Author: Jason Metz

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

But you were unwilling, and you said,

“No! We will flee upon horses”;

    therefore you shall flee away;

and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;

    therefore your pursuers shall be swift.

– Isaiah 30:15

Technology is a great thing. Few can argue the point that technology helps us save time, allows us to do things that seemed impossible a few decades ago and when used correctly brings the world closer. The smart phone has allowed us to condense many different things into one convent package. A camera, a calculator, a calendar, a computer, a way to check our email and let’s not forget a phone complete with our personal phone book. The convenience cannot be denied, as long as you keep it charged, updated, protected and on your person.

But then there are those times. Those times when our technology slows down. Our phone begins to act a little sluggish like a constipated elephant. Too much this or that running, too many pictures, too many open apps. Bloated information that we probably don’t need. Maybe our phone is just too old to keep up with all the updates. Whatever the reason, in a world that expects instant gratification, we want what we want and we want it right now. When our phone or any other piece of technology isn’t working correctly an overwhelming frustration drives the most patient person to contemplate finding the nearest hammer.

So we ask an expert or call tech support or run to google, if we have another working device available that is. The answers and advice seem to always be the same. Turn it off, unplug it, restart the operating system. That should always be the first step because it’s the easiest and it often solves the problem. 

That break in the normal process, a simple disconnect works wonders. So often in our busy, activity packed, stressful lives, we too need a reset. Taking time to simply unplug from the world is most likely something we all know we need to do, but how often do we actually do it?

The world never relents. It is in constant motion grinding on us, wearing us down, forever taking from us and never giving back. With every year, the machine only gets bigger and the noise, the activity, the pull from every direction on us only increases. 

When the world is pulling on us, dragging us down into what seems like a bottomless pit, the best thing we can do is to step away from the struggle. By breaking the resistance, the tension is released. The hardest lesson for many to learn is to simply let go by unplugging for an hour or a day or even a week. That’s what vacations are meant to accomplish. However, far too many times we find ourselves more tired, more stressed and potentially in a worse off place because instead of taking a break, we packed way too much into that time away.   

When we intentionally take time and dedicate it to the Lord, a refreshing cascades over us. Nothing else can accomplish this because there is nothing else that compares to quietly sitting with the Holy Spirit. Matthew 11:28 is an important verse we need to be keeping front and center. Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  

Is it time to unplug, to reset yourself in the Lord, to take a break from the normal course of the world?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

– Romans 15:13

Many long for the happy go lucky, not a care in the world, everything is copasetic view of the world. Is this a reality or just a pipedream? The advertising machine that drives our materialistic fetish with things seeks to convince it is. And the marketing business is well oiled and effective. We are often told that we deserve this or that and if we take the time to read between the lines, the implication is that their product will bring happiness into our lives. And don’t we all deserve to be happy after all?

It is dangerous to think we can be happy all the time. It can be deadly (spiritually as well as emotionally or physically) to prioritize happiness in our life. When we focus on seeking what makes us happy, the disappointment and letdown becomes immense. What becomes glaringly problematic is the everchanging and subjective nature of happiness. What may make one person happy is not the same thing that makes others happy. The result of this ever changing idea of happiness is capitalized by consumer marketing and social media influencers. The ugly reality is that they are attempting to sell you on their unattainable product of happiness.

Joy on the other hand is vastly different from happiness. While happiness is an emotional response, joy is founded in an identity in Christ. Joy in the Lord is rooted in the comfort of knowing Jesus and living within His care and authority. To experience joy is much different than seeking emotional gratification through life’s circumstances.

Joy enables us to celebrate Christ, to endure pain, agony, trials and tribulations, to extend compassion, to acknowledge the greatness of God and to pick up and carry our cross daily – simultaneously. The reason is, joy is not found in our abilities or what the world has to offer. Contrary to happiness, joy is a component of the Fruit of the Spirit. Because joy is found in the Lord, it is not limited to what the world has to offer.

In Romans, Paul shows that joy and peace come from believing in Christ who encompasses hope. It should not be hard for us to see the connection between joy, peace and hope, even in the darkest of valleys as well as the highest of mountaintops. Paul goes on to state that this reciprocates through the Holy Spirit, so that we may abound in even more hope. It is a perpetual synergistic cycle.

