In keeping with the beauty of His works - 2

...1

The method: Commodification

As wholesome creations of God, we are not means to an end. We are the end. The point of the creation is the creation (us). There is a reason why we (and the rest of the world) were created and the manner in which we are created must be essential to that. The purpose, for which was the intention, must be kept intact. This implies that we be ourselves fully. In the process, we are to achieve the purpose for which we were created. Our purpose and the manner of creation (us) are not two separate things by themselves.

This means that when give ourselves up for the good others, we do not do away with ourselves. Working for their good does not have to mean we give ourselves up. While we are called to work for the good of others, it will not contradict in being perfectly ourselves. We are not machines, simply geared to serve. Such a purpose defeats the purpose of the sense of self. There is a distinct sense of self, of what and who we are indeed which, ofcourse, is changing as we learn more and discover ourselves in the process.

Our purpose is as intact with us(ourselves), as much as it is important to be achieved. So much so, only when we are ourselves we can do that. It is intertwined, wherein it is beneficial to both and constructive of ourselves. Without that being so, we cannot serve our purpose. This also further implies that we cannot be separate ourselves from our actions. Our actions are a result of who we are and who we become as we explore ourselves.

However, in today's times, this intrinsic growth and being of self is not allowed and encouraged. The generation, both of responsible and juvenile ages, are directed to be commodities towards purposes, disciplinary, social, ambitious and the like. In the process of directing lives (ours and others) in such a direction, we care not for the self, disrespecting the self, its growth and development. Rather, we focus on making ourselves into impressive, over-the-top and, many times, sellable people, who are absolutely perfectly round like a score cards that always win. Well, we aren't perfect and we cannot offer what we do in the slightest of self righteousness. Pretension of it is not justifiable either.

We, in the process, turn ourselves into nothing less than mere commodities, with no intrinsic value to offer or enjoy. Something that can be merely replaced. Our acts boast of no value at all. We do not feel any concern in things that we give and no joy in them being utilised for the good of those that receive. We may as well be completely automated and not have a load to share, to start with, and have no soul at all in what we do.

In correction of such a culture, we should allow ourselves to perfectly be ourselves, as we grow, discover and share ourselves and actually care about and value what we offer to the world.

Jesusaid Whaat?

In keeping with the beauty of His works - 1

He made us individually and beautifully with intent and purpose, so we claim and indeed it is. But we do not do this individuality and beauty justice that is worthy of it, by the value that we give it.

The method: Standardisation

We devalue this colour and glory that we are painted in and prevent it from actually letting it shine unrestricted, opting to streamline it into the ways of society-at-large. We subject our generation to a system of checks which imposes on it a rigorous standard that holds it down instead of one that accommodates and nurtures the versatility we (the reader (s) inclusive) are created in.

a) Standardisation of Intelligence: As a result of such a mindset - through our educational systems and outlook towards intelligence, we subject our generation the rating of intelligence of only a certain kind. As much as God made intelligence that befits scientists, he also made creativity that befits artists. And if all that He made is good, all the other categories that we could list are equally important in the light of His creation. No other standard that should be set but the standard in the creation itself. This does not mandate any other rigid standard of any sort, leave alone one that brands anyone better, worse, bad, good, stupid, clever and such other.

The very way to define that standard is to let the creation (you and me, in this case) be what it must, as it must and shine His glory, PERIOD. To do that we must give ourselves the space to do so. We must grant our selves the space to discover, be and explore who we are. This is the way we were created to be, simply ourselves. We were not created less than anyone or anything.

By putting this versatility in a box and cutting it to size and further more devaluing the kind that does not fit in the box only kills the versatility – thereby killing its intended glory. If a child is to spend his growing years with his versatility shut up in a system which expects him to be any less or/and colourful that he is made to be, it does not allow him to let himself shine unrestricted. That does not do the creation (the child) justice nor does it shine the glory the child was made to be in. They must be given this space, as it is vital for their growth into the people they were created to be. This must be enforced as a part of their lifestyle. If we draw the lines before they even discover themselves, they will not be given that space to discover themselves.

b) Standardisation through respectability: We strive to make our generation to be one that fits in with the crowd and in by all means, mainstream – in thought, mannerism, culture, lifestyle and such – focussing on its respectability within society. As a culture, we deem this respectability to be more important, not giving ourselves the space and permission to be the selves that reflect the beauty that we were made in. The focus is largely on how we are seen, our reputation in society and whether not they accept us in to their fold.

While we go along with the society that favours a well set job/career(and only certain kinds will do), settling down with a partner, goes with certain kind of talk and mannerism that is of approval-at-large by society and choosing to go mainstream and other such things, they curb the versatility that we we were made in. The factors that go into the manner that we succumb to this standard of respectability are varied. Some of them we choose to abide by because we are taught to do so. Beyond that, there is no reason except that we must be respectable for whatever reason that we are taught so. The other reason that we do it is by compulsion – though not wanting to. Compelled by existential reasons at large.

With such a focus on respectability, we do not grant ourselves the space to be the people we must, in keeping with the beauty that He made us in. By valuing respectability in society above being that which we are made to be, we do not do the purpose that we were made to be any good. We, in effect, serve society a more profitable purpose, which is not the worship that is deserved of our God.

Note:- Concerning any such standardisation, granting the space to be ourselves must involve complete sincerity. We cannot stand apart and demand what we feel like, rather we must be true to who we are. God made us, each, beautifully and individually. The last person you should lie to is yourself, neither will you have an excuse, if you do. We are not created with extrinsic but intrinsic beauty. As much as we do what we are made to, it is very much the natural inseparable us (us ourselves) that we will be, when we do that. And this we must do with no excuse, except for the fact that, that is who we are PERIOD....2

…the body, now the mind?

All our lives we are taught how to be Christ-like because that is what Christ would do and that we must, in turn. That in the form of must bes, must not bes, dos and don’ts. And now, we have these lists of what Christ must be like and what Christ must not be like. Now that we have had Christ considerably take over the body, it seems that what is left is the mind. To start with, there is no thinking and only programmed thinking (if you would call that thinking). Therefore, less/no use of the minds as much as any understanding of our calling would mandate. The mind has not been delegated to be used by Christ.

A clearly seen result is that we follow these must bes, must not bes, dos and don’ts – some of them specifically- with no clue as to how they could ever represent Christ – the contradiction of which is seen by those who actually do use their minds to find the Truth.

What do we do with Him indeed

If you would like to be a part of this to any degree, do state your inclination and if the Lord wills it that we be the means of a revival in His people, then such must be the case. Write in to nowthatwehavethisjesus@gmail.com or just comment.