daily life as life goes on . . .

Every generation feels like we are blazing a new trail.

We are.  Up to a point.  On the trail.

The point where we walk an old path is when we look at the rocks and foliage and sky.  The similarities to the past suddenly appear – in living colour. 

This is so with the current state of Western Christian ideals.  For the last few decades we have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) gone about exploring the culture’s current store of novelties.  This has happened in such varied areas as sexuality, or integrity, or even marketing.

Now we are at the state of calling for a council, a Diet, a creedal confession.  For those of you who look back as much as forward, you are already thinking such places as Constantinople, Wittenberg and even Worms.

The latest outpourings now come in online statements with signatories gained by electronic clicks.  Two that have come out most recently are:  The Nashville Statement:  a coalition for Biblical Sexuality; and A Reforming Catholic Confession:  A ‘mere’ protestant Statement of Faith to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

For others in the evangelical camp, you know of The Truth Project, and The Gospel Project, and who knows how many other projects designed to steer our education. 

Now we are into the affirming part of the mix.  To figure out how many of us are actually on the same side – because we have all been trying to live in the same camp for some time.

The next step will be the ‘Stand Firm, Hold Fast – here comes Trouble’ part.

Always the hardest part.

Well, here’s a new word for me!

An old concept, but packaged for a new generation.

A gig economy relates to the idea that people take temporary jobs and institutions contract with independent “contractors” for short term assignments.  Each job is a new “gig”.

With the downsizing of available resources, companies are looking for savings.  A contractor does not receive extra perks – like benefits, sick days, retirement contribution.  A highly experienced and resourced contractor can work for a short period – instead of being on the full-time payroll.

For the worker there is the opportunity to seek out life balance, to do what  you love, to charge what you think you are worth.

Of course, there are downsides to each of these approaches.  I’m not about to dispute that, nor to go into explanations.

The result is an increase in the sharing economy – where we will borrow or rent rather than buy; the gift economy – where we will head towards contributing to society from an altruistic bent; and the barter economy – where we will exchange what we have for what others have in a negotiated agreement.

Tax structures will change to try to assess and gain from these economies.  Workers will need to specialize – or at least be proficient at what they do.  Companies will need to reassess efficiencies.

As if the change from a word based to a visual society were not enough, now try and figure out the change from employer based job descriptions to employee based proficiencies.

And life goes on.

WWJD – another perspective from A.B. Simpson:

I had earlier this year mentioned that the book "In His Steps" was not wholly endorsed by A.B. Simpson – a contemporary to the writer – Charles Sheldon. Here is another indication:

– From A.B. Simpson’s Christ in the Bible series – XVII – Romans (Christian Publications), p. 266 –

"What would Jesus do?" is a simple question which will settle every difficulty, and always settle it on the side of love.

But we cannot answer this question rightly without having Jesus Himself in our hearts. We cannot act Christ. This is too grave a matter for acting. We must have Christ, and simply be natural and true to the life within us, and that life will act itself out.

A decade ago a friend of mine died.  These past few weeks I was going through some files and found a card on which I had jotted down some thoughts. 

Lloyd Orthner had been a dentist in our community, a church leader and a community spokesperson.  In the last year of his life (before his passing from cancer), I gleaned from him these thoughts, which are still relevant today:

Accept others for who they are.  God will do the changing.

Know people’s limitations.  Don’t just dismiss people.

Be involved in the community.

Don’t force things – care about people.

Be yourself – sincere in all  you do.

Be content where you are.

Not a bad list of virtues to live by. 

Life in Jesus is reflected in people like Lloyd, a winsome person who lived his life transparently following Jesus.