Through the experience and expression of our faith, the Lord’s joy and peace come into our life. Hope emanates from here and a snowball effect begins to occur in the born again believer. Our joy grows, our peace abounds and our hope overflows, continually as we trust and follow the Lord. 

Nothing on this earth can come close to what God can do in our life. Therefore seeking happiness and making an idol will always fail. Happiness has a component in our life like our other emotions like sorrow, anxiety, sadness or surprise. However, just like all our emotions, they are never to drive us, but rather direct us to the loving arms of Jesus.

If you are struggling with the wants and cares of this world, running on the hamster wheel of emotions, never getting anywhere and in fact losing ground, it’s time to simply stop. Move away for your own effort and seek the standards of His Word. Look to the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to redefine and refine your relationship with Christ.

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

– 1 Timothy 1:17

We live in a disposable society. That’s an unfortunate but accurate statement. It seems people have slowly become accustomed to moving on from just about everything they encounter in life.

In today’s ever changing materialistic economy are we encouraged to buy new, to upgrade, to simply dispose of appliances, automobiles and really anything mechanically based. Gone are the days when the local repair shops were busy, teeming with everything from broken toasters to transistor radios. This has been replaced with landfills full of washers and refrigerators barely five years old.

Technological devices turnover at an even more rapid pace. Not only have we been convinced we need the latest and the greatest, the tech companies urge our compliance by outdated software and eliminating upgrades. For the younger generations this has simply become the normal practice.

Unfortunately a disposable mindset has even invaded our social norms. Marriage, family and friendships are easier to walk away from than ever before. Instead of seeking reconciliation, in many cases the option for estrangement and alienation allows pride and unforgiveness to take root.

For the Christian specifically, the idea of a disposable church continues to grow. A consumer driven attitude has encouraged immature Christians to jump from church to church avoiding authentic community, needed conviction and offensive Biblical truth.

The most disgorging aspect of living in a disposable society is when it overflows into how we view life. Abortion is the blackest abyss that any culture can ever fall into. It is reprehensible that human life at any point from conception to the sick and elderly could ever be viewed as something we can simply throw away because those are deemed as unnecessary or irrelevant.

One of the fundamental aspects of God is His eternal nature. Without a beginning nor an ending, God is literally everlasting. It is a wonderful attribute that He passes on to us through His Son. The Bible is full of accounts where broken people are called and used by God to do great things. In the Gospels we see Jesus concerning Himself with those that had been deemed unfit and disposable. The broken and blind, the sinful and the sick found repair so to speak in the words and touch of Christ. Because the Lord seeks restoration over refuse attests to His overall attitude on life itself. 

If we are to aspire to be like Christ, that means we must also adopt His views on life, reconciliation and relationships. This can only be done through a born again relationship and the subsequent empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus profoundly expresses the dichotomy between disposal and repair in John 10:10. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

As Christians, we are obligated to model Christ’s example of life to those around us and to a world shrouded in darkness.

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

– Acts 20:24

What do you picture when you hear the word retire? Most likely the first thing that comes to mind is someone who has reached a certain age and is leaving the job market. They have put in their years and have come to a place where all the toil of employment is now behind them and they can spend their golden years doing whatever their heart desires. At least that is the image that has been portrayed in the last century.

Now think about the word recess. What comes to mind? For most, it will harken back to the past years of elementary school. Those wonderful times the children took a break from the challenge of sitting still as the teacher attempted to shape their young minds. Recess was invigorating because it allowed a time for a break, a time to reset, a time to allow the mind to unfocus so it could then refocus. The really good teachers understand the importance of recess and strategically use this break time as a way to cultivate and focus the learning process.

Two different words that encourage very different initial thoughts. One is deemed appropriate for the older crowd and we tend to think they deserve it because they have earned it. The other, the younger crowd who needs it in order to keep them under control for the more important things.

But have you ever thought about retirement and recess from a Biblical and faith perspective? A Biblical view of retirement is much different then what is embraced today. The modern idea of a leisure-based retirement is a first-world cultural invention. On the other hand, the Bible views retirement as a reassignment, not a retreat. It is a transition of activity and the important use of experience. The transition into the more mature years of life should be a time for the sharing of wisdom and looked at as a shift in vocation rather than an excuse for withdrawal for personal enjoyment.

