Terry Storch Dispatch w.44.2020
Dispatch w.44.2020
"I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry He brought me up out of the pit Out of the mire and clay I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song" - 40 by U2
Honesty and Dishonesty
How often do you think about honesty or dishonesty? It’s an interesting thing to contemplate and process. How honest or dishonest are you? How honest am I? What does honesty, or the lack of it, look like in our culture today? I have so many thoughts on this. Just in the last few weeks, honesty has directly slammed into my reality in a few different ways.
One day, I was talking with a friend about anxiety, panic attacks, and some other mental struggles he was having. The key issue here was he’d been wrestling with this for a long time, and not being honest about what was really going on in his world. He got to a place where he no longer could contain this, and thankfully, he reached out and was honest with me. The interesting thing about this was that his honesty allowed me to be honest about a time when I walked through the same struggles. This entire situation led him to get some professional help with a great counselor.
One of the reasons why Christians aren’t always honest is due to a false reality that we have. Somewhere along the way, we’re told that we shouldn’t struggle with ___________, but instead, have everything figured out. This is just not the truth—never has been, never will be.
This 21-minute interview of Eugene Peterson and Bono is so beautiful. There’s so much incredible content and a wonderful conversation between two men whom I respect. I highly recommend watching it.
Bono said this about dishonesty:
I see a lot of dishonesty in Christian art, which I think it is a shame, because they are people vulnerable to God in a good way. I would love it if this conversation would inspire people who are writing these beautiful worship and gospel songs, to write a song about their bad marriage. Write a song about how they are maybe pissed over the government. Because that's what God wants from you, the truth. You know, the way the truth and the life...and the truth will set you free...I’m suspicious of Christians because of this lack of realism.
I loved this part of the interview where they talked about honesty and dishonesty. We can all takeaway some important truths from this. Let Bono’s final comment sink in: “I’m suspicious of Christians because of the lack of realism…”
I deeply desire to display truth and realism, and live a life that models Jesus with my actions and not just my words. And when I use my words, may they be honest, real, and not some “Christianese” language that sounds super-spiritual and isn’t real, honest, or helpful.
On October 6, 2020, Eddie Van Halen lost his long-fought battle with cancer. I grew up a huge Van Halen fan and specifically, an Eddie fan because of my older brother. While I was recently on vacation in Colorado, I watched a lot of old videos of Eddie and lost myself a bit in the Van Halen world. The interview, What It Means to Be American, with Eddie was fantastic. If you didn’t know, Eddie and his brother, Alex, are both immigrants, and a key part of their story was highlighted when Eddie responded to the American dream question. He said that when his family came to America, they had $50, a piano, and were unable to speak English. Can you even imagine that?
There were a few things I was reminded of in this interview, but the biggest is the power of the human story. Maybe you like Eddie and Alex Van Halen, or maybe you don’t. But, do you know Eddie’s story? Do you know the ins and outs of his life, his fight with cancer, or his battle with addiction? Do you know about his relationship with his son and the close connection he had with his brother Alex?
We’re so quick to jump to conclusions about people before we even know the smallest amount of information about them. I think it would be hard to discount the life of Eddie Van Halen if you really understood his story—his legacy is significant. But beyond him, who are we discounting, judging, and not really taking the time to understand their story?
Love God. Love Others. The two most important commands from Jesus are so much easier to say than actually do.
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“Overcoming our biases is hard work, but in my experience, it is work well worth the effort.” I loved this from Michelle Obama in her book, Becoming.
“Let's invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It's not about being perfect. It's not about where you get yourself in the end. There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.”
This is a great read about overcoming our biases, and I also highly recommend this Ted Talk on How to Let Go of Being a “Good Person” and Become a Better Person.
Momentum. I talk about it a lot, and a lot is written about it. We have a Digerati Axiom at Life.Church that guides us to Move Fast, Follow Momentum. This is a great mindset, but it does make some assumptions that we are following the right momentum. Here’s some fantastic insight from Seth Godin: Read now.
In the video interview above, Eugene Peterson said, “I don’t want to escape the violence.” Such a powerful comment. In the full context of the video is a masterful life lesson for all of us. I’m meditating on and allowing this thought to penetrate my soul. I don’t want to escape the violence. What areas of my life am I looking for an escape, an out, the easy way when things are really tough or when they get violent? Lord, remind me it’s not about the out, but about the journey through.
Congratulations Lewis Hamilton for your 92nd Formula One win in the Portuguese GP. Firmly planting yourself as the GOAT in auto racing.