Man, I tell you. I’ve put off writing this for a while because of the title. I thought about changing it, but compulsion won’t let me. And you got to admit, it does get your attention. That’s what a good headline does.
Listen, I do hate life, but please understand that it is not in the sense of being depressed and thinking about taking myself out.
It’s what sin has done to us in this life that I really detest. Sin colors our thinking and is a barrier to peacefully getting along. Sin corrupts and coarsens the soul.
For instance, there are the recent news reports showing the video of a 68 yr. old, school bus monitor being verbally abused. She was made to cry by children, around the age of 12, taunting her about her weight and looks; and even threatening her life. Dead inside is the condition of those sin-victimized kids.
Then there is the celebratory embrace of the profane that seems to be the order of the day. It is prevalent among the Hollywood/showbiz crowd that both influences and reflects this life’s culture. Especially comedians seem to go out of the way to denigrate and make fun of God, His ways, and His people.
You can tell that their foulness is motivated by some sense of them and their audience thinking that they are being “cool” in their wisdom. Corrupted laughter keeps them from God.
This vile atmosphere even extends to those personally around us—family, friends, co-workers, fellow students, etc. A lot of them seem to be caught up in what seems like a requirement that their speech contain a filthy word, every other word. It’s normal speech in their minds.
And what’s so really sad is that some call themselves Christian. Sin has fooled them into believing that they can live and talk like the devil and still be saved. Christian or unchristian, their worldliness and their language block their understanding of God’s character.
More about language: I hate it when our pride and feelings cause things to be said to each other that shouldn’t be said. I hate it when communication is corrupted by past events, shyness, shame, walls of protection, or anything that prevents a loving, straight forward interchange. This type of dishonored language impedes us from truly knowing God and each other.
Additionally, I hate the actions of parents who view their children as though they are the worst thing that could have happened to them. The poor kids get screamed at, yanked on, slapped and cursed out. And this in public view. Sadly, every now and then, we get to hear the horror stories of what some of these kids go through in private.
Physical and mental diseases and disorders, plus death, are other aspects of this life that I hate.
At the same time, however, there is so much more in this life that I love, such as friends, family (both blood and spiritual), romance, taking walks, the design in nature, reading while eating, the human intellect, and now writing, as crude and elementary as it may be (I’m sure there are English teachers and proof readers who will agree).
Certain kinds of music, aside from spiritual and gospel, I feel strongly about too; like jazz. Even something classical will sometimes catch me by surprise and lift my spirit.
I also love to watch really good dancers. In fact, one of my favorite TV shows is So You Think You Can Dance. I usually don’t watch, though, until the final 12 to 10 dancers are chosen, and the choreographers get to tell stories through the dancers. It’s amazing what the human body can do and convey. In many cases, it’s like watching a painting in motion that morphs into another fluid painting.
What I’m saying is, for me, the positives of this life far outweigh the negatives. The positives are more than enough to make me love this life.
But this world and its pleasures for the flesh, eyes, and pride will fade away. I love and desire more the eternal ways and promises of God. The life in the new world doesn’t contain any negatives.
So, in terms of a love comparison, I hate this life.
xxx
John 12:25, Luke 9:25