Nov 1, 2005

retro shopping

I had my first day as the new interim teaching pastor at GCC. I'm jumping into a series called "RETRO." This got me to thinking about places I used to spend my paycheck "back in the day" when my top goal was a cool outfit (now I shop at Wal-Mart, yard sales, and occasionally the clearance racks of Old Navy).

So now...
a meaningless quick list of places I used to shop at for "cool clothes" but don't anymore.

  • Chess King: During my 80's "skinny tie" phase.

  • County Seat: During my 80's "Marty McFly" phase.

  • The Gap: During my 90's "90210" phase.

  • Merry Go Round: During my 90's "I'm-into-girls-named-Kiki-who-follow-me-around-because-they're-trying-to-earn-a-sales-commission-but-I-don't-care-if-that's-their-motive" phase.
Dang... how'd I make it through life without being nominated "cool guy" of the year?

Isn't it funny how some things really matter at a certain point in your life? Like being cool or looking like you're the greatest thing to grace this planet? I just found out via email that I won an iPOD Shuffle from a vendor's booth at NYWC. A part of me wants to go, "WOW! I'm an iPODer now!" Then I wonder, "Did I just get cooler... or trendier?"

The same thing happens in ministry, too. Sometimes we get so concerned with being different than someone (or something) else that we never really figure out who we are. Just today I had the privilege of spending some time with the youth pastor at the church... one of my old positions "back in the day." This guy is doing some great stuff, and what's cool is that I can see some direct ways where he's built off of the foundation of the past while adding his own spin here and there. On the other hand, I've also seen situations where the next guy/gal comes along and is so determined to be the "anti-guy/gal-before-him/her" that the whole ministry is built on trying to prove how cool he/she is.

And sadly... I've been that guy. Both of those guys, actually.

And then one day... you're just comfortable being who you are. That is, the person whom God made you to be. When this happens we move from being a rebel to becoming a revolutionary... actually having a voice for something instead of an agenda against something.

Hmm... being yourself.


I think that'll do.

    Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

6 comments:

DAKOTARANGER said...

Maybe you should have shopped at the Westernway. (just kidding, to much of a smart-alick for my own good) In college I always thought it was kinda funny we would have a group of about ten or fifteen punkrockers who tried hard not to fit in but I was the only one with hat, boots, and a duster.

ps I tried to clarify my posistion as far as Revelation is concerned

Erin said...

I'm glad that the real you doesn't wear skinny ties ;)

tonymyles said...

(not anymore... although I think I still have one around somewhere next to a Magnum PI shirt)

bigwhitehat said...

You may find it hard to beleive but, I worked at chess king. 30% discount baby.

Between the discount and the always unavailable Brandi Mobley, chess king was the place to be.

tonymyles said...

Not to mention the endless supply of bolo ties and Miami Vice shoes, eh?

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness... Chess King!

I had put that nightmare out of my mind years ago, although I'm pretty the white suit I bought there is still in my attic somewhere!