Family First

It is always so interesting the things that make the mind go into overdrive. Sometimes it is the way the sunshine filters through the leaves as a summer breeze rustles them and flickers the changing light, and sometimes it is something as simple as a strain of soft music, and sometimes it is something as un-poetic as  a movie quote.

Last night a few of the guys and I watched the movie "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. I wasn't really paying all that much attention to the beginning, as I have seen the movie before and I knew roughly what was happening. My attention was caught by a change in the sound volume right before the scene cut to the South Carolina assembly. The scene opens with an introduction of a colonel from the Continental Army who briefly explains the predicament of the Continental Army and the American war effort, concluding by asking for SC to pass a levy for an SC State Militia. When he finishes, a few of the assemblymen volley the debate back and forth for a moment. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) stands and begins to advocate pacifism he finally says, "I will not fight, and because I won't, I will not cast a vote that will send others to fight in my stead." The Colonel immediately challenges and asks, "And your principals?" To which Martin replies:

"I am a parent, I haven't got the luxury of principals!"

This line really struck me. At first I thought as many of the other characters did that Martin had been so scarred by his last encounter with warfare that he simply sought an excuse to not participate. However, upon more careful consideration I realized  a part of the equation that I was missing--though it is blindingly obvious throughout the rest of the movie. Martin's first responsibility was to his family. He valued the unity and the safety of his family above his own desire to have a free nation. He is the only parent left to his children and they are more important to him than his own peace of mind.

He eventually attacks the British after one of his sons has died at their hand and another is en route to be hanged. He rescues his captive son and takes the rest of his children to safety before he begins to fight. Throughout the movie he continues to emphasize the duty to family first and the cause second. Tragically I think that is something that has been lost in our culture.

The very first type of community that God created was family, even relationship with in the Trinity is defined in familial terms. Clearly family is important to our Lord.

I personally have been learning a lot about loving my family well and making sure that they come first. I am beginning to realize that without that support network life is just harder. I am by no means free from the cultural influence of individualism and the temptation to turn my back on my family as Gabriel does in the movie. The interesting thing that the movie shows (unique among it's fellows) is that Gabriel ends up regretting his abandonment of his family and admits his error to his father. But, I digress. I think that it is our responsibility as the upcoming generation to make family important again. Our parents' influence can only go so far in the upcoming years and decades; these next years belong to us. The way that we treat our parents and siblings now is indicative of how we will raise our families in the next years, and I for one want my family to be solid and strong, and for their commitment to be...Family First.

Battling Monotony

Monotony--have you ever thought about where that word comes from? I love words, and discovering where a word comes from gives it so much more meaning. Monotony was originally a musical term for a measure or a group of measures that repeated the same note. "Mono," = one, and "tony," = pertaining to a musical note. Understanding the origin of that word make one realize the absolute tragedy of describing one's life in those terms. By saying that my life is monotonous, I am saying that intricacy of the melody that makes up my life has become dull and redundant.

My life often feels like it is just floating past me and I'm watching from the outside as someone else walks and talks and laughs. I think this is just my own apathy binding me to watch as I am unsuccessful at task after task. This apathy creeps into me and then the routine of every day begins to feel monotonous. I think the thing the Lord has been showing me for the last few days is that routine does not have to be monotonous--a strong rhythm in a song only makes it that much more inspiring. However if I allow apathy to color each day, the melody will begin to play the same note, over and over again. That is monotony.

I am told to do two things each morning. First, I am told to pick up my cross and follow Jesus Christ. Second, I am told to seek the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to my day. Neither one of these tasks are things I can do apathetically, they require a conscious act of will and and super-natural strength and stamina. Me, I don't have either super-strength or super-stamina...oh well. However, I am promised that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" That's a pretty big promise, and not one that I take lightly. Breaking a monotonous strain of music takes a master--which I am not. But Christ-who-strengthens-me is a master to dwarf all others. Music was His masterpiece before the stars glittered and sun shone.

The lesson I have been taught in the last few days is that breaking monotony is as simple and complicated as seeking the Kingdom and bearing my cross--Jesus does the song writing from there. Once I choose to follow my King and lay aside my apathy, the beautiful complexity of the melody of my life spirals heavenward once again. The beauty of the music is only accented by the consistent rhythm of each day.