Mother Monster : All of Self and Less of Thee

Mother Monster. Lady Gaga refers to herself with this name at the beginning of her latest hit single: Born This Way. (Yes, this link doesn't go directly to her music video, two reasons: 1. I like these Youtube fellows, they make good covers, and 2. You can Youtube her actual music video for youself - be warned, it's one of a kind) And by one of a kind - I mean - a very freaky intro, Lady Gaga riding a unicorn at one point, and a mildly disturbing message.

I am all about loving yourself. Please, let's love you and me and everyone. We are all different and unique and all that exciting whatnot that makes us lovely humans who we are. One stanza in partular bothers me: "I was born this way, God makes no mistakes, I'm on the right track, Baby, I was born this way!"

Anyone else not totally comfortable with this one? Ponder with me how many millions of younger adolescents are seeing this video and thinking: I am who I am because I'm born this way. And, however that may be, it's an excellent way to be.

Long gone are the days of self-improvement. Of wanting to be a better or different person. Of striving for more than self-gratification.

While I enjoy a good random dance party to pop music as much as the next kid, I can't help but notice what the industry is telling us.

How about Mike Posner's chorus in Cooler than me?

I used up all of my tricks, I hope that you like this But you probably won't, you think you're cooler than me

Or Ke$sha's We R who we R?

You know We're superstars We R who we R!

Imagine a world where we are all so completely self-absorbed in who we are and how great it is to be me that that becomes our focus. Scary, eh?

How much better off could we be if we gave glory to God for who we are and move on? Because I am born this way, I am not perfect. Saying "I am born this way" begins to glorify me, and allow me to be lazy because this is just who I am - I was born this way.

As people, do we need a society built on exaultation of self?

Personally, I'd rather not live such a shallow existence. As Christians, what does this tell the world? I'm reminded of the old hymn that humbly ends: none of self and all of Thee.

Britian's Talent and a Drive Through Rural Arkansas

This is my view heading home from school. A nice, flat, scenery-less expanse. Just, me, the road, and the sky. And a few fields. And usually an unreasonable number of semi-trucks.

This weekend, I road-tripped home, and on the way back I drove. I hate driving, specifically interstate driving. It makes me all nervous and twitchy and, let's be honest, I don't need to be any more twitchy than I already am. But, alas, I drove. For four hours I battled the blustering winds and the fierce fatigue and speeded my way back to school while my older brother slept and his bride-to-be wrote thank you cards. Somewhere in the boonies of Arkansas, I found myself stuck behind a semi. He wasn't driving slow per se; it was simply the meer fact of being stuck driving behind this hulking blue piece of metal that perterbed me. This produced a dilema for my interstate-abhorring driving abilities (of which are very limited) - to pass or not to pass? I could not decide. Granted, I cannot decide on a good many issues, but this seemed like one that could really use some resolution.

I decided pass. Easier said than done on a two lane road. But, I decided and spent the subsequent half hour attempting - unsuccessfully - to pass him. At one point, I pulled into the other lane with no oncoming traffic to be seen (and the view out of my windshield gives new meaning to the phrase: "as far as the eye can see"), and I hit the gas. As I got a little less than halfway, I saw a car approaching, I checked my speedometer, and proceeded to panic. In that order, probably in slow motion. Luckily, the other lane only contained the semi since I proceeded to brake and veer back behind him - knuckles white with very awake and alert siblings.

I should have gone for it. For a good portion of the remaining drive, I pondered the concept of going for things - grades, relationships, dreams, whatever. Instead, I saw my opportunity, thought about it, and said "nah, I'll get another chance to pass later"

Britian has some Talent. Their show (similar to America's Got Talent) always seems full of suprises. This fellow went for it - and left me flabbergasted.

He had one shot to live out his dream. His dream was completely unexpected. I love seeing people do incredible things - especially completely unexpected dreams. But, if we skip our shot thinking, "well, I'll just take the next one" when do we stop panicking just as we approach the side of the truck and just keep going?

I never passed that semi. Shortly after my failed attempt, I stopped at a gas station and never saw the truck again. In my four hours of driving, I learned a nice lesson - re-taught to me by the most unexpected singing voice I've ever heard - follow through and go for whatever it is you want to be doing. To be completely honest, life isn't worth sitting behind the semi when we could go a little faster.