Thoughts on Christian apologetics, the meaning of life, and anything else.

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about Facebook.  With no small amount of chagrin, we lamented that we are in fact addicted to Facebook for many reasons.  One of the best features that we both like is the status updates.  Some people can really make you laugh, and it is always entertaining to read them.  She said, “I always feel pressure to come up with something witty to say.”  

I thought of something when she said that.  She made a very interesting observation and a very basic look at human nature.  Just like in most social situations, we are concerned about how we look and how we are coming across to others.  No matter how secure you are, you want to look your best.  Even realizing this, it is still hard to consciously keep this in mind when you are in social situations.

I like to be amused when I read status updates just like everyone, but even the ones that might be considered ‘dull’ are just as entertaining because I just like to keep up with my friends and see what is going on in their lives.  You don’t have to be witty to connect with someone, and if everyone is looking at themselves then why should it matter what you look like?

A few days ago I watched Alex Rodriguez of the NY Yankees confess in a television interview that he used steroids several years back.  For those of you who don’t follow sports, hate baseball, or just don’t care, A-Rod (as he is called) is one of the biggest sports stars in the world.  He is good at what he does, makes enough money to run a small country, and dates Madonna (or did!).  The fact that he admitted that he did steroids is a big deal, but that’s not what I want to focus on.  It was pointed out by Peter Gammons (the guy who did the interview) that A-Rod was very emotional (although emotionally focused on camera), and astonishingly seemed to be insecure about his image, etc.  I am paraphrasing a little with his wording, so that is not a direct quote, but he basically noticed that here is a guy with ‘everything’ and he is still worried about what others think, just like you and me.  Colin Cowherd (of ESPN radio) also noted on his radio show today that “The bigger the star, the bigger the insecurity.  That’s what makes them successful and drives them.” 

Why do we all long to be important and accepted?  Why do we all worry about what others think?  Why do we all on our basic level of human nature have a need to be secure?  

After God created the world, and after Adam and Eve did their little ego stunt and got kicked out of the garden of Eden, they starting having kids (including the famous Cain & Abel), and generations of descendants began to roam the earth.  They did some work during the day, had dinner and watched movies at night, hung out on the weekends, and just basically lived life.  

But that wasn’t good enough for people – they realized something was missing - and the Bible says that they “began to call upon the name of the LORD”.  They were restless, and realized that they needed God, his connection, and his security.  

Inside each one of us the longing to connect with our Lord God – the creator of all the universe.  It is demonstrated in life in many ways, and I am only touching on one little example of how that is relevant in daily life and in society.  

We all have that need, and when things are going great, we can mask it but it never goes away – it just gets supressed.  Just living in the Matrix, digging the scene.  Even the greatest, most ‘fulfilled’ people in society have that need, and it is easy to see if you are looking.  

We have magnets inside of us, and they pull us to our Lord God.  You can’t see the pull, but it’s there, and it’s always on.  Our security comes from our Lord – through God’s son Jesus, to be specific.  Connect with him, and find the meaning of life.  

Later.