You don’t want to go to Subway with an indecisive person unless you want to be there until your clothes go out of style. There are just too many choices. Too many combinations. Buns, sauces, meats, vegetables, cheeses. Toasted or not. Choices!
One thing that keeps the blood pumping through the veins of my life is Charles. He likes to spell his name “Chuk.” He is our 20-year-old son. He has his very own logical wiring and an unpredictable, creative wit. The other day he said; “Wouldn’t it be funny to go to Subway and just tell them what you don’t want –
“Let’s, see I don’t want honey-oat. I don’t want whole wheat. I don’t want Italian. I don’t want it toasted. I don’t need roast beef or turkey. I don’t want olives or onions. I don’t want the carbonated soft drink – ”
Can you imagine how confusing it would be or how long it would take to order at Subway if you only told them what you don’t want?
I thank God for the heritage of fundamentalism, but I sometimes think there is a difference between historic fundamentalism and the movement that is known as fundamentalism today. Today fundamentalists or often defined by what they are against, rather than what they are for. We know what we don’t want but we are not as clear about what we do want.
There really are so many things to be against that it can eat your entire life whole. But do we really remember that we are against what we are against because we are so profoundly for what we are for? Are we characterized by what we are for or are we famous for what we are against?
It might be helpful for parents and Christian leaders to give some thought to what they are for and learn how to communicate that well. It might be good for us to learn to articulate clearly and passionately what we are for. If we do than those we love will not be as likely to be confused about what is important. If nothing else it would save us time.
Ken Pierpont
Riverfront Character Inn
Flint, Michigan
July 11, 2006
