I have a good friend with a big ol’ brain. Since I’m about to talk about Russia and get all KGB on your ass, we’ll keep his identity incognito and refer to him as “The Mysterious MPX.” Why? Because any moniker with an X sounds damn cool. I enjoy chewing on the deeper stuff of life with this Mysterious MPX. The average brain can keep like five plates spinning at one time. But the Mysterious MPX is capable of 50, easy, while on a unicycle… and peddling uphill… in the snow… with one foot… (you get the idea).
In all seriousness, the MMPX and I got into an interesting discussion about HBO’s rich new mini-series Chernobyl. For one thing, the score and music are extraordinary, literally an additional character carrying the story. The score virtually speaks lines, it’s such a powerful current flowing throughout. My one teeny gripe: I’m not crazy about foreign dramas not being acted in their native language. I don’t mind subtitles at all, I’m a nerd like that. And hearing mostly British actors call each other “comrade” is stultifying. But I’m hair-splitting.
What hits you square in the eye is the power of men and government as they control lives. In this case, the Soviet govt. under Mikhail Gorbachev that had not fully exercised its wings of glasnost. There was very much an iron grip of socialism with the state always being right, and men and women subjugating truth to what’s best for the state, no matter the consequence. The KGB had eyes on everyone, and in a fantastic scene, the head of the KGB points to the people who are following him.
This led to the MMPX and I asking how much leash does the Lord give us? Does He want us to pursue nuclear energy, or is that a Pandora’s Box too far above our pay-grade? Has our hubris overruled our need for safety? That tangent led to whether fire is equally dangerous. It certainly has proven benefits for warmth and cooking, but at what point does a valuable “thing” become a dangerous thing we should never have jiggered with in the first place. See, I told you the MMPX has expansive thoughts.
Now, before we go and beat up on those evil Russian baddies, are we really no different in our near robotic pursuit of capitalistic value? As soon as I dog-pile on the socialist state, I better toss hand grenades at the shortcuts I’ll take and backs I’ll stab to achieve my dreams of wealth and influence in our free will economy. Yes, at the end of the day, as Winston Churchill says,
No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
I agree. But I did pause during my two humanitarian aid trips to Cuba in the last 15 years. There the locals told me they don’t agree with their Communist government; but they also had no understanding of homelessness and abject poverty, because they don’t exist there.
Common Sense is Bad
Chernobyl seems like a good segue to a timeless devotional I read, Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Be warned, the great and mighty Oz as my friends and I call him, is a theological ass-kicking. Bring some bandages to this party, cuz your NOSE. WILL. BLEED. Like this little warm and fuzzy gem from May 30th:
Jesus Christ demands the same unrestrained, adventurous spirit in those who have placed their trust in Him that the natural man exhibits. If a person is ever going to do anything worthwhile, there will be times when he must risk everything by his leap in the dark. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold on to or believe through common sense, and leap by faith into what He says.
That’s a consistent theme with the great and mighty Oz — who by the way, probably had 2-3 giant Mastiffs that he kept full by feeding them cute little Toto’s as snackage. THAT’S how tough Oswald can be! He’s tough I tell ya’! Anyway, Oswald often speaks of common sense as the enemy of our state of mind. He goes against the grain of our modern US culture by pushing hard against the idea of staying in our robotic capitalistic lane. Oswald lands on the theologically accurate side of the fence that says, abandon yourself to a faith-driven life led by God. Can unequivocally guarantee the path will not include mention of retirement and a 401k plan. It will, however, lead to a boundary-removed life that in hindsight will be a 100x bigger adventure than you could dream. Why? Because you don’t have the faculties to dream as big a life as God can for you. Try this an exercise: dream as big as you can dream. Where do you land? Be honest. Probably a beautiful spouse, with tall, athletic Mensa-member kids; palatial estate, cars, great food and vacations. Now go find those outcomes in scripture. Even King Solomon lost his way with wealth and the Vegas-like accoutrements that accompanied his lifestyle.
The Mysterious MPX and I asked how would a person know when they are on the right path. The Russians thought their path was accurate then, and they and China think their system is the right path now, as do we Americans. Not intending to go down a path of which government is right, more about how individuals choose a path for the most fulfilling and impactful life. In my opinion, which I hope mirrors scripture, it should look WILDLY different than the American dream. There should be tangible evidence of surrendered service to your fellow man. In other words, surrendered agendas and dreams. There should be no mention of a 5-yr plan, no seashell collecting on sandy beaches, no never-ending golf excursions from 65-yrs old till six feet under. I’m not saying don’t enjoy the culture of fun, but don’t make a life of leisure the end goal. While the idea of surrendering dreams might sound horrible and saddening, the Lord who created you very well might show you dreams that satisfy the deepest recesses of your heart. And isn’t that the goal, anyway?
See ya next time. ML