Rise of the Karen

If you are taking note of different cultural phenoms right now you have probably heard the phrase attributed to certain behaviour, these people, generally ladies called "Karens". 

I have to admit I feel a bit sad for the Karens out there who are genuinely nice people. Their name is being used in such a derogatory manner.

A few definitions might help if you haven't come across this term?

Wikipedia defines a "Karen" as ... someone as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. This seems to be the nice version in my humble opinion.

My definition is as follows ... someone who may or may not have been wronged and yet over reacts verbally, physically or both to a situation that triggers them.

Even last night I was suggested a new YouTube channel to watch in my suggestions section entitled "Karens in the Wild". It is not for the faint hearted of those offended by verbal tirades using "colourful" language choices. In fact it is kind of an embarrassment...

It highlights that level many seems to think is ok to stoop to, when life is difficult, or there is a sense of being wronged in some way.

It certainly has made me think...

As someone doing what I can to live my life to glorify God, is being a Karen justified on any level?

Should we be different from the culture - well the answer is yes.

If our "saltiness" as scripture tells us has become the worst form of saltiness (bitterness, anger, rage) then how will any one believe our message. Our lives are saying the opposite of who we want to be.

So here I am today reminded of two things:

One, to make sure as much as I can, to handle myself well, to seek to help where I may be struggling.

Two, to show grace to those who have let the "Karen" of their flesh bubble up and then define them. That maybe I shouldn't be entertained by their struggles, but instead desire to offer them something better.

It seems ultimately to me that being a "Karen" is a cry for help. Not a label for us to further push them away from the love they so desperately need.

Something to think about...

Accepting the process

The very nature of life itself follows process...

I am wondering if accepting it is half the battle?

You are not born an adult and well adjusted.

You don't even wake up to be a totally different person to who you were the previous days.

Even before that you had 9 months of what we called gestation. A hidden away process to develop you from conception to your first first birthday.

Butterflies have a change process in a cocoon as they metamorphosis from a caterpillar with insane amounts of little legs.

Frustration is magnified I think for us when forgot that there is a process that even God is working to in our lives. I have been fully and sorely reminded of this during the change process 2020 has brought pretty unexpectantly to our lives and ministry.

In the corner of our garden is a plant, a bush, some might say it has been an eyesore.

We have left it alone for 3 years and talked more about dealing with it than actually dealing with it.

I began to wonder a few months back if I was not playing my part, not following the process for its life and development. And besides it looked like it was dead and worthless.

So armed with a quick gardening tutorial via our friends on YouTube I pretended to have a green thumb and pruned it to within an inch of life itself. That pruning confirmed our very unqualified gardening fear, it was a dead stump now with dead brown stalks presenting itself sadly to the world.

Had I made things worse?

Was the video a have and a shame?

I actually decided to walk away and forget this shameful experiment had even happened. Resigning myself to digging out the carcass in some sort of pre holiday season ritual.

So here we are right now and honestly stunned by what is now proudly displaying itself.

This stump of doom is now a thriving bush of glory.

It is beginning to live up to its name and identity as a Hydrangea.

(Some of you reading this will even be shocked I even know its name LOL)

What changed in this plants life is something we can learn form...

We need to accept that life is a process that God is orchestrating on our behalf.

We might think we look dead, but God knows with His care, there will be new life.

We might think we are fully grown, as messy as we might feel, and yet God prunes away what is holding us back.

Don't fight the process my friend!

Your life is about to change.

There may very well be a brand new season about to open for you if you just accept the process?

Something to think about...

Goodbye ... (for a while)

Hi there everyone of you amazing, outstanding people!

I am so very honoured that you read my 'simple thoughts' and I truly hope they have helped you in some way either big or small.

For a huge number of reasons (to many to mention here right now) our world is changing dramatically and somewhat unexpectedly.
Because of what has happened to us as a family in recent times I have decided to take a break from writing and ministry to spend time with them, focusing on getting healthy and whole again personally.

