Musings: Notes From My Daybook

I have an invitation to speak to Covenant Christian High School's chapel tomorrow morning. In preparing my notes, I was reminded of a book by Arthur Miller. Here is an excerpt from tomorrow's notes:

A few years ago Arthur Miller wrote a book called, Why you Can’t Be Anything You Want to Be. (Zondervan, 1999). His thesis: the idea that a person can become anything they want to become is a myth. Rather, Miller suggests, each person receives God-given gifts that shape a person for certain tasks and work. People would be much better off if they would focus on their own native gifts and pursue what naturally fits them. And yet, he argues the myth of “becoming” persists. Why?
1. The myth of becoming is democratic and egalitarian—everyone has the same chance at wonderful or special places in life.
2. It is often drilled into us from “childhood.”
3. It is often used to try to motivate or manipulate us.
4. The idea of becoming possesses some truth.

Some principles to embrace:
1. God created you
2. Because of your Maker, you are uniquely you.
3. God intends for you to use the gifts and the brains and the strength that He has given to you.
4. God will hold you accountable for fruit produced from what makes you uniquely you.
5. Love and honor God by using your all that is yours to serve the world with excellence.

Can you become the anything you want to be? You can’t. But I will tell you this. You can be the person God wants you to be.

Thanks to Joe P, for the link to an insightful, indicting article by Stanley Hauerwas on Dietrich Bonhoeffer published by the Center of Theological Inquiry here.

Hauerwas takes up the topic of truthtelling--particularly in light of public, political process. Though a number of Bonhoeffer's works are known by my readers, including The Cost of Discipleship or Life Together, less known are some of his essays collected together in Rusty Swords. Bonhoeffer takes to task American theological education, especially when it comes to protecting unity or community. What is fair, not what is true is too often the question raised. In such an environment, the capacity to speak or hear Christian truth becomes distorted.

If the church today is more interested in getting along with political and cultural forces than it is in telling the truth about God, then what might be the sad result? I believe this to be a real temptation; it is appealing to think that the Christian church could polish up its tarnished image and look a little more attractive to a secular world.

Yet the real temptation lies in our commitment to be truthful in small ways. And perhaps the our truth-telling begins with our truthful listening--to nothing less than the Word of God as it speaks to us.