Contemporary Survival of the Fittest

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "Survival of the Fittest"?  Darwin?  Evolution?  Big strong cavemen?  Dinosaurs?  Do you think it is a concept that is still applicable today?  Still in the same way?

Well, let me tell you what I think, since this is my blog....  :)

I think that the evolutionary understanding of the concept is very much a reality in many parts of the world, including parts of our own relatively wealthy nation.  That's not what I'm here to write about though, as you likely suspected.

I think that "Survival of the Fittest" represents a mentality in our society today.  It is a way of life.  It no longer refers to a literal need to preserve one's own life, but rather, in our contemporary culture, it describes an urge we all feel to justify our own existence.  "Survival of the Fittest" in 2011 means "Hey, this is why I deserve to live!"

This need to convince others we are valuable often shows up as boasting of our own goodness and/or accomplishments, thereby offering proof that we are contributing to society.  Alternately, if I can't think of any redeeming qualities in myself, I might just try to prove that you are scum, and therefore if one of us has to go, it should be you.

Sometimes though, this idea shows up a little more subtly.  Individuality seems to be a worthwhile trait- you certainly don't want to extinguish a one-of-a-kind!  So we turn to distinction to preserve ourselves.  Distinction leads to separation, and fear of anyone that is different, because their brand of different might threaten my right to life.  Do you see where I'm going with this?  Have you ever seen the damage this causes?  Racism?  Sexism?  Sectarianism?  Homophobia?  Middle school cruelty?  The list goes on and on.

Sadly, the problem seems to intensify when you consider religion- especially in the Bible Belt.  Now we're not only justifying our existence, but also our right to live forever.  One reason there is a church on every corner is because each one of them wants the world to know that their theology is better than that of the church across the street.  It is so important to let people know how superior their faith is that they will bus kids in from every county within a 2-hour drive to make sure they hear the true gospel at their church instead of the heresy of some wolf that has breached the fold.

REALITY CHECK!!  Guess what?  None of us deserves to live!  We're all selfish scumbags at our core.  We have been since before we were born.  It is the reality of "Survival of the Fittest"- it is no theory!  It has existed since the Fall of Adam when he decided that God could not be trusted.  You may be familiar with some of it's other aliases- "Me first!", "Looking out for #1"- or it's pseudo-religious alter ego: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"

The truth is that none of us can justify our own existence, and apart from the grace of God and His desire for us, we would not be alive and prospering today.

Oh, and if you think that you "saw the light" or "got right" or any other form of self-glorifying distinction, you can go ahead and drop that now....

Pro-Life? or Anti-Abortion?

*edited to add in a couple ideas a comment sparked*

The politics of slanted lingo drive me mad.  Quickly.  And it's usually the media- both sides.  They nonchalantly pass off words that were carefully chosen at some prior time, for the implications they will bring.  Sometimes it's just the order things are put in that lead you to lean a certain way.  I'm a communicator- I recognize it immediately, and it drives me bats.  But I'm going to do it to myself here.
See, the terms "Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice" are carefully used.  Nobody wants to be called "Anti-Life" or "Anti-Choice".  For that matter, I don't think anyone wants to be "Pro-Abortion".
But I am willing to wear the description of "Anti-Abortion"- because I am.  You can quote me here:  I don't believe there is ever a good reason for abortion, anywhere, anytime, for anyone.  Never.
If you know my "story", you know why this is true.  But I am also ready to acknowledge that my position is almost 100% informed by my religious views.  I believe that abortion always assumes that God has lost control, and is not capable of handling the situation.  In fact, I believe that it suggests that He never was in control.  This just doesn't jive with my faith.  Furthermore, I believe that if God "knew you from before you were formed in the womb", then life is important from conception.
Now we can go around and around about a lot of related and distant topics from here if you like.  We can talk about "Pro-Life" in the contexts of war and capital punishment, and Euthanasia, etc, etc.  We can talk about birth control and contraceptives.  We can even talk about God's sovereignty when abortions do occur.  There's tons to discuss....

but call me what you will, but I'm ready to come out and say it: I am "Anti-Abortion", and I'm OK with that.

My Crazy Life!

Most of you know that I have a 1 year old little boy, Gabriel who is just starting to walk and talk and generally get into everything.  This is the greatest joy I have ever known, and I could on and on about him for quite some time.  But I am writing this note to tell about some of the other things that are going on in my life these days...

For nearly 2 years now I have been playing in a band called Joe Next Door. I started out just playing bass, but as things have progressed I have added percussion and backing vocals.  I'm very pleased to admit that I my be finding my voice, and I am excited about singing again, after having abandoned it for nearly 2 decades.  

Joe Next Door is currently working to build a fanbase, and also working in the studio to begin the recording process of nearly 5 albums worth of material.  This project will find me singing, playing bass and drums,  and quite possibly adding guitar and keyboard parts.  And most definitely having a lot of fun!

Also on the musical front, I have taken on some new responsibility at church.  Due to some financial cutbacks we lost our Worship Director.  I had been his right hand man for at least the last 5 years, and had actually been wondering if it was time for me to move on to somewhere that was more in need of my skillset.  This opportunity quickly anchored me right here (I'm actually typing this at Redeemer Church).  For a few months now I have been sharing the responsibilities of worship coordinator with one of our elders who has been musically involved.  As we move into summer I will be taking on even more responsibilities.

For some people this has been a difficult transition, and that possibility was certainly there for me- this friend had been my longest running "bandmate" ever- but it has been a huge blessing instead! I feel alive, like I am doing what I was created to do.  I chose to believe that things happen in God's time, and that our actions and decisions are the instruments He uses to bring about His will.  I am thriving in this new situation, implementing things that I've dreamed of for years.  And based on their response, it seems that the great majority of the people were ready for some changes.  Worship has been more intense these last few months than I have ever seen it.

Now, many of you know that I moved to a new job about 2 years ago, and wrote a lengthy note about how that came about.  It has been an important 2 years, with plenty of growth, and I am happy to say that I am content there.  But opportunity has come knocking.  A week from tomorrow I will break into the IT field with no college and no experience.  Through the efforts of an insider friend, I have secured an IT admin position with Pepsi that could change my life.  Because he is their primary programmer, and because they have been unable to find a capable second programmer, I am being brought in to relieve him of all that is not programming, and learn the programming over his shoulder.

Here's the scary part: initially I am signing on as a contractor with a 4-week assignment.  In that 4 weeks I need to prove that I am the valuable asset that this friend has promised, and then I can secure my position for the rest of 2011.  The long term goal is to become an official Pepsi employee for 2012.  The really long term goal is to work in IT for the rest of my life, unless music takes me elsewhere!

Oh, and the pay is more than a few dollars beyond what I currently make when I'm working OT.  :)