(2 minutes read)
I’ll never forget the first time I felt completely outdated. We were going as a family to the Mall when my daughters asked me if was going with the trousers that I was wearing. I said yes and asked them what was wrong with my trousers. They answered: “dad they are old fashioned nobody wears those anymore only the elderly”.
Modernity always introduces new concepts in clothes, in automobiles, also in architecture. Not only the appearances undergo changes but also the ideas, the ideals, and the way life is interpreted. If the changes were only about the outward appearance it would be easy, to change the trousers would suffice, but to undergo a change of mentality is always harder and painful.
We learn to interpret life from the perspective of our environment. We interpret our reality influenced by our surroundings, initially by our parents and family and later on by our colleagues and friends. Usually that which is routine and common we classify as normal and desirable while what is different and new we see as abnormal and threatening.
Each generation interprets reality in a particular way consolidating its own values and expectations. The generational gap crisis is the clash of these different interpretations made from the same reality. The advantage that Christians have is that being citizens of the Kingdom of God they are influenced by what is lasting and unchanging rather than by what is transient and finite. This allows them to build an interpretation based on essence and not the looks.
The Christian life doesn’t consist in following a series of outdated religious dogmas but in satisfying the soul with the Living Water and sharing that water with others who are thirsty. If our spirituality is only based on rules we will stay outdated but if it is founded on the Lord Jesus we will always be renewed.
- How do you define religiosity and spirituality?
- What’s the difference between appearance and essence?
(River
with rejuvenating water, Psalms 1:1-3 / River with living water, John 7:37-38)
This took me to the confrontation between Paul and Peter in Galatians 2....Paul was essentially pushing Peter to go back into the heart of Salvation, faith in Jesus Christ and not "religiosity" as mentioned above...it is quite interesting that it is Paul challenging a "well seasoned" Apostle like Peter the rock which the kingdom would be built on. A clear generational clash but one that challenged the core of the Jewish culture with regards to the true essence of Salvation. I look at this clash with such interest thin king of your comments TC...it was Pual who had not been walking with Christ who challenged thise who have been walking with Christ first hand...Our we ready to hear from a new generation of leaders and possibly be bold enough to place them.in key leadership roles in order for the Army to move towards change that is anchored in essence rather than the outward appearance? What will it take for the Army leadership to show such brave decision making and while remaining true to faith that is agile and relevant?
ReplyDeleteTo add to what I mentioned above...I think Jim Collins supplied died this rather messy idea or point I am trying to get to..how do we as an Army from Corps to THQ "Preserve the core values of our faith and but change our practices"? Maybe we face the facts not in fear but in true reformation desire..
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