To allay any fears you might have, we have not done anything "wrong". It has just become time to step away from full-time ministry for a season.

Please know I appreciate every single reader.

You have inspired me to keep writing in this format most weeks for nearly 15 years now.

I hope to be back with you sometime in the not too distant future.

Until then, God bless you my friend!

Locky

Watch out for the vacuum effect

I have long been a very keen observer of things.
Watching carefully the effects of short and long-term decisions and actions.
And I have seen something called the "vacuum effect" playing a key role in our lives personally, our Churches, and our nations.

Worldwide there is this idea that you should outright do everything you can to remove a problem.
Be aggressive in your approach. Unrelenting in your resolve.

Now this passion achieves something, but something always replaces something.

A vacuum is always filled. Both in the natural and the supernatural here on earth.
In the animal world this is aptly demonstrated.
If you remove a species for any reason, something always will take its place.
In the world we live this is aptly demonstrated.
If you remove an issue for any reason, something always will takes its place.

Right now we are battling racism (and we should).
We are battling disease (and we should).
We are battling sexism, slavery, hunger, homelessness (and we should).
Exhausting thinking about isn't it?...

But what will replace the space from which something is removed?
Obviously I have an agenda. I don't mind admitting it in the slightest!
We need to pour light into the darkness.
Because simply removing a darkness only just lets another darkness take its place...

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Remember we are light and if we withdraw it just becomes darker.
Darkness doesn't force out light, it isn't that powerful. 

Light is the decider on how much darkness or not there is.

It is time to shine.

Something to think about...

Don't have a favourite Bible Verse

I think I am real guilty of this...
During the course of my life doing all I can I help others follow Jesus, we have regularly asked the question "what is your favourite Bible verse?". Asked people mostly in group settings, to share with the said group, what their personal favourite might be.
Some are ready real fast to answer.
Others have a look of horror clearly on their dials, as though they didn't realise they should have one. And others just say "mine was the same" hiding the fact they have drawn a blank.

Now I am honestly wondering whether it was such a wise move?

Please bear with me as I explain...
And I welcome you replying with your own thoughts anytime!

My reason for this possible conclusion today is based on the concept of "camping" on one verse or passage. The idea of where you base your faith, ministry or outlook on life on a key favourite verse.
We have a natural proclivity to stick with what we know and what makes us feel good. While this can provide comfort at some point, I am not convinced it is conducive to continued growth.
While the verse "for God so loved the world..." (John 3:16) is super cool and important. It is not enough. There is more to learn and grow in my friend.

I am fully convinced that God's Word is as advertised by heaven itself.
It is so real, so alive, so relatable to each of us on a personal level (Hebrews 4:12).
It won't tell you what colour car to buy or what style of sunglasses to purchase, but in regards to anything personal and what is really most important - it has got you more than covered!

Here are some simple examples...

I have heard people in good faith say they only give to God when it makes them happy. Because as God's word says "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7)
What else does God's word say about giving?
The same chapter talks about not being reluctant, which to me is not always the same as cheerful.
It talks elsewhere about being generous. It talks about sowing seed.

I have heard people say that God loves them just the way they are.
1 John 4:16 explains passionately about how God loves us. It is awesome!
What else does God's word say about God and our relationship to Him?
God disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:16)
That He is also a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)
Personally I believe firmly that "God loves you just the way you are and also loves you too much to leave you that way".

I also love how the Apostle Paul summarised his life and ministry in one of his amazing letters.
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Acts 20:27 NIV

When I marry this sentiment with what the Word of God says it is, the last thing I want is a mere favourite!
I want all of it.
I want to swim deep in it.
I want to chew it completely over.
I want it to speak to me in any way I need.
I want it to change me more and then some more again.

I want to encourage you most strongly today and especially in this season of time, to maybe consider moving on from a mere favourite one verse to embracing all the Word of God, one piece at a time.
Because when you approach it like this you will not limit God in your life and you will not hamstrung your faith.

So what do you think?

Has this been an issue for you?