Wallets and Wilderness
A television commercial run quite a bit these days is paid for by a banking institution. In the commercial parents of teenagers are exploring their lost youth by doing things like downhill skiing and dryland snowmobiling. What's silly is the messes they get themselves in by trying to act young. The two teenage children are totally embarassed and with rolled eyes and grimaces, the boy says to the camera, "What's in your wallet?"
Not wanting to dignify Madison Avenue and marketing moguls anymore, let it suffice to say that what we do with our wallets (and the contents therein) reveals a lot about who we are and the values we hold. Our wallets (or purses or checkbooks) speak volumes about what is important to us. This post is clearly not an application of the television commercial, but there is something catchy about the tagline, "What's in your wallet?"
What it is that is in our wallets acknowledges a sort of power we have or, at least, we think we have. Spending power is a lure a capitalist society lifts on to the pedestal. This, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. It just is. With more capital we are led to believe we have more options, which is true, but we also have more temptations. With more temptations we certainly are more vulnerable to decisions which may lead us into peril.
Vulnerability to peril is similar to the conditions one experiences in the wilderness. This is most certainly true in a literal way. However, it can be just as real and threatening in a spiritual manner. Spiritual people know all too well the fright of being lost in their faith issues. Scripture says it is like being where the wild beasts are. It could be assumed that the wilderness is something to be avoided, which would be understandable.
Nevertheless, there is great value in the wilderness. When we are separated from our comfort zones and safety nets (and our wallets?), our senses are heightened. We become aware of more. The stakes are high and our ability to contend with the wild beasts may result in our survival, or demise. Therefore, the wilderness can be, actually is, good and valuable, even necessary for strength and health.
Obviously, a community of caring people is needed to provide the support required for reflection and determining what the next steps will be. Ask yourself, what is in your wallet, and how does that dictate to you any of the important things in life. Then allow some time to ponder what is going on in your wilderness, and what you are learning. One will impact the other. Together they will play significantly into one's sense of happiness and content.
Not wanting to dignify Madison Avenue and marketing moguls anymore, let it suffice to say that what we do with our wallets (and the contents therein) reveals a lot about who we are and the values we hold. Our wallets (or purses or checkbooks) speak volumes about what is important to us. This post is clearly not an application of the television commercial, but there is something catchy about the tagline, "What's in your wallet?"
What it is that is in our wallets acknowledges a sort of power we have or, at least, we think we have. Spending power is a lure a capitalist society lifts on to the pedestal. This, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. It just is. With more capital we are led to believe we have more options, which is true, but we also have more temptations. With more temptations we certainly are more vulnerable to decisions which may lead us into peril.
Vulnerability to peril is similar to the conditions one experiences in the wilderness. This is most certainly true in a literal way. However, it can be just as real and threatening in a spiritual manner. Spiritual people know all too well the fright of being lost in their faith issues. Scripture says it is like being where the wild beasts are. It could be assumed that the wilderness is something to be avoided, which would be understandable.
Nevertheless, there is great value in the wilderness. When we are separated from our comfort zones and safety nets (and our wallets?), our senses are heightened. We become aware of more. The stakes are high and our ability to contend with the wild beasts may result in our survival, or demise. Therefore, the wilderness can be, actually is, good and valuable, even necessary for strength and health.
Obviously, a community of caring people is needed to provide the support required for reflection and determining what the next steps will be. Ask yourself, what is in your wallet, and how does that dictate to you any of the important things in life. Then allow some time to ponder what is going on in your wilderness, and what you are learning. One will impact the other. Together they will play significantly into one's sense of happiness and content.
posted by Joe Marek | 1:32 PM
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