Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Of Anabaptists and Jewelry Stores

If you've ever been allowed to see my room, and few are, it was probably tidy for the most part; not because I keep a tidy room, but because I knew you were coming and had likewise prepared for the occasion. If you happened to be in my room on more than one occasion, and are the least bit observant, you probably noticed that while almost everything seemed to have a place, there was a lingering pile of homeless odds and ends sitting on the hope chest in the dormer.

Last week, I purposed to sort through this loathsome-but-oh-so-ever-present-and-in-need-of-help eyesore. The first (and last) item I picked up as I rummaged through the stack was a rather odd find that I had completely forgotten: my wristwatch. It is a piece that I purchased some time ago during a faze in my life when I found shiny objects to be fascinating, but it can no longer be worn because it met  its demise in a rather infamous fall into Beaver Lake (yes, in Canada). I noticed, however, that it was still keeping time, and all that really needed attention was the band, which had broken.

So I embarked into the unknown, and went to a jeweler to have it repaired and cleaned.

Upon entering the store, I turned my watch over to the nearest clerk, who then asked for a few minutes to look at it. With little else to do, I began to browse, and the array was dazzling. At one point, I stopped at a display of what appeared to be engagement rings (how would I know), and peered at a particularly lovely adornment made of silver and studded with several precious stones. Out of curiosity I checked the price.




After regaining my composure, I stood pondering what could possibly possess a person that would cause them to feel good about wearing something of such value. In fact, I thought it would almost feel devaluing as a person to wear such a thing. Before I could continue, my thoughts were interrupted by the clerk, who told me the jeweler would need to take a look at my watch, and that I should return to pick it up in a week.

Several days later, I returned to my pondering, but hard as I tried, I could not find a way to justify buying such a ring. However, another thought occurred to me. Before looking at the ring, I had briefly examined a display of imported Swiss watches. They were impressive, and as I further reconstructed the scene in my mind, I suspect my thoughts were probably going something like this:

I bet men with impact wear those watches. They probably rarely feel out of control... in fact, they are probably widely admired for their impact. 

They have what it takes.

They matter.

I am slowly realizing how easy it is for me to create an image of what masculinity looks like. Be it watches, cars, pastimes, relational skill, intellect, friends or any other countless number of things, I can easily form a mold of what a man is, and before too long, I am trying to conform to that mold. The result is usually frustration and shame, and I lose sight of myself as a person, and as God's adopted son.

Then, my Loving Father, through the gentle but often painful process of conviction, reminds me of who He is, and who I am. He calls me to lay aside my images, molds, and idols. He calls me to no longer be conformed, but transformed.

Conformation is painful. It involves pressing, squeezing, and breaking something into a shape that it is unnatural to that thing. Transformation is entirely different. It is a change at the very core of a thing that makes into something entirely different.

The world conforms. Just take a look at society: its full of molds and shapes, and it hates what does not fit those shapes. So often I go right along with this kind of approach to life, and the consequences are definitely not the abundant life Jesus talked about.

However, today God is offering something entirely different than what this world embraces. He is offering to transform us into something new, into what we were meant to be. When we set aside our ideas of what we should be, and embrace God's ideas of who we are, we are set free to be fully alive, and it will not be an unnatural conformation, but rather a deep  transformation! This is where true masculinity happens, and where true femininity is grounded.

This is where I learn that I matter. Even without a Swiss watch. Control is traded for trust, and admiration is traded for the approval of my Father.

Transformation isn't easy. It means dying to myself, but in doing so I gain life.

Romans 12:1-2





4 comments:

  1. Because I only have one minute Austin, all I can say is, "Wow!" And, Hallelujah! Blessings as you continue to write.

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  2. Austin, my dear cousin. You inspire me. Keep living for the Lord to your fullest potential! I believe you are. Miss you!

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  3. excellent thoughts, Austin! I look forward to reading more in the future; I believe you have a great start to your blogging endeavor. blessings!

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  4. interesting musings! Indeed, manhood is really validated by our heavenly Father!

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