Before I get into this, I would like to submit a disclaimer: I am grateful for the opportunity to live here in the United States. I cannot deny that I have benefitted from much of this nation’s strength and love of liberty. This stated, one would be prudent to critically examine the fallibility of this great nation and to buck the infatuation kindled by patriotism.
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“The dominant American script is that which idolizes success, achievement, acquisition, technology, and militarism. It is the script of a superpower.” pg. 5
It seems to me that this is the standard by which we measure our own value and the value that we impose on others. If the odds of “success” are not favorable for one particular endeavor, it will not likely make the cut in our priorities. Efficiency and productivity dictate what may be allowed on our radar of attention. We see atrocities taking place in this world but if they do not contribute to that which we have idolized, they will never quite grab hold of our attention–at least not enough to ellicit a committed response.
” The cruciform is the posture of love and forgiveness where retaliation is abandoned and outcomes are entrusted to the hands of God. The cross is laden with mystery. At first glance it looks like anything but success. It looks like failure. It looks like defeat. It looks like death. It is death. But it is also the power and wisdom of God.” pg 6
I can’t help but think about how Paul challenges us to live this Christian life in Galatians 3:20 where he explains: “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and delivered Himself up for me.” The objective is death! For only in this death can we truly experience life as new creations free from the fallen nature of our humanity.
anothervapor 