Pop Theology: "Work Hard Play Hard"

If you've read this post, or happen to live within a 5 mile radius of Rach and my's bachelorette pad, you probably know that I jam out on my morning runs. If the song doesn't have at least 160 bpm, its out. One of my new favorites just so happens to be David Guetta and Ne-Yo's "Work Hard Play Hard." Man that song gets me pumped.

Take a knee, yo.

Christians get a bad rap (pun not intended) when it comes to having fun. The unfortunate stereotype in our culture pictures us sitting around on our high horses with noses in the air and hands folded, watching as the rest of the world dances. We're pegged as boring and judgmental; our only amusement in life being fist-pumping to the Veggie Tales soundtrack.

Isn't it sad that this picture is the exact opposite of what Jesus had in mind for us?

I think, as Christians, we should be the funnest people on this planet. We have the one thing that makes life worth living - a relationship with the Creator and confidence that this world is not our end destination. Shouldn't that be reason to celebrate and live joyfully every single day?

Jesus worked hard. No doubt about that. If Jesus was hanging out on earth today, He would be on the cover of every leadership book written in the last decade. But what we fail to take into consideration is the fact that Jesus knew how to have a good time. He played hard (maybe not in the context Ne-Yo describes, but Jesus was human. He enjoyed life).

Hold on to your hymnals, people.

1. Jesus had a big group of friends. The Marion B-Dubs would be so annoyed if Jesus and His disciples came rolling in on a Friday night. Thirteen dudes with long beards and big appetites would have the wait staff scowling until they left unusually good tips. I wonder how Jesus would have liked His wings.

2. Jesus told the best stories. There is always that one friend who captures attention at social gatherings with entertaining tales. In the BC's, these were called parables.

3. Jesus went to parties. Once again, I say "parties" cautiously, because I can assure you that biblical parties looked a little different than the parties of today. But Jesus went to weddings and other social events to hang out. I'm a little jealous of those couples who were blessed enough to have Him in the audience. I want Jesus to do the toast at my wedding. Talk about perfection.

4. Jesus loved little kids. This one gets me every time. In His perfect humility, Jesus held babies and let toddlers sit on His lap. The Son of God forwent His busy schedule every now and again just to love on little kids. Um, wow. Pass me the tissues.

5. Jesus loved people. Relationships are the essence of life and what it means to be human. Building friendships with people is what we were created for, and our charge as Christians. Thus is why "high horse" stereotype is so frustrating, because it completely goes against our purpose on earth. Instead looking down our noses at everyone, we need to be right beside them, our arm around their shoulders.

Its time to get rocking and rolling and show the world what we're made of. Let's play.

Pop-theology: "We Can't Stop"

Like many other high-profile Disney Channel alumni deciding to take U-turn on their kid-friendly image, Miley Cyrus is giving the world an eye-full. And, like watching a derailed train hurdling straight for an ice-cream truck, the world can't look away.

Back in the day. 

I was driving along, minding my own business a few nights ago when I heard my trusty driving companion known as "The Radio" announce Miley's new song. Curiosity peaked, volume up.

It’s our party we can do what we want
It’s our party we can say what we want
It’s our party we can love who we want
We can kiss who we want
We can see who we want

Oh boy.

That ice cream truck is doomed.

After some more rhetoric concerning girls with big butts and bathroom lines (not those kind of lines, the other kind), a few verses really caught my attention. 

Remember only God can judge us
Forget the haters cause somebody loves ya

Hmmm. She may have a point there. It is true only God's opinion truly matters. With that said, I find it interesting how easily the phrasing just rolls off the tongue. I don't know about anyone else, but Judgement Day, to me, sounds like no joking matter. In fact, it kind of scares the fire and brimstone out of me. In Matthew, Jesus says we will have to take responsibility for EVERY word and thought and action. Whoa. Thinking about standing in front of the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and Omega, the Lord of Lords, who knew me before I was born...WOW. I cannot even fathom that conversation. 

How often to I say and do and think things that are not pleasing to God, but I just try to shake off the Holy Spirit because, hey, it doesn't matter, somebody loves me, its not a big deal, etc?

The song continues...

It’s our party we can do what we want to
It’s our house we can love who we want to
It’s our song we can sing if we want to
It’s my mouth I can say what I want to

Miley, Miley, Miley. I hate to burst your bubble, but if the whole world operated under this philosophy, it would have burned to the core about....1,000 years ago.

The idea that its your party, your house, your song, your mouth, so to the incinerator with what everybody else thinks, as well as what happens as a result, is pretty backwards. In American culture, the notion of instant gratification without thought to consequence (see also, YOLO) is a common lifestyle. Many believe that, A. my choices only affect me, and, B. my choices do not impact the future. 

What Miley fails to consider is the law as old as time known as "cause and effect." Actions have repercussions. We (myself included) often get stuck in "the now." It is an easy mindset to fall into, because "now" is all we see. However, in 2 Corinthians, Paul states, "but we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the the things that are unseen are eternal." So why are we wasting time doing things that "feel good now" but have absolutely no eternal value? 

One of these days, we will all look back on our lives and how we've spent them. One of my biggest fears is getting to this place and realizing I was a bad steward of time. When I stand before God when my time on earth has ended to give an account, I want nothing more than for Him to smile and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

Where in my life do I need to re-prioritize to make sure I'm not stuck in "today"?

Miley, though I don't agree with your philosophy, thanks for getting me to pause and evaluate life for a second. 

Pop-theology: When God shows up in pop culture

Living in the same house as a 10-year-old four months out of the year, I get an all-access pass to all things One Direction round the clock. I also am kept up-to-date with concert ticket prices and new songs by the “too cute” boyband. The latter I have actually come to appreciate, because, in all honesty, the little British buggers aren’t so bad.

{I don't always take "selfies," but when I do, I make sure cardboard celebrities are included.}

The other day, I was in my car singing along to the 1D “oldie but goodie” “What Makes You Beautiful” and mentally doing the Just Dance routine to the song (it happens). When I started really listening in to the lyrics, however, I could have shouted “eureka!” While the song is obviously originally intended for a bashful British babe, the message of could also be a love song from God to His children.

“You’re insecure,

don’t know what for,”

At times, I find myself talking to God with my head down, insecure due to daily screw-ups and hang-ups. But, God looks past my imperfections and sees me as His own.

“Don’t need make-up,

to cover up,

being the way that you are is enough.”

I don’t need to work extra hard to please God. All He asks is that I love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

“You light up my world like nobody else”

God loves humanity SO MUCH! We are so special to Him. Otherwise He wouldn’t have let His own son be brutally killed just so we could be with Him forever.

“You don’t know,

Oh, oh,

You don’t know you’re beautiful.”

We don’t see ourselves the way God sees us!

“If only you saw what I can see,

You’ll understand why I want you so desperately,

Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe,

You don’t know,

Oh, oh,

You don’t know you’re beautiful.”

God wants a friendship with every person so badly because of His extravagant love. 

You are beautiful in God’s eyes!