"Do not follow where the path may lead; but go to where there is no path and leave a trail."
- unknown
I have an incurable disease - a deadly pandemic that I was infected with almost nine years ago. It happened innocently enough, by two random events spread apart by several years. The first and least important event happened when the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle issued me a driver's license. The second event was my wedding day nine years ago. These two days were crowning achievements in my life, and I successfully completed both tasks on my first try.
Unfortunately, the combination of these two innocent events has resulted in an inoperable condition I call, "I know where I am going, we don't need directions!" (which will be refered to as NOMAP from now on) My wife, who was originally a nursing student, has labored in vain as an amateur apothecary mixing various medicines such as, "Just read the map stupid!", "Stop at the first gas station!", and "Ask that old lady walking down the street!"
These may seem like items with powerful medicinal powers, but the side effects, plus the pride the druggist would take in 'curing' me, have proven to be too much for me. I have accepted the fact that I will never be cured from NOMAP and I, and my unfortunate passengers, will suffer under its effects for as long as my license is renewed.
The truth is, much of my life is governed the same way. I don't want a map or a program to tell me when to turn, where to go, and what decision to make at every intersection. I want to make those decisions myself...better yet, I want to search out the truth about what decision I should make, instead of listening to someone else telling me what to do. Many times parents, pastors, well meaning friends, and family members protest to those infected with NOMAP. But the truth is, many times we are not acting out of rebellion or youthful ignorance, instead we are driven by a desire for authenticity.
I don't want to be someones religious robot nor evangelical puppet. I don't need to be told how to vote, how to dress, what movies and music to listen to, and whatever else we have confused Jesus with being about. Instead, I need to be shown how to love, how to heal, and how to forgive...the things Jesus was about. And for that, I don't need a map or a religious system. I need a relationship with a revolutionary thinker, a heroic champion of justice, and an architect of a better way to live.
Sometimes we call the bible a road map, but I think we're selling it short. For me, the bible is the greatest romance novel ever written. (And thankfully, Fabio isn't on the cover.) It is a story of a deliberate and intentional God giving humanity life and relationship with their creator, and putting into motion a way for all to experience communion with his presence, forever.
A map has pictures, lines, and symbols. The bible has passion, shed blood, and produces life and liberty. One of the major problems with modern christianity is we have minimized an infinite God to stats, number, and rules.
So those of you infected with NOMAP, I urge to not check into the hospital(or church) for a quick immunization. I challenge you to continue on your difficult journey in your pursuit of an authentic relationship with your living, loving creator.
- unknown
I have an incurable disease - a deadly pandemic that I was infected with almost nine years ago. It happened innocently enough, by two random events spread apart by several years. The first and least important event happened when the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle issued me a driver's license. The second event was my wedding day nine years ago. These two days were crowning achievements in my life, and I successfully completed both tasks on my first try.
Unfortunately, the combination of these two innocent events has resulted in an inoperable condition I call, "I know where I am going, we don't need directions!" (which will be refered to as NOMAP from now on) My wife, who was originally a nursing student, has labored in vain as an amateur apothecary mixing various medicines such as, "Just read the map stupid!", "Stop at the first gas station!", and "Ask that old lady walking down the street!"
These may seem like items with powerful medicinal powers, but the side effects, plus the pride the druggist would take in 'curing' me, have proven to be too much for me. I have accepted the fact that I will never be cured from NOMAP and I, and my unfortunate passengers, will suffer under its effects for as long as my license is renewed.
The truth is, much of my life is governed the same way. I don't want a map or a program to tell me when to turn, where to go, and what decision to make at every intersection. I want to make those decisions myself...better yet, I want to search out the truth about what decision I should make, instead of listening to someone else telling me what to do. Many times parents, pastors, well meaning friends, and family members protest to those infected with NOMAP. But the truth is, many times we are not acting out of rebellion or youthful ignorance, instead we are driven by a desire for authenticity.
I don't want to be someones religious robot nor evangelical puppet. I don't need to be told how to vote, how to dress, what movies and music to listen to, and whatever else we have confused Jesus with being about. Instead, I need to be shown how to love, how to heal, and how to forgive...the things Jesus was about. And for that, I don't need a map or a religious system. I need a relationship with a revolutionary thinker, a heroic champion of justice, and an architect of a better way to live.
Sometimes we call the bible a road map, but I think we're selling it short. For me, the bible is the greatest romance novel ever written. (And thankfully, Fabio isn't on the cover.) It is a story of a deliberate and intentional God giving humanity life and relationship with their creator, and putting into motion a way for all to experience communion with his presence, forever.
A map has pictures, lines, and symbols. The bible has passion, shed blood, and produces life and liberty. One of the major problems with modern christianity is we have minimized an infinite God to stats, number, and rules.
So those of you infected with NOMAP, I urge to not check into the hospital(or church) for a quick immunization. I challenge you to continue on your difficult journey in your pursuit of an authentic relationship with your living, loving creator.