The idea of a recess is much different. The pattern of work and rest was established in creation. A recess should be thought of as a deliberate time of rest or in Biblical language a sabbath or sabbatical. It serves as a time of withdrawing from the day to day activities of ministry.

Numerous times, Jesus withdrew from the crowds to pray and spend time with His Father. There are three main principles we can learn from Jesus in terms of a recess. First, a recess protects us from burnout. No matter how much we love people and talking about Jesus, we need a break in order to keep our focus on the bigger picture. Second, a time of recess is needed to find and reestablish clarity and focus on the Holy Spirit. In silence, we position ourselves to be able to hear God’s voice. Third, when we place a priority on recess we demonstrate our dependence on Christ as our Lord and sustainer. Modeling the practice of dedicated rest is an example to others that the love of God includes His care for us.

To gain a complete understanding, we now must consider the word reassignment. Reassignment by definition is moving to a new role in order to complete a different task. Our purpose in Christ never changes, which is to glorify God. However our assignment does. Just like the changing of the seasons, the opportunities to build the Kingdom also changes. This is a lifelong process that doesn’t end until we step into glory.

Instead of taking a cultural approach to retirement, recess and reassignment, the faithful believer should always turn to the Scriptures when it comes to our next steps on the faith journey.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

– 2 Timothy 2:22

Food is essential. We have to have nourishment if we want to operate correctly from a biochemical and physiological standpoint. But food is much more than simply an obligatory necessity. We also take pleasure in food. With all the different flavors, we develop preferences and cravings that bring a factor of satisfaction. In addition to that, meal time has a social and community aspect that all cultures partake in. We eat to celebrate, we eat when we are stressed and we eat when we need comfort. 

For restaurant chains, advertising their food is essential for their business. They take every part of the eating experience and use it for their marketing purposes. It seems like you can’t go through a commercial break without at least one of the advertisements being for food and most likely it’s cheaper and less quality fare.

As with most corporate advertising, the food you see on the commercials is never an accurate representation of what you actually get. Sure it may look good, however your past experiences always speak louder. Technology has yet created an accurate way to present a good product. You cannot smell, let alone taste the food through your screen. However, it is meant to entice your tastebuds and need for community to the point that your hunger overrides those past experiences.

But then something odd happens. There is a shift in how you process the food commercials. Instead of longing for their food and how good you think it will taste, you start thinking about how disappointing it actually is and how badly it would make you feel.

Temptation for the mature Christian works in a similar way. Temptation to sin is advertised and displayed all around us. It’s enticing because our human sin nature seeks, even craves the depravity of the perverted world. On top of that, like the commercials pitching substandard food, the temptation of sin never stacks up the actual engagement. The truth is, sin will always let you down and leave you empty, regretting those decisions.

When we seek righteousness and a Christ honoring life, we come to the realization that how good we think the sin would make us feel, we have a deeper Holy Spirit inspired understanding of how negative the results would be. 

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he conveys this principle of Christian maturity. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Don’t fall for the false promises of this world. Be careful with what the culture is pitching you, because the outcome   will never live up to the hype. Quite the contrary. The world can only offer a weak counterfeit of those things that only God can bring into our lives. 

Like the steaming pieces of pizza we see smiling people enjoying on a commercial, we come to the reality that the food not only disappoints us, it also gives little satisfaction. Add to the detrimental effect of low quality food and hopefully a lesson has been learned. How we look at and treat sin and temptation in our life should be no different. We must never forget our last experience with sin. The reality of the emptiness, disgust and remorse should be powerful reminders that draw us back to the righteousness of the Lord.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

– Philippians 2:3

The legendary Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi famously said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” A simple motto that so many have subscribed to, it has changed the way the general population as well as business, politics and especially sports conduct themselves. 

In a competitive culture, winning equates to success and success has everything to do with power. Therefore, why would anyone want to be on the losing side? As a result, winning has become the ultimate goal. Tragically, far too many have falsely based their identity on their ability to win. To maintain that sense of identity, no cost is too great as long as a perceived win is possible. Lying, cheating, stealing and whatever deceptive tactics that are needed to win become acceptable when winning and the success and power that supposedly come with it are the objective.

