October 13th - Being who you are or who they want you to be?

The story...

There's a guy I knew who experienced health changes that resulted in him being less inhibited and less likely to behave within group norm boundaries.  I look forward to his more interesting, vibrant, and refreshing group interactions.  He honestly breaks the rules- you don't know what he'll say next.  He's spontaneous and seems to speak from his heart.  He seems to skip the filters that most of us have refined throughout years by adapting to group behavior norms.  Actually, the group enforces the rules with both subtle and direct "means."

People are so much fun when they're more themselves rather than the role the group's assigned to them.  They're certainly better than when they attempt to "act" like the idealized role of who the "best" would be.  This is an argument for casual rather than formal dress within community; yet, there are times when we all do need to agree to be a better version of ourselves for the good of us all.  Formal dress does suggest the group's desire to act and behave according to a standard that might be more desirable and honorable.  "If everybody would just _____ everything would be fine - just like it use to be."

The only church in town would teach about the Body of Christ and the expected uniqueness of each of the members.  Like a body, there are mouths, ears, little-toes, knees, hair follicles, and eyes - each uniquely equipped to serve its role.  The body will not function well without each behaving "just as they are" as opposed to all trying to be like the mouth (1 Cor. 12:12-27).  They'd frequently remind each other of this mystical union that's facilitated and empowered by the Spirit of God - God working out His will amongst and through community.   We can actually enjoy each part of the body.

Just for today...

"Did this behavior get me what I wanted or encourage me to feel good about myself?  When I took a good look, I realized that the answer to the question was 'No.'  Loud, angry words and actions demonstrated my frustration and pushed away all hope for peaceful solutions to my problems . . . Easy does it."  Courage to Change (p. 287)

"Eyes off me; I see you - We need us; Need you too."
"Abide in Him; Safely sound - Be as one; Love abound."   Am I a Poet?