical that I perceived as teaching moral relativism: "teaching us how bad wasn’t really bad”; that, in fact, being ‘wicked’ is in the eye of the beholder. 

But I was wrong.

My perception of the point of the musical was about as far off as it could have been. I still believe that there are people who do objectively wicked things, but I had missed something. I had entered the theatre with a judgment already made, based on a label someone else had given to me. My fear of the word “wicked” had cause me to uncritically dismiss anything labeled as such. I had literally been the person the musical was trying to call out. Embarrassingly, I’m only just now grasping the power behind Elphaba’s story. She is remarkable: an exceptional young woman with a heart of kindness wrapped in insecurity, self-loathing, and abusive memories who finds strength to both love herself and stand against what is truly evil, even when vilified for it. Seething in righteous indignation over obvious injustices perpetuated both privately and in broad daylight, she chooses a life of exile and integrity--while evil people call her “wicked”--rather than one of popularity--through espousing what was truly detestable. 

Yes—the Wicked one ends up not being the Witch of the West. It ends up being the Wizard: the charlatan that fortuitously blew into power and now works to keep up appearances by feeding public frenzy and twisting the truth. “It’s not lying—it’s history!” The underlying rationale of the swindler behind the curtain? Moral ambiguities are fodder for public control. [And the Wizard’s press team swirls around him like a tornado, tearing down opposition “with her calumnies and lies”--she lies.]

That never happens in real life, of course... 

I mean, how often do we make villains of the very people suffering for doing good? How often do we paint a character over a person to satisfy our need to blame someone? How often does our togetherness come from hatred rather than love? (Those questions are rhetorical—but maybe you should answer them in your head...)

And how often are the people that we claim as “wonderful” indeed playing us?? When will we discover the difference between what’s really true and what we’re being told is true to manipulate our actions? What will we do?

As if to prove my point, if you’re still reading this, you’re probably trying to figure out which side I land on. You’re also probably thinking that the other side—the one you’ve always been taught to side against—is the one with the ‘wonderful wizard’ who’s really a first-class creep. But what if you’re actually on the ‘wizard’s’ side? What if you’re the one following the person manipulating public opinion (in part or on the whole) for the sake of personal gain?

Wizards will bluster in and bluster out. Some of them may run themselves out of hot air before they cause any harm. But some of them will irreparably hurt people while regularly inventing alternate narratives that say they are really doing right by those same people. Some of them will say anything to be able to take their place behind the curtain, pulling levers as “Oz the Great and Powerful.” And we shouldn’t let them.

But even if they do: we must not lose our sense of what is most right. And part of that is defending the dignity of those who are being trampled on by others. Whether they be mistreated captives, dehumanized to serve the agenda of the powerful, or individuals who have been silenced by fear for so long that they have forgotten their voice, we must restore the dignity of each individual through kindness and compassion. For those who claim to follow Jesus, this is not an option. No: it is, in fact, the surest call of the Savior who let himself be crucified as a ‘wicked man’ after having done nothing wrong. 

So, this summer, when people on either side of the limelight lie, telling you how what you’ve heard them say and seen them do isn’t really what you heard and saw, try three things:

First, choose not to perpetuate the abuse by espousing the lie. Don’t bear false witness to your country, your friends, or your ‘enemies’ for the sake of your candidate.

Second, be a person who does what’s kind and good, even if people villify you. The real villains here are the ones who are telling people who to hate.

And finally, be a person who is willing to listen to the other viewpoint—and who will protect even the people they disagree with. 

We need more Elphabas—more brave young women (and men too--and people of all ages!) who aren’t afraid to say and do what’s right. People who are willing to live out the ideals of honesty, decency, and respect for others, even when it costs them dearly. And people who are willing to fight to end lies, hatred, and abuse. We need them—and we need to celebrate them, too--because they call us back to our best.

It’s time to try defying gravity.

And when we do that?

Nobody in all of Oz No wizard that there is or was Is ever gonna bring [us] down

“We were voyagers! We were voyagers! We were voyagers! We were voyagerrrrs! ….

Why’d we stop?”