The perception of winning actually triggers a chemical reward in the brain. However, as with any reward driven addiction, it cannot be sustained because no business, sports team or individual will always win. For many, the crash and subsequent letdown is a harsh reality that too often causes people to lose their rational thought. 

  

Take gambling for example. Winning is exhilarating. It causes the person to believe they actually continue on a “winning streak.” So they chase the win at any cost. In the process, something interesting happens. Winning just one time alters the brain’s reward system by triggering a massive dopamine release. That same dopamine release starts to occur during the anticipation of risk rather than just the win. This creates a powerful neurological loop driven by unpredictable outcomes, near-misses and the urge to chase losses. Instead of the belief they can win, the fear of losing begins to take center stage. 

Unfortunately this reaction is not simply confined to gambling. The reason an all or nothing focus on winning is so dangerous is because it has a 0% sustainability rate and will always descend into a fear of losing. Losing success, losing power, losing one’s self. Inherently winning is not a bad thing.  However, unlike Coach Lombardi, it can never become the only thing.

For the Christian, one of the sweetest moments in our public life is leading someone to Christ. We even call this winning someone to Jesus. But the motivations are much different than those of the world. To glorify Christ and testify to His wonderful sacrifice is the main motivation. That means the reward we receive isn’t for us, but for us to give to Christ. 

When we focus on Christ, when our desire is that our identity is founded in Him, our character, our encouragement, our ability to love and even our integrity is changed. We no longer have to win at any cost, because Jesus already did, once and for all. Through His example, we do not count ourselves better than others or see them as someone to beat, rather we see them as potential brothers and sisters in Christ. Success is redefined in our life based on God’s standards. 

The power that the world chases is eclipsed by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life. To say that our idea and motivation to win has changed is but a reflection of a changed and yielded heart to our Savior. Maybe the best way to say it would be, winning is everything because Jesus is the only thing.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

⁃ Philippians 4:8

Why do we wash our hands? That’s probably not a question we think about very often. As a child, we sing our A,B,C’s while making suds because our parents and teachers tell us to. Then we enter a phase where it is socially acceptable to wash our hands. When we get old enough and can comprehend germs and bacteria, we wash our hands because we know it will prevent illnesses. 

In third world and developing nations, many of the leading diseases that lead to sickness and death can be greatly diminished by simply being diligent in the washing of hands. By washing your hands, you physically remove bacteria and viruses, keeping them from entering your body and stopping them from spreading to others. 

Now of course the most effective way to wash your hands has to include soap. Soap molecules actively break down the invisible oily layers on your skin where germs, viruses, and dirt hide. Bacteria and viruses naturally stick to and live in the oils on our bodies. Because oil and water do not mix, rinsing with plain water simply doesn’t work for proper hygiene. When we use soap, it actively breaks up the surface tension of the water, allowing it to penetrate and wash away the trapped grime. Soap also destroys viruses and bacteria by rupturing there protective membranes rendering them harmless.

If you have ever had surgery or stitches or just about any medical procedure, you know that there are always strict hygiene practices employed. That’s because it is much easier and better to prevent illness than to have to treat an infection. Therefore many steps are taken to avoid what could potentially become a chronic or life threatening condition.

When we think about hygiene, it is almost always from a physical mindset. But we find many instances in Scripture that warn us of the dangers if we don’t look at hygiene from a spiritual perspective. Many of the physical dangers we can face from improper hygiene are similar to the spiritual ones that endanger us.

Our very thoughts, if unbridled, are like the dirty hands that bring sickness. If what we allow into our minds and thought processes are not filtered and cleaned, they have the potential to take root and cause us harm spiritually in the same way viruses and bacteria can take hold if we don’t wash our hands. 

Scripture is the soap that we need to keep our thoughts on God and that results in mental hygiene. Physical soap can be harsh because of its chemical make up. But it is that very make up that enables it to be effective. In a similar way, Scripture can seem harsh in how it brings conviction into our life. But it is that conviction that points out sin and temptation and draws us closer to Christ. 

