Proclivity and Perspective

Thinking about two words: "proclivity" and "perspective".

PROCLIVITY: a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing

PERSPECTIVE: a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view

Straight up- this entire post is about worship, living life, methodologies and so much more.

It's obvious we all have both of these elements of personal persuasion all the time, no? Sometimes we share and sometimes don't even come close to sharing the same proclivity or perspective with others... even though for example, they follow Jesus, vote like we vote, hang out with the same sort of people and places where we like to spend our time.

It's also obvious that throughout the history of the world and church history as well -in fact whether individual church fellowships, ministries, coffeehouse or other Christian groups, etc., there have been agreed and disagreed-upon perspectives and proclivities.

I think all this would be rather impossible to disagree with so far.

Okay, so where am I going with all this?

Consider music styles, individual songs, groups, solo artists. A little thought about this area of life alone brings us to agree, disagree, go "WOOOOOWWWW, THAT IS THE BEST!" and considering other points of style, songs, bands/orchestras/etc., "YUCK. What a WASTE of my time and audio!!" True, no?

As I write it's a Spring day in Chicago still a bit cold. Driving after dropping my daughter off at work I saw a dude walking his dog wearing a T shirt. I had low heat on in the car while wearing a light jacket. Different proclivities and perspectives of dress, heat, cold and comfort.

Further, I wear a ponytail, have on a T shirt with what I think is a brilliant quote by Nelson Mandela, a pair of shorts on which I'll wear when back in the house and over them bright red with a little black and white striped pair of fuzzy sleep pants, no socks inside my classic Crocs with holes in 'em and a Native American blue stone around my neck with an artful turtle on that.

I wouldn't wear this stuff inside most churches to attend a service though in some it wouldn't matter to them. I'd not do it while meeting with civil authorities or even in my jail/prison missions but at the old Cornerstone Festival nobody would have hardly cared or if they did, likely would grin a bit at an old guy who is also a rather wide proclivity/perspective person -and musician. Because WHO CARES? Especially in that context. But some folks care a LOT about how we dress much if not all the time, right?

So to my last point and a summary of all this.

Apply all this to how we choose to worship- what we like alone or in any gathering. See how it "lands" for you and for others and you begin to understand what loving folks unlike you is really about. Some things matter, plenty don't.

See, we are sometimes so hardcore narrow, even more narrow than God Himself, as believers so concerned about holiness (that dear reader is a MASSIVE issue and one of those I care most about in my walk with God in this sinful world!) or our proclivity and perspective we may rarely know what God's Own Word says about the issue -to the extent we judge others whose proclivity and perspective on X, Y or Z doesn't match -ours-. Then the "enemy" is simply those who don't think like us and feel comfortable or uncomfortable as we do with this or that.

Reality in worship is two people can experience the same elements in a gathering and come away with completely different takes on whether God was there or not, if they "got anything out of it" or nothing at all. Please learn from this and face facts in your own life!

I'm not saying "anything goes!" but I am indeed explaining some of the why and how we separate in unholy, unloving, self-righteous judgement of others based on our own personal sense of control, comfort and safety. This indeed goes far, far beyond our worship or even if we profess to follow Jesus at all.

Fear isn't very far from the rationale of a person who shoots someone who doesn't look, sound or seemingly -do- as we do. It drives some of our proclivities and perspectives on so many things!

I'm convinced a right fear/respect of God and actual love for others is an ongoing need. Not one or the other, but both.

See, God has more than a perspective. What He says, does and how He acts or doesn't is based on His Own nature and character which unlike ours, is unchanging and absolutely Perfect. He IS, thus says and does Truth based in His Love and justice which is too often quite unlike our mere proclivities and perspectives.

I believe it's not only spiritually mature but important and perhaps even life-saving (soul-saving!) to think on this the next time you're tempted in thought, words, posting in social media or pointing various weapons at people with the intent to demand and force your perspective.

And as always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn