You Can Change The World

A while back I was thinking about free will. How, in the midst of a omnipotent power, we are each handed the ability to choose. How we are given the choice, each day, between our own agendas and a higher agenda.

In the mix, of course, are the evil forces that control this world at present. This makes the choices much muddier than they otherwise would be. Most would admit that “a higher calling” is downplayed in this world we live.

 For those of us fortunate enough to have been brought up by God-fearing parents, we have a better perception than most. But even given that advantage, I find the choices more and more obscured as our hearts acclimate to a colder and colder world.

 It’s amazing to me that people will choose to rebel against the creator, and yet, how can I dare be amazed when I do it myself everyday. It was in one of these thoughtful times I sat down and wrote a lyric. Know, as I remember, its been almost 5 years.

 I got a message a few weeks back that a publisher wants to sign the song and start pitching it. I’d almost forgotten about it. I may ruffle some feathers with this song, and you may have a theological difference with me on this. To be honest, I struggle with it still. I know that there’s a plan and a knowledge of our lives, but I also know our free will is a part of that plan and that knowledge.

 Perhaps you struggle with it, as well. Let me know what you think.

 When I wrote the lyric, I tried to give it a musical life, but ended up asking a friend of mine to put it to music. Alan Johnston is a great songwriter from the state of West Virginia, and he has a voice and life that can speak truth into these lyrics.

 Alan’s had songs nominated for IBMA’s song of the year, and has had his songs sung by the legendary greats of bluegrass. When Alan sent me the track, he urged me to add some piano. I decided it was just right where it was, and frankly, I was scared to add anything more.

 Here’s a link to the demo: YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

 Here’s the lyric:

You Can Change The World (But you can’t change me)
©2010 Tim Wheeler, Alan Johnston

Chorus:
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
And If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy

You can lead a horse to water
You can force a horse to drink
You can get inside a horse’s head
And teach him how to think, and

You can change the world, but you can’t change me        
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
And If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy

You can stage a protest
You can change the laws
You can march on Washington
And stand up for your cause, and

You can change the world, but you can’t change me
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
And If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy

You can be for the devil
You can be for the Lord
You can be for the president
Don’t care who you’re working for, cause

You can change the world, but you can’t change me
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
And If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy

You can walk on water
You can heal the blind
You can offer me forgiveness
It don’t matter ‘cause you’ll find that

You can change the world, but you can’t change me
You can change the world, but you can’t change me
See, If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy
If I don’t let you, you can’t change my legacy

Ring, Ring. Awesome SEX calling...

Relevant Magazine published an article entitled, “Christians aren’t called to have Amazing Sex”. I’m sure the article title was meant to attract some readership, and it attracted mine. It’s views on abstinence, however, seemed flawed. The overall attitude towards sex, depressing. I’m sure she meant well. You can read the article here.

Here is my response:

I have to disagree that sexual compatibility "doesn't matter to Christians".   I think when we are gifted with abundant life, good sex within the constraints of marriage is not excluded.

I would first make the observation that couples do not have to have sex to make a pretty good judgement about whether they are sexually compatible. Honest, frank communication should be part of the courting process. Abstinence should not prevent communication, especially when a couple is intending to marry. Frank communication on these issues, however, seem to be rare in the church. They shouldn't be.

For instance, if couples express an expectation of Amazing sex in marriage, to each other, before marriage, it would reveal pretty quickly if their expectations and views on sex are compatible. Because of this, I doubt the validity of the claims from the woman who "abstained and then divorced because of it", and suspect there was more to the issue than a "physical" discovery. What did she expect? What did he expect? Did they have that conversation on their honeymoon?

The other thing I would say is that I've always taught my kids (something that I was never taught by the way) that sex before marriage isn't something we avoid in order to please God. Obedience to God is for us.  Abstinence is for OUR good, not God's. I believe this distinction is the key to get someone to own and protect their own purity.

Christ's sacrifice forgave sin, all sin. Sin in our past. Sin we are yet to commit. The earthly consequence of sin, however, is ours (and our friends and families) to bear while we live out this mortal life. The bond we make with a sexual partner goes beyond the physical, and will in some way always invade the relationships you eventually build with your future spouse. It will forever color or even damage the potential for future relationships. In my opinion, that's the real reason to abstain.

Of course, only hind-sight can confirm this, and thus is usually learned the hard way.