Theology and T-Swift: Six Practical Steps for 2018
If you were to ask my wife how much she loved Taylor Swift’s new album, I don’t know if there would be a number to describe her adoration of the new songs and rhythms. These melodies are on repeat quite often in our house, and I can’t help but take a listen to the lyrics and music every now and then.
One of the songs that Abbie specifically enjoys is called “I Did Something Bad” in which the pop star sings out, “They say I did something bad, then why's it feel so good? They say I did something bad, but why's it feel so good? Most fun I ever had and I'd do it over and over and over again if I could, It just felt so good, good.”
Not gonna lie, it’s a pretty catchy tune, but I was really struck by the lyrics of this song this last week. They say I did something bad, but why’s it feel so good? How often do we ask this question of God, of others, of ourselves? How often do we seek justification for things that seem questionable, but deliver a temporary feeling of ‘goodness’? How often do we look to our feelings as what defines us or shapes our entire vision of life? How often do we react from these feelings of what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
It seems like a normalcy in our world for humanity to create philosophies, identities, or visions based on temporary feelings that we experience. And, yes, these feelings may seem good or we can try to justify them as good, but ultimately, more times than not, we are settling for what feels good rather than what is best.
And, it’s quite easy to fall into this trap of looking at something that feels good, tastes good, or is defined culturally as good, and to simply settle for what others dictate as ‘good’. But, what if I were to tell you that you were not built for settling but for pioneering? What if I were to tell you that you were not created for a limited definition of ‘good’, but you have been engineered for an eternal vision and declaration of what is best.
As we cruise into the new year, I believe we are at a great moment in life and history to recognize the difference between settling for another person’s definition of good and the Creator’s explanation of what is best. And, as we recognize the best, we will see, receive, and live in the best for us: love. Love that experiences feelings but doesn’t define a person temporarily. Love that sacrifices beyond a momentary justification. Love that roots and grounds us in the height, depth, breadth, and length of eternity. Love that calls us beyond the fast reaction to the slow process of responding creatively, strategically, thoughtfully, and intentionally.
With this said, I want to encourage you to take some steps past the temporary fixes to enter into a posture of living from eternal connection with the One who is truly good and truly the best. I believe as we commit to these steps this year, we will see that 2018 will not only be actually good, but it may even be the best year we have lived yet. Here’s to that, amen.
1. Clarity — Before entering into a situation, event, relationship, workplace, school, decision, etc. first ask the hard questions of why, what, how, when, and where. The more you ask before you engage in an opportunity, the better prepared and clear you will be in the opportunity. The comedian, Michael Jr., says, “When you know your why, you have options on what your what can be.” Check out this video for the full piece of what he is saying.
2. Confidence — One of the biggest things I believe people are lacking in this age in time is confidence. There are many fleeting ideologies, feelings, or philosophies that come forth, but then shift down the road. But, when we are anchored to an eternal resource, a True North if you may, we are tethered to a reminder of perspective, hope, and grace in the midst of life’s storms. Friends, spend time with Jesus. Trust in His never-failing, always-present, forever-faithful love. In Him, we lack nothing—in other words, we are confident. Outside of Him, we lack—in other words, we are insecure. Be confident that who God says He is, is actually who He is, and who God says you are, is actually who you are.
3. Connection — As a strategic thinker, it is sometimes difficult for me to engage in the present. This can be with people, places, things, etc. but it is often hard for me to stay here when I want to be there. One of the greatest things we can do is to recognize that God is both here and there and that when we are more present with Him, we are more present with others and ourselves. Be present with God, be present with people, be present with yourself. Turn off your phone, your TV, your laptop, and be present. You’ll be amazed in your present connection and your future will be better if you do so now.
4. Communication — There are some days I just hate going on Facebook or Social Media. Not because I don’t like people, but mainly because people communicate before they think deeply about an issue. Scripturally, Christians are called to “speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but I think more often than not, we just love to speak the truth. See the difference? This ends up hurting more than building up. It ends up destroying more than giving opportunity. Think about this in conflict, or decision making, or relationships. The more we communicate, both in actions and words, from a grounding and rooting in love, the more we will be focused not on solving a problem but remaining in the relationship. Ultimately, if this was the focus of our conflict resolutions—relationship—we would see a whole lot more truth in our lives anyway. What can you do? Focus on love and relationship as a solution, and speak and act from that place first.
5. Community — Stop thinking you can do this thing called life alone. You were not designed for that and you will not accomplish it all by yourself. The most power you will find for breakthrough comes when you surround yourself with people who want to love you unto the best thing for you and them. This isn’t just settling for what one thinks is good, but we are actually challenging one another toward the best thing possible. This can be in places of sin, dreams, relationships, etc., but the more you run toward a community of love, the more you see support and encouragement along the way. And, when it really boils down to it, the more we live in community with one another, in true openness to loving encouragement and correction, the more we are revealing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a community of love to the world. What can you do? Grab some friends, share your heart, support one another, challenge one another, speak the truth in love.
6. Creativity — Finally, there’s far too much creativity in each one of us to keep bottled up and hidden away in fear of rejection, failure, or other lies that hinder us from sharing the image of God within. Creativity is joyful love that is expressed in our being and doing, and the more that we simply are with the Creator, the more we will do creatively. I’m so excited for the day that people turn to a joyful, loving creativity that prophetically calls for shifting rather than raising angry, violent, and partial protests for politics. We are members of Kingdom whose government is peace and family. Let’s create from that policy of family, from that party of freedom, from that hope of peace that will have no end. What can you do? Get outside your comfort zone, express your heart in connection to love, enjoy it, and share it.
Here’s to a joyfully creative, lovingly communal, intentionally communicated, deeply connected, humbly confident, and beautifully clear 2018. I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do in and through each one of you.
