stereotype with vertical dimensions

[This is a blog from "the Weekly," our youth group's handout.  We're starting a series based on 1 Timothy 4:12]




Stereotype: A popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals.

Vertical Dimensions: A way of seeing the world around you based on a scale where the higher is better and the lower is worse.



Some people view "young" as a stereotype with vertical dimensions.  To them, to be young means to be irresponsible, selfish, disrespectful, reckless, clueless, out of control, and etc…  Some say, "The kids these days!"  And yet others rhetorically ask, "These young kids are our future?"  Some think that young people have less (or nothing at all) to offer.  Some people look right over the younger generations, as if they don't matter.  Some people view you this way.


The apostle Paul had something to say to "young" people.  He told us to set an example to anyone who would look down on us (have a stereotype with vertical dimensions).  Paul knew that the only way this vertical dimension would change, is if young people stepped up and proved that they don't fit into the molds of negative stereotypes.


A wise man once said, "There are only two things you can control in this life: your attitude and your actions."

This means something that impacts our lives.  It means that ultimately, we can't have control over other people; what they do or say.  It means that at the core of reality, the only thing we can truly control is ourself.


As young people, it is your responsibility to prove (through your attitude and actions) that this "stereotype with vertical dimensions," is wrong.  Being that you can only control your own attitude and your own actions, what are you willing to do?  Are you willing to set an example?  Are you willing to resist conforming to the stereotypes you've been placed in?


Remember, it's up to you.  
The ball is in your court.
It's in your hands.
People are watching to see what your next move is going to be...

Fr Alvin Kimel

"God doesn't give a damn about our sin.  It is we who give the damns.  We damn ourselves because we would rather justify ourselves, than be taken out of ourselves by the infinite love of God"

prove it on the court

A few years back, I lived in a town that had a Lifetime Fitness.  Now, if you don't know what Lifetime is, think of a huge facility that supports activities such as swimming, weight lifting, basketball, racquet ball, running, yoga, cycling, stretching, and tennis.

A group of my friends and I would make daily trips to Lifetime.  Our usual pattern was to lift weights and play basketball.  Sometimes we'd spend two or more hours a day "working out."

After lifting, we'd play basketball.  The tough part about playing basketball at lifetime was that you didn't know who was actually good and who was bad.  Strong athletic-looking people would come in and give the impression that they were good basketball players.  The first few trips up and down the court would usually give away the truth of their skill level.

So, imagine trying to put a team together.  Perhaps you ask the question, "Who plays basketball?"  Obviously everyone plays to some extent, otherwise they wouldn't be there.  The quality of their playing is what you're trying to get to the bottom of.  Therefore, the former question wouldn't really help narrow down who to pick for your team.

Perhaps you decide to pick players who look like they play basketball.  Perhaps you choose the strong and tall ones.  The problem is, just because a player is strong and tall doesn't make him a good basketball player.  Perhaps you choose the players wearing the nicest clothes and shoes.  Then again, this player may simply have more money to spend on "gear" than the others.  Unless you've seen a player play the game, you can't truly know if their good or not.  There may be clues along the way, but the truth comes when the game gets going.  I've seen guys able to talk the talk like no other, but when it comes to actually playing, they're horrible.  A person's "game" speaks for itself.  Their size, clothes, look, and ability to talk the game is extremely misleading.


The same sort of thing happens in our modern Christian communities.  Our churches are inhabited by those who own the nicest Bibles, sport the best clothes, wear religious jewelry (crosses and the like), and are able to smoothly talk the Christian lingo.  Believe it or not, their are pastors, priests and church attenders alike who demonstrate this kind of Christian superficiality.

        

 Jesus once said, "By their fruit you will recognize them…Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree              bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit…Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Essentially, whether someone says they're a Christian or a basketball player, the truth comes in how they play the game.  A true basketball player will demonstrate fundamentals (skills that are like building blocks) and they'll be able to implement them into a fast-paced game.  Likewise, a follower of Christ will possess characteristics that mimic that of Jesus.  A follower of Christ should be focused on Christ as his/her pattern or guide.  

Lately, I've personally been challenged.  I've come to the honest conclusion that most of the time I talk the talk better than I walk the walk.  I'm convicted, ashamed, and disappointed.  How is it that I can talk about the love of God with such excitement and passion, but it's not seen in some of my closest relationships?  How can I pursue to show the love of God to my community when I can't accomplish this objective in my own home or in my closest social circles?  This kind of thing keeps me up at night.  

These questions seem to linger over my head: 

• "Do people recognize me by my fruit?"   
• "Does God recognize me by my fruit?"
• "Do I walk it better than I live it?"
• "Is the love of God spilling out, exploding, reaching, and filling the every moments of my life?"

As Jesus finishes his "sermon on the mount," he concludes by saying this:

• "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

In basketball language…

   Do I "prove it on the court?"  Does my "game speak for itself?"

In the language of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount"…

   Do I live what I believe?  Does my life produce "good fruit?"  Am I "building my house  on the rock?"   

As Christians (no matter what stage or phase in the Christian life you may find yourself), my hope is that our heart's desire is to pursue to follow the Christ.  That we will follow Him today more than we did yesterday, and more tomorrow than we did today.  That we will continue to take steps in surrendering our hearts to the Lord.  And that we'll look at our world with an eager anticipation to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.