Last week, when I was visiting a friend, we watched a few episodes of a nineties TV show that had a huge following while it was on the air—and has a bigger following now thanks to DVD box sets and Netflix. In one of those episodes, the main characters were sitting around showing each other what they’d bought for Christmas. One of them pulled out a picture frame, and when he did, one of the other main characters gasped: “That’s my dad!” She had seen the picture that came in the frame, and she was amazed that—somehow—there was a picture of her dad on sale at a local store!

As you might imagine, the rest of that episode revolved around her discovery that the pictures her mother and grandmother had said were her dad were actually stock pictures of a random guy. As she sought out the truth, she learned that what she had believed about her dad didn’t reflect who he really was. Eventually, she found out where he lived; and the show ends with her deciding not to meet him, in fear that she would be disappointed.

When I saw that episode, I thought about our relationship with God. How often do we settle for ‘stock photos’ of Jesus that other people recommend, without really getting to know Him? How often do we mindlessly adopt what other people think about Jesus, rather than letting looking to Scripture to find out if that’s really who Jesus says He is?

When we’re in the Christian bookstore and we see a picture or a mug that says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11), does that really mean that Jesus will give us lots of money and an early retirement? Or when people on Facebook post before/after workout pictures with the caption, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13), does that actually mean that Jesus will give us bigger muscles—or will help us do whatever we want to do? Is Jesus’s idea of a full life really “live, laugh, love”?

When we start to realize that our ideas about Jesus have been shaped by what other people think instead of by who He really is, it can be a scary thing. We might be afraid that finding out who Jesus really is will be disappointing. And if we’re following Jesus to always be healthy, to always have lots of money, or to never have any problems, we will be disappointed—because Jesus doesn’t promise that.

So, what does Jesus really say in those Scriptures above? Well, here’s Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NIV):

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

In other words, ‘things aren’t going to go the way you’d prefer’ (the people of Israel didn’t want to be held captive in Babylon),  ‘but my plans for you are bigger than what’s happening right now: seek me with all your heart—you will find me.’

Or how about Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)?

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Paul (the writer of Philippians) is saying that Jesus is the one who satisfies—no matter what we have or don’t have. We can be content—and we can find joy no matter what happens to us—through Jesus who gives us strength.

Jesus doesn’t promise that life will be problem-free and full of health, wealth, and success—what He promises is something better. He promises us Himself, and He guarantees us that if we turn to Him, we will find that we will never need anything else: because we will get Him!

Today, I was going through some old stuff, and I found the description of mission God gave me while I was at my last church. I include it here because it is my hope that these desires remain a part of who I am. ...

We want to see people find hope, find family, and follow Jesus.

find hope.

We believe that a good relationship can change everything.

Specifically, we believe that a relationship with Jesus brings lasting peace, joy, and fulfillment--regardless of our circumstances. There is hope for your life--come find it with us.

“And our hope does not disappoint, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” - Romans 5:5

find family.

We believe that in Jesus, we find a new way of belonging--a new family.

In the family of God, worth isn’t measured by money, achievement, performance, or appearance; our sense of worth--and of the worth of others--comes from what Jesus has done for us. His unselfish love makes us--and keeps us--His family.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” - 1 John 3:1(a)

follow Jesus.

We believe Jesus is worth trusting. So we trust Him with all we are, with all we have, and with all we do. We follow Jesus in our own lives, and we follow Him into our world in service and mission--so that other people can know Him, too.

So, I got a smartphone last November—and I love it. There are so many more ways to be connected to people I care about, and hundreds of tools to help me keep track of my life. My favorite is Siri—my computerized personal attendant. She’s great! If I need to know something, all I have to do is call out: “Hey, Siri?”—and I can ask her whatever I want.

“Hey, Siri? Where’s a good place to eat tonight?” “There are several restaurants close to you. Two of the best are Palms Krystal Bar and Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders. Both get four stars. Palms Krystal Bar is just a few miles to your south. It serves moderately-priced food and has a four star rating. Would you like to try this one?” “Hey, Siri, how do I get home from here?” “Getting directions to home.”

