Defining Irrelevance
by Chad Jarnagin
I love looking at the definition of words. Sometimes we need to make sure we know what we are talking about. I am no longer content with just believing what others say without any questions asked. I want to find out for myself while trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal.
Look at the somewhat over played word relevant. Relevant: Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand.
If I had 2 dollars for every time I have either used that word or heard that word I would be well on my way to becoming the poster kid for Dave Ramsey! OK, if being relevant is to mean having a bearing on or connecting with the matter at hand, maybe we need to ask ourselves "why & how"? Why try to hard to be relevant, or not hard enough?
Does relevance assure status, value, or cool points in society? I have to be honest and say that the issue might not be "are we relevant?", but are we "irrelevant". I think there is a difference in philosophy here. When one becomes irrelevant, they have no bearing on AND /OR are not connected with the life or issue at hand.
I wonder if Jesus ever sat in a room with his close friends / followers and plotted out how they could be "relevant".... nope. It was NEVER an issue. Jesus loved people in a way that no one else did. Jesus told stories to connect.
To this day I don't know anyone that doesn't like a good story (book, movie, or song). Unfortunately, I don't think we know how to tell His story. Sometimes we just chase our tails around and around as we are consumed with what other "believers" think.
What if we tried to be as raw and real as possible with each other and life in general w/o concern of being politically / religiously correct?
Thanks for listening and thinking with me. I don't have many answers, but I seem to continue having some questions.
I love looking at the definition of words. Sometimes we need to make sure we know what we are talking about. I am no longer content with just believing what others say without any questions asked. I want to find out for myself while trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal.
Look at the somewhat over played word relevant. Relevant: Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand.
If I had 2 dollars for every time I have either used that word or heard that word I would be well on my way to becoming the poster kid for Dave Ramsey! OK, if being relevant is to mean having a bearing on or connecting with the matter at hand, maybe we need to ask ourselves "why & how"? Why try to hard to be relevant, or not hard enough?
Does relevance assure status, value, or cool points in society? I have to be honest and say that the issue might not be "are we relevant?", but are we "irrelevant". I think there is a difference in philosophy here. When one becomes irrelevant, they have no bearing on AND /OR are not connected with the life or issue at hand.
I wonder if Jesus ever sat in a room with his close friends / followers and plotted out how they could be "relevant".... nope. It was NEVER an issue. Jesus loved people in a way that no one else did. Jesus told stories to connect.
To this day I don't know anyone that doesn't like a good story (book, movie, or song). Unfortunately, I don't think we know how to tell His story. Sometimes we just chase our tails around and around as we are consumed with what other "believers" think.
What if we tried to be as raw and real as possible with each other and life in general w/o concern of being politically / religiously correct?
Thanks for listening and thinking with me. I don't have many answers, but I seem to continue having some questions.
posted by go to www.chadjarnagin.com at 9/13/2007
5 Comments:
Seems to me Jesus asked LOTS of questions. In fact, He dolled out way more questions than answers. Questions provoke...questions engage...questions are catalysts. Maybe sometimes asking the question is enough.
well said man. good items to think on.
keep it coming padre.
I don't know if you have read Henri Nouwen's little book "In the Name of Jesus." It is my favorite book about ministry. In any case, he spends one chapter talking about how to overcome the satanic temptation to be "relevant." It might be worth checking out.
Caring and authenticity create relevance. I think if you can be real and show people that you care then you will be relevant no matter what you look like, how you dress, what music you like, or whatever.
Jesus did not try to be relevant, he just was(is) relevant. Maybe we need to roll up our sleeves, jump in, and just BE relevant. How? Being raw & real is a good start.
Great thoughts!
Bill says it well too. We just need to BE.
If one has to try, that can only be so genuine.
Thanks for the comments and thinking out loud with me.
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