See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mother_and_daughter_are_roller_skating.JPG
Mother and Daughter
At the insistence of my very own Gilmore Girls and with some long overdue time on my hands I began a Netflix marathon of watching this show. This show has taught me some lessons I could hardly have expected. The dynamic interaction between this single mom and teenage daughter makes me smile for I have my very own version of this relationship in my own family. I see the passion, love, fierce loyalty, and friendship they share: the laughter, tears, frustrations, fears, and pure joy they enjoy. I love the communication between them and frankly I realize I was much too serious a mom and needed to lighten up for everything is truly temporary. I see and feel the conflict between holding on and letting go………………I have been there……………
I found the disrespectful comments and portrayal of Christians quite distasteful at first. I say at first because it slowly dawned on me this is all too often how we the church folk appear to a watching world. In fact, we often behave this way in our homes, schools, and community. We appear arrogant, judgmental, unapproachable, narrow minded, and holier than thou. I came to see the use of Scripture and other references as a positive: At least they could quote it! (Isaiah 55:11) In the beginning, I wanted to turn it off and jump up on my soapbox and shout at my Gilmore Girls how terrible this show is and stuff a little more sanctimonious Christianese down their throats. I am so glad every time I nearly hit the off button on the remote, the urge to keep watching won out. The lessons were taught slowly and they were painful.
The characters in the show are all colorful and unique, though they scream, shout, disagree, argue, and act like total “nut cases.” They are a cross section of society into which God Himself came and has called us. Life is a journey and it is a struggle to live. I have always said it is easier to meet and get to know people in a bar than in a church. This is a sad fact. Yet, I tend to be very reserved and cautious when meeting people. It takes time, lots of time.
The Bible teaches us to stand out (Matthew 5:15-16) but all to often in our decisions to refrain from certain activities we shut out the very ones we want so desperately impact. Jesus went into the homes of “sinners;” He made the useless, useful. He called the outcast, the poor, the sick, the possessed (mentally ill), the ostracized, and the hated. Oh, that we could be like Jesus in THIS way! Oh, that we could branch out of our holy huddles and draw a hurting world into our world and share, not browbeat, our Good News of love, forgiveness, and belonging!
Yes, we are the scapegoats for a broken society. Jesus told us we would be persecuted. (Matthew 10:16-25) It is evident on this delightful sitcom: An uptight mother trying to raise a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord loses sight of her daughter’s God given talents in attempting to make her perfect and pure (and none of us are). Guilty! A cast of manipulating characters and the rebellion they insite all with the best of intentions. Guilty! A band of individuals looking for love and belonging and the lengths mankind will go to find it. Guilty! The pretentious grasping for appropriate appearances and living in fear of financial and reputation ruin. Guilty! Individuals experiencing the highs and lows of life and the internal war of decision making and the consequences that surely always follow. All are seeking a sense of control, belonging, and most of all LOVE! Each doing the best they can with what they know, yet gripped by the fear of failure
Jesus lived in a similar society. He showed us how to do it! He was not uptight, stressed, patronizing, manipulative, condescending, arrogant, loud, demanding, fearful, or selective. He was loving, loyal, inclusive, peaceful, courageous, able to confront with kindness, used stories, laughter, compassion, meals, holidays, and day to day life to pour into those with whom He came in contact. The result? He changed the world!!!!
Each of us were born with a God given destiny. First and foremost, God desires we find Him. Will you and I be His window of opportunity to make a difference in the life of another? Sometimes, we just need to relax and trust Him to use WHATEVER happens in our life! Jeremiah wrote it best: “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.”
So to my very own Gilmore Girls, THANK YOU for sharing your guilty pleasure. I am sure many a teachable moment presented itself; I too have learned a great deal about myself, the band of believers I am thankful to be a part of, and how I want to live out my days. I want to do what Jesus would do. Do you? If we do, we can change our world. Something to think about as we begin the New Year and “tread water until Jesus comes!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU
Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
