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April 24, 2007
Caring is Creepy
I'm so tired tonight from the continuous grind of trying to graduate and continue to work close to full time while preparing Sunday school lessons at the same time. I just want a night off, one that brings connection with others. I will be there soon, therefore, I don't despair too much. I don't know if it's because I'm listening to somber Patty Griffin songs or what, but I'm kind of low...guess I miss people.
This past weekend at church I led a discussion about independent music. I think it went pretty well...it's the first time that I've felt like I've actually informed people of something relevant. We are all creators, He created us to be that way. Regardless of whether one is a believer in the saving work of Jesus Christ or not, we all have an imprint of God. Yes, it looks different in each of us, but He is still there...even if you don't believe it's true.
The best example I can come up with is found in that song by The Shins...Caring is Creepy. You can hear the lead singer's frustration...it is a sign of a longing for connection with others that we all have. We desire to know and be known by others, on a deeper level, because God put it in us. This is an imprint of one of God's many truths.
James Mercer, the lead singer said in an interview, "When I came up with that idea for the title, I was talking about how in my circle of friends you drink and you hang out and you talk and you do all that stuff, but as soon as you start talking about anything real, something that actually moves you or something like that, it's awkward. There's a lot of ways to kill a party...politics, etc. But I'm talking about anything that's heartfelt. That used to grump me out so much-that's where it came from."
I ask the question...what keeps us from going there? My best assumption would be the self fulfillment of pride. We like being liked almost as much as we like being known. But what would it look like if we we're aware that we were known by the same people who like us? Fantastic. I can only hope and pray that God will continue to bless me with friends that choose to be my friend, not only because they like me, but because they know who I am and want to let me know them the same way.
| By Nathan Gemayel | 12:04 AM
Comments
Man... I wish I had been in your Sunday school class...
Posted by: Jesse Heirendt at April 24, 2007 9:40 AM
“We desire to know and be known by others, on a deeper level, because God put it in us. This is an imprint of one of God's many truths.”
I see what you’re saying about hearing the frustration from this unfulfilled desire in the “Caring is Creepy” lyrics. When I was in high school I remembered having paralyzing anxiety regarding how I was being perceived which hindered being known. It was awful. Thankfully God blessed me with friends who could see though my anxiety. And that’s just it, the beauty of friendship. It’s not that your fear (of not being liked or of being perceived poorly) melts away (although it largely does), but that friends are willing to stick around AND by doing, gain more a more realistic perception of you and you of them.
I, like Jesse, wish I had been in your Sunday school class.
:)
Posted by: Heidi Vincent at April 24, 2007 9:59 AM
Hey there,
Thanks for you thoughts...I'll be teaching the next two Sundays...this week will be all about Emo and R&B...two incredibly different types of music, but both sing about the same thing...being sad and pissed off about being hurt by others.
Posted by: Nathan Gemayel at April 24, 2007 5:20 PM