I didn’t realize how much I’ve come to rely on Siri until I went to Canada—on a whim—this past week. I looked up a restaurant online, exchanged my money, and headed across the bridge. Halfway across, I saw the sign that said, “No Cell Phone Use,” and there began my troubles. When I got to the booth on the other side of the bridge, I couldn’t remember the name of my restaurant—and I couldn’t ask Siri, because that would have looked weird. I made it through, and then I attempted to ask Siri where the restaurant was:

“Hey Siri—where’s Sally’s?” (Mistake #1—it was Shelly’s) “I’m really sorry, but I can’t complete your request at this time. Please try again later.”

That’s what Siri says when wi-fi (my internet connection) is on, but not working correctly.

This is no time to panic… THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO PANIC! I’m lost, Siri is gone; I’m in a foreign country with no map and it’s all my fault!

…


Obviously, since I’m writing to you today, I didn’t get stuck in Canada. I was able to find my way home. But here’s what I realized:

I consult Siri at least 4-5 times on a slow day—even more when I’m somewhere unfamiliar. There is a comfort that I have found in knowing that I am connected to a knowledge that is beyond me. I have found new, exciting places based on Siri’s suggestions.

But Siri isn’t always reliable. She’s not always available; she doesn’t always know all the places in town—or which ones I might really like. Adventuring with Siri doesn’t carry with it the promise of satisfaction and joy, because in the end, Siri’s just a computer program.

But what if I—what if we—consulted God like we consult Siri. What if we turned to Him 4 or 5 times on a slow day? What if we listened to His voice through His Word? What if we allowed His Spirit to direct our day? What if we found comfort in His knowledge beyond us? What if we adventured with Jesus??

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18, NIV).

Isn’t that amazing? Jesus never leaves us—His Holy Spirit lives with us and in us! That means that, as Christians, we can venture into the unknown with complete confidence. Why? Because we can consult Him. Because we can listen to Him. Jesus is near—so near we can’t possibly understand it—in the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

World is loud, last nerve frays Paradox—this frantic daze. Fear of breaking, fear of shame Fear of staying crippled, same

In my attempt to find some space to unravel before God, I found myself at Starbucks. For some reason, Panera and Starbucks are my two ‘go-to’ places for moments of deep, de-stressing contemplation. Maybe because the food is good, or maybe its something more. But I feel a pull (call it yuppie, call it hipster, call it God) to these places often—and I’m blessed that my hometown has both.

I am a person.  

I share in the best (and worst) of what human beings have in common. I am not a duplicate. I am a unique conglomerate of molecules, cells, thoughts, feelings, experiences, and personality. I am different (not better or worse, just different) from every other person that has ever lived.

I am a Christian. 

I follow Jesus—not as a neat guy who said some cool stuff that makes me think, but as a real person who actively involves Himself in my life. I am in love with Him. My world revolves around Him. I go places just to be with Him. I rearrange my day to spend time with Him. I hang on His every word. I change how I do stuff to be like Him. I think about Him when I’m at home, when I’m at work, when I’m alone, when I’m with other people, when I eat, when I relax, when I’m happy or sad—I even think about Him in my dreams. I do everything I can to help other people see how awesome He is. I want them to love Him, too. My relationship with Him shapes who I am.

I met Jesus in a church—a place where other people who loved Him got together to talk about Him, to learn about Him, and to express their love for Him. I found that He didn’t just want to be an acquaintance of mine that I name drop here and there, but that He wanted an intimate friendship with me. He wanted me to love Him with my whole being—the same way that He loves me. Not everyone in my church loved Jesus like that—some people loved themselves or others more than they loved Him. But the people who did love Him wholeheartedly in my church helped me learn to love Him, too.

I went to a Christian college, where professors and friends showed me how to love Jesus even more—with my whole heart and my whole life. I learned to trust Him with everything in my life. Nothing I have or do is hidden from Him. Nothing in my life is off-limits to Him. He has rights to all of me. And He has given me all of Himself.

And the longer I am in this relationship, the more I want to be with Him.

I am a pastor.

I learned to love Jesus through the church, and now, I work to help the church be a place where other people can come to love Jesus, too. I want the church in my community, in my state, in my nation, and in my world to be a better reflection of Jesus’s love, and I work in partnership with Him to help the church be more and more like the kingdom of heaven here on earth.