Tag Archives: changing your ways

Who… Me?

Whether you believe in one or not, God has created a melting pot of individuals who are just as different on the inside as the color of their skin.  Personalities range from those who enjoy going to the mall to people watch, others prefer to listen, asking questions instead of talking too much and the strong willed seek to express their opinions and point of view.  Meanwhile, the active can’t get enough time with their friends, the sloths are always looking for an excuse to rest and modern technology has made the masses co dependent on their computer, phone or television.  When confronted or asked to changes their ways of in 2014, many will respond, “Who, me?”

The memories of Adam and Eve has been passed down from generation to generation, entering our D.N.A. in the form of the sinful nature, Romans 3:9-12.  Thus, whenever you make a mistake or screw up, you have a blue print to follow, Genesis 3:12-13.  “The devil made me do it!”  “It’s her fault your honor, not mine!”  “If God didn’t introduce me to this person, I would have never done that!”  There are somethings in life you don’t have to learn, it just comes naturally like blaming others, failing to take responsibility for your actions and justifying what you did to escape punishment or minimize the consequences.  As a result, Reality Television is filled with examples of adults acting like little children who got their hand caught in the cookie jar, “Who me?”

For any avid sports fans, especially during this Bowl Season, NFL playoffs or March Madness, this same mindset is played out daily in front of a national audience.  When committing a penalty in football, a foul in basketball or taking a dive to draw attention to the referee is hockey and soccer, pouting faces say a thousand words.  While watching the replay on the jumbotron, I’m surprised more athletes don’t go into acting, pleading their innocence.  However, replays never lie and the guilty will be penalized or fined for their illegal play.  Maybe one of the games this weekend will include a player who actually puts up his hand, signaling, “my bad, I didn’t it!”  Despite this optimism, there will be crying, complaining and disbelief today, as the next guilty player will express body language which suggests, “Who me?”

by Jay Mankus

To Be Somebody

American sitcoms feed on a hidden desire within the human soul, everyone wants to be somebody.  This sense of desperation often causes young people to force the issue, pretending to be someone on television rather than come to grips with reality.  As a result, immaturity extends into the twenty somethings, seeking approval instead of developing the person inside.

The group Thousand Foot Krutch sings about this topic in their song Be Somebody, appearing on their 2012 album The End is Where We Begin  These lyrics indirectly mention the  apostle Paul’s image of a boy looking into a mirror, hoping to grow out of childish ways, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.  Like anything in life, change takes time, especially if ignorance, peer pressure or rebellion lead you down a path you didn’t want to follow.

The Bible provides an alternative road for those who seek a greater meaning and higher purpose in life.  Psalm 1:1-3 paints a picture of an evergreen tree, staying green year long, not changing colors like a chameleon to blend into their environment.  Jesus offers a fresh start, John 8:10-11, as long as you are willing to leave your life of sin.  If you truly want a legacy, to be somebody beyond your wildest imagination, your first step is to become born again, John 3:3-5.  The choice is yours.

by Jay Mankus