Suppositionalism

Words are great.  Words can be manipulated or tweaked just enough to get a certain point across.  In the English language words can be used one way, or another, and are understood by everyone.  (Or at least they should be.) For instance, everyone understands the word awesome.  The definition of awesome is amazing, but I liken the word awesome to something not believable, or not normal.  Amazing just doesn't do awesome justice.  Everyone also understands the word nerd, in fact I think a lot of humans have labeled themselves as such, including myself.  I find it fascinating that when I searched the word nerd, fool came up.

What is a fool?

The Bible says, "A companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:30.  That verse also points out that someone who chooses to spend time with the wise, will grow wise themselves.  This is so true.  Everyone can relate to those gatherings of individuals, maybe it's a house party, or a school group, or a church group.  These functions usually end up with different pockets of people, the 'cool' kids, geeks, and the weirdos, (I was usually a weirdo because I never cared what people thought or was unaware that there were certain social boundaries but I broke them all the time.)  Whatever crude humour, or gossip, or just plain ugliness came out of peoples mouths, I learned to avoid whichever group I thought at the time was bad, thus thinking I was doing the right thing.

My husband made a crack the other day that he could picture me being a socialite, that I would be invited to things just because I got along with everybody, that I was fashionable, smart, and witty. Being easy on the eyes helped too.  He named a celebrity that I reminded him of and I nearly threw a pot at him.  (The one he named has zero qualities he mentioned, which then made his point null and void.) He should never be a smart ass while I am cooking.

I got to thinking about this and wondered if there was some truth to his words.  I was invited to many functions when I was single, young, carefree.  Even after I had my first child I was a bridesmaid to many ladies whom I hadn't spoken to in years, and asked to attend many parties of strangers.  I think how someone looks on the outside has an effect on people, and people tend to perceive you confidently thinking they have you figured out.  Being not too bad on the eyes, I learned therefore that I was thought of being either a snob, spoiled rotten, or a b with an itch.  While I can carry these attributes, when someone gets to know me they are usually pleasantly surprised that I am not what they presupposed, for which I am thankful.

Because of my experience I try to get to know people before I decide whether they would be good company or not.

This has been a learning process.  I have chosen bad company.  I have befriended fools and then became foolish.  I thought I could pull them along my way, but it was easier to follow them.  Less heartache.  Less worry.  Less hassle.  And I didn't want to be the bad guy.  No one wants to be the whistle blower, tattler, or be accused of being judgemental.

This thinking is bassackwards.

"WHAT?"  You think incredulously?  What is this weirdo talking about?

I've blogged before on being judgmental, the biblical way.  How my native language, and being Canadian has ruined the very essence of 'judging' is very sad indeed.

Am I promoting the kind of judgment that what someone does on the outside matters?

Depends on what they are doing.

Am I suggesting that I can tell what is going on inside someones heart by their carriage and character?

Since we are all depraved human beings I have the ability to recognize in someone else something I too struggle with as a depraved person that they themselves have yet to identify as something to put to death, and do no more.

Should we therefore go around like crazy people and scream at everybody that they are doing everything wrong?

No.

I am teaching my children that who they hitch their cart to matters more than they think.  Who I hitch my cart to at this point matters to my children's lives right now.  What do I want my kids focusing on?  Who do I want them to be influenced by?  Do I want them to avoid making friends because they appear to be idiots?  Do I want them to think they are better than everybody else?

By no means!

Mark 1:4 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

In other translations Jesus was described as being moved with pity.  Jesus did not sin, therefore the pity he felt was coming from a place of love.  Christs stint on Earth was surrounded by a pitiful creation.  We have not changed.  I think looking at individuals with this godly pity will help either make lasting relationships or not.  Remembering that the whole world needs Christ, and only a select few actually know Him, we can still reach out to all.  It won't take long to realize what that creature is about. 

Time will tell whether my babies choose their companions wisely, my only hope is to equip them with the Word of God and release them into this forsaken world knowing that my Powerful God has designed their lives perfectly.

I look forward to the day when I too am looked upon with pity from my Beautiful Saviour as He reaches out to embrace me on that great day when I cease to live here.