Monday, April 2, 2012

two memoirs

Since mailing "the box" last Friday night, I've read two memoirs. Not books that I had to read. Books that I wanted to read.


Both books were first-person memoirs of the not-so-distant past. American individuals caught between cultures, advocating for improved living conditions for those who know no other reality. Recognizing the "american-ness" of American culture, but not preaching Western cures. And each book was really funny, too. While neither book was faith-based or Gospel-driven (though each author developed relationships with God in different ways) the intent of each book was similar. Tell Americans what it's like to live somewhere else. Let them know how complex other cultures are. Paint a picture of how complicated issues of poverty can be. And clearly direct funding to solutions.

(Ok, so my "book reviews" don't reveal any details of the plot. Don't worry. I've oversimplified the themes for your benefit as well.) Each memoir was a quick read (roughly 300 pages each). Books like these inspire me to be a person who takes risks for great, lasting change. But not to be the memoir-writing type.

My memoir would have funny cross-cultural stories to be sure. (At least 5 of them involve public urination...) But it might not be as marketable. Sure, I can fantasize that I am the heroine of my memoir, but that just isn't true. The story I wrote for my life didn't happen (and won't happen in the future, either.) Even my junior high teacher tales have a greater theme, though, than using the wrong word at the wrong time. 

At our WITLI board meeting yesterday morning, Tom pitched the vision that we would see "the impossible happen." As we follow Jesus, that becomes the theme of every memoir, the anthem of each life. Tonight, at church, one of our pastor's re-capped the church vision statement:
"People becoming the church, on the mission with Jesus to help heal the world."

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. --Philippians 4:13

(I had to revise this paragraph because it sounded too religious. You know, the false humility stuff that makes everyone else feel guilty about not being perfect...) Seriously, though, the memoir I wish to live won't captivate and entertain the masses. It might not even interest fellow idealists. Moreover, the memoir I hope to write is best plagiarized by the verse that has become my motto:

and find out what pleases the Lord. --Ephesians 5:10



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Ephesians 5

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

hey guys