We do not simply wash our hands or take a shower because we are filthy. Rather, good hygiene is part of our daily routine. How we look at keeping out thoughts pure before the Lord should also be a daily routine. Time in Scripture, prayer and surrounding ourselves with others who are strong in the Lord are all ways to practice good mental hygiene. 

Paul gives us appropriate hygiene instruction is 2 Corinthians 10:5-6, We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:1-2

If you have ever been to a third world nation or a reservation in the western United States, you have most likely noticed an abundance of stray dogs. Strolling around freely, sleeping in unlikely places, eating whatever they can find. To the visitor, it appears both unnatural as well as concerning. Looking a bit mangy, absent of a collar and perpetually roaming around, the loan dog wanders through life each day becoming more feral simply trying to survive.

Since dogs are naturally pack animals, the common instinct is for these strays to gather together and form groups. Now instead of the occasional loaner, these packs of stray dogs are seen with both contempt and caution. Ruled by dominance, a pecking order is determined by strength and control. Better than being alone, the prospects for these dogs are not favorable. Just like with humans, those they associate with determine their future. For the stray dog packs, that is a cruel and short life.

As once domesticated dogs with the intention as human companions, the unfortunate part  is when left to their own accord, all the negative traits of stray dogs emerge and are highlighted. The result is far from man’s best friend as they are quickly reduced to just another menace to society.

However, if you take one of these young strays and give them a home, something incredible happens. When they are provided with care and structure, they can naturally become a great pet and companion, loyal to their owner. 

A lone stray simply tries to survive, a pack of strays becomes a danger to the community, but one that has been adopted into a family becomes a treasured companion.

Interesting how dogs and people are quite similar in this respect. When we are alone in life, most of the time we are just exercising, simply surviving in a complex world. Instead of being alone, longing for community, we seek whatever is available. However, many times the groups we fall into out of loneliness or desperation only amply the dysfunction. What we really need is a home. One where we can, not simply survive, but thrive in hope and vitality. 

God’s plan for us is one of community and health. He calls us from alienation into adoption with Himself. He provides us with His Church, a place to belong and to be nurtured. He feeds us, takes care of us and even disciplines us when needed. Not only invited in, He pursues us, meeting us where we are, but loving us too much to let us stay there. We now have a home where we can feel safe and secure.

Most of all, we can belong. Belonging to the King and living in the Kingdom. This new reality of life causes hope to spring up in us. Unlike the stray dog that merely tries to survive another day, the hope that comes with being adopted into Christ is eternal. The confidence in knowing that we will be with Christ forever displaces fear and loneliness and in its place strength and purpose abound.  

If you have ever felt like a stray dog, don’t settle for what a pack can offer. Find your home in Christ and the family He provides.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control],
But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].

– Proverbs 14:29 (AMP)

If there is one certainty that we can all expect every single day of our life, it is the opportunity to become frustrated. It’s everywhere! From the long wait for the coffee maker to the traffic and all those people that just don’t understand your schedule. The beast within that we call frustration is ever looming in the background, waiting to be unleashed, ready to rear its ugly head.

But what exactly is frustration? 

Frustration is the feeling of annoyance, discouragement, or anger that arises when your efforts to achieve a goal are blocked or your expectations are not met. Quite simply, it is an emotional response emanating from when things don’t go your way. The inconvenient reality is that in life, much of the time things will not go our way. In many cases, we have little or no control over such things, but we do have control in how we choose to respond.

Patience reflects our choice in how we decide to react to situations and in the way we endeavor the trials, however big or small that we will constantly face. As simple as this definition is, the application is becoming harder and harder.   

According to a survey of 2,000 adults, all of the luxuries of modern life have made most people incredibly impatient. This is not confined to any one part of our life, but rather across pretty much every aspect of our lives. Three quarters of those surveyed said they believe the dominance of digital technology, such as smartphones and on-demand TVs are to blame for this ever growing lack of patience. The survey shows the average person grows frustrated after waiting 16 seconds for a webpage to load and 25 seconds for a traffic signal to change. We are living in a culture that wants what we want and we want it right now. Technological conveniences have become an expectation and it is taking its toll on us emotionally. The result is a selfish and self-centered mentality that elevates the needs of the one over a more harmonious outlook of community. The ensuing storm draws people into a place of anger and intolerance. Sensible and rational decisions are replaced by annoyance, dissatisfaction and resentment. 

