It’s the end of the week…but, thank God, Christ is the end of the law. Here’s your weekly roundup of law, grace, and everything in between. Let’s get it!
Vegan Righteousness
Oklahoma State Superintendent, Ryan Walters was recently asked by People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) to display the ‘Ten Vegan Commandments’ in classrooms across the state…According to PETA, these commands, “…encourage people to lead moral, principled lives and practice nonviolence by ditching meat, eggs, and dairy and otherwise refraining from exploiting or mistreating individuals of any species,” Imagine that…Walters’ response to the animal right group demonstrates the law’s power to “increase the trespass”... I mean, where’s Bob the Tomato when you need him? The full article is available here.
Embracing Randomness
Could the key to our overall wellbeing lie in embracing randomness? Global wellness guru, Jay Shetty suggests as much in this Fortune article on the ‘science of randomness‘. According to the article,
When embracing randomness, we focus less on having optimal performance and more on the joy of the unknown. Instead of being beholden to rigid and repetitive daily routines circling TikTok—cue the “5-to-9 before my 9-5-trend”—doing something random can get us out of a rut and spark creativity.
The article goes on to note that randomness “is about the willingness to embrace something new without the pressure of perfection“. Inasmuch as spontaneity provides this kind of relief, its intrinsic value reminds us of the sufficiency of grace. Even the Apostle Paul, noted for his discipline and temperance recognized that though he worked harder than any other apostle, it was yet not he, “but the grace of God”.
The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway…
Time Magazine offers up an insightful take on the phenomenon of guys wearing shorts during winter (a battle I have lost with my teenager, btw). There’s plenty of law/grace implications within the article. Here’s an especially apt summation,
There’s no single reason why some people—usually men—like wearing shorts in chilly weather. The habit could be driven by a desire to demonstrate toughness or masculinity, says Carolina Estevez, a psychologist based in Austin; shorts guys might assume others will be impressed by their ability to tolerate punishing temperatures. Or it could be a way to make a statement and express themselves in a unique way. “It sets them apart from others and makes them memorable, reinforcing their sense of individuality,” she says. Some are likely drawn to novel and intense experiences and get a thrill out of braving the cold. Once they develop a reputation for wearing shorts year-round, they might continue doing so to avoid cognitive dissonance, Estevez says—the mental discomfort triggered by behaving in ways that contradict our perceptions about ourselves.
While ‘reform’ from this stigmatized trend is possible, the article notes that the criticism leveled at winter-shorts-guys only strengthened their resolve to rebel against socially acceptable wardrobe standards,
Adam Bertocci, who’s 41 and based in Bronxville, N.Y., considers himself a recovering cold-weather shorts guy. Starting at a young age, he would wear shorts well past the time of year when others began covering their legs. “[It’s] an easy way to prove yourself,” he says. “You don’t have to be the best; you don’t have to win. You just need to show up, endure, and never give in.” Back then, wearing shorts during winter was a harmless way for good kids to rebel, he recalls—plus, after the fifth time that someone asks you if you’re cold, a certain stubbornness kicks in, ensuring the shorts stay on. “It becomes a label you embrace,” he says. “Because why not?”
History of the Black Church: Milwaukee Edition
Last Saturday, I visited The Wisconsin Black Historical Society for the first time, even though this institution has existed in my community for more than 30 years. Mr. Clayborn Benson is the faithful custodian of cultural artifacts that document the story of people of African descent who have populated Wisconsin since at least the late 19th century. Stumbling across a 100 year old photo of St. Benedict the Moor church reminded me of an important documentary released a few years back exploring “the history, significance and cultural impact of…the first Black Churches in Wisconsin” including St. Mark AME, Calvary Baptist Church, St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Racine. You can view the half hour film by visiting this link!
One Way Love…
It was of course Valentine’s day, earlier this week. A colleague asked me, ‘how was your Valentine’s Day?”. I replied, ‘are you kidding? I’m married…so, of course it was boring and uneventful’. Haha. Indeed, I spent the evening washing dishes, paying bills, and plunking down to my favorite evening ritual, the PBS Newshour. Still, for all you sentimental lovebirds who overinvest in this holiday, here’s an old school track to remind you of the only love you will ever need – the One Way Love of God…aptly expressed in 1 John 4:10, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Superbowl Controversy and the Message of Grace
I was going to weigh in on the ire the He Gets Us ads provoked among both the political left and the religious right, but my friend Bryan Jarrell has adequately opined on this subject (and more) in his Mockingbird post from earlier this week, Super Bowl Psychology 2024. You can read it here.
Law, Grace, & Daily Living 