The only cure is choosing to be patient in our frustration. Scripture helps us and guides us here. Proverbs 29:11 says, A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. What causes our anger? Usually it results from a building frustration that has not been addressed. Sideways anger is a redirection of frustration and anger away from its true source and onto an unintended target. The top blows and the full vent of that frustration erupts into outrage.

Patience is where frustration is allowed to mellow. Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delays, suffering, or annoyance without becoming frustrated, upset or angry. It combines steady perseverance with emotional regulation and gives us the ability to maintain a calm demeanor under pressure. Patience is rooted in our relationship with Christ. If we have found our identity in Jesus, a confidence comes which grants us a much longer line of sight. One that reaches all the way to eternity.  

Look at what Galatians 6:9 says, And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

In many ways, allowing our frustration to grow into anger is giving up on the process of patience. It is ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit and Scripture and instead reacting to the situation. Paul’s words here help us to gain a more Godly perspective. We should never get tired of doing good because inherently when we are about our Father’s business we are inspired and energized. Even if we don’t see immediate results, we can have confidence that in due time, God will be glorified.

The Bible has the answers we desperately need when we are frustrated. We just need the patience to seek the Lord in these times.

…that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

– Ephesians 3:16-19

If you can remember back to high-school English class, there was always a segment taught on two opposing approaches to the human experience. Writers as well as artists would be categorized as either a romantic or a realist. 

Romanticism focuses on the inner life, personal freedom, and the boundless potential of the individual. Romantics often elevate human experiences through emotional depth, imagination, and a spiritual or idealized connection to nature. The romantic dreams big and the result in a literary sense is that everything turns out good. It is an idealistic approach that leaves the reader satisfied, elated and hopeful. In the end, the hero always wins and the people rejoice.

Realism on the other hand rejects idealization in favor of detailed observation and objective truth. Realists focus on the practical, social, and economic realities of daily life, shedding light on social issues like industrialization and the struggles of the working class. Because of this, the realist paints a seemingly more accurate picture, especially in terms of hardship. The result is often tragic, bringing a gut punch to the reader. The everyday struggles and realities of the normal person bring to light the difficulty of life and the eventual losses that inevitably occur.

Every person has a tendency to lean to one side or the other in terms of being a romantic or a realist. These mindsets influence how we see the world and others. They help determine our approach and the expected outcomes. For the romantic, there is the belief that all will end well, turning out for good in the end. The realist has a quite different approach. They are continually estimating the potential outcomes, but also the probability and possibility of dangers and pitfalls along the way. They take the approach that there may be a real probability of failure.

Most people float somewhere between the romantic/realist complex, sometimes week to week. Children are for the most part romantics simply because they have had few experiences to keep them from living life any differently. However as we go through life and experience more and more pain, failure and loss, we tend to gravitate to a more realist view.

But following Christ breaks the mold. It does this simply because God is neither a romantic or a relist while also being fully a romantic and realist. He encompasses the fullness of everything and His very will reflects this. To be a Christian is to follow Christ, being submersed in who He is. Our identity is therefore changed from our old-self to who we are now. Our very view of the world and even more so of God is changed through our born-again experience. Because we now see through the spiritual eyes of the Holy Spirit, to be a realist is being a romantic and to be a romantic is to be a realist. 

The nature of sin and the death that it brings through the separated state that sin brings is tragic and always ends in tragedy. The Righteousness of God can only bring His judgement on those who are deserving judgement (anyone who has ever committed sin). It is the nature of the common man’s struggle in this world with the only eventual outcome being death followed by eternal torment, satisfying a realist’s viewpoint.

The mercy and gracy of the Father as realized through the Son brings a complete and completed romantic aspect. Because of Jesus, we have a choice to embrace this wonderful gift and with it comes the ultimate hope. 

Christ the hero always wins. For the Christian we take comfort and have confidence in the Blessed Hope while we simultaneously understand the consequences of those who have not accepted Christ.