Ramblings

There is a song that has become rather popular with which I take particular issue. While I am not one to immediately condemn any music that does not talk about the redeeming blood of the Lamb or sacrificial atonement, much of the philosophy espoused by today's musical head-liners challenges me. Many of these songs I enjoy finding different themes and perspectives and viewing them in light of what I know to be truth; this song, however, grates on every one of my nerves. Perhaps this is because as a young generation of Christians we fall prey to the idea that no one can tell us how to live our lives.
In the post-modern, relativistic world that we live in, it is no wonder that we have dismissed so much of the strict separation theology of the past, the theology which so strictly dictated how we lived out our lives of faith. This is not a completely bad thing, but we are left sorely lacking in the realm of boundary-making. Too often we declare ourselves the "stronger-brother" that Paul speaks of in Romans 14, when we are in fact the weaker. I am guilty of slipping into this as much as anyone else. I find myself accepting the culture, and then my relationship with God suffering because I have accepted too much of the culture and forgotten my holiness and set apartness.
However, I digress. The song which I have alluded to is this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR7-AUmiNcA.
The lyrics with which I take most issue are when the artist declares
"And who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

All my life I’ve tried to make everybody happy
While I just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it’s my turn to decide"

While I am not sure to whom this song was written, or the situation, thousands of teenagers across America are ripping this song out of context to apply to any voice of authority in their life. And I think that too many Christians are falling into this trend. Our generation has grown up with such a sense of entitlement and independence that we devalue the wisdom and opinions of others to a degree that guarantees our failure. If we cannot look to mentors and teachers - even those we disagree with - we are destined to be narrow-minded fools.
It is like the camera-operator that lacks an artistic eye, but always feels the need to attempt artistic things. He zooms in with abrupt, distracting movements when he shouldn't move his shot or spins his camera quickly when it should be still. The recording director pleads desperately for him to stop because the director sees the big picture and knows how terrible and distracting this is. Yet, the camera-operator, with only one perspective before him, cannot be dissuaded and continues his lack-luster job.
Perhaps this is a confusing metaphor. The point is this. As twenty year olds, we live lives that have zero perspective. When we close our eyes and ears to the wisdom of those that have seen our situations play out before, we lose something great.
But let me be clear. I do not propose taking the advice of any Joe-shmo across the street - or Joe the Plumber. Though we despise when others tell us how to live or who to be, we have an incredible desire to impose our opinions - which are always right-on others. There are people who offer their opinion in unwarranted situations or try to play a part in your life which has not been given to them, and that is frustrating. I think that there is a healthy element of balance which must come, but how to achieve it I cannot articulate clearly at this point.
This is what I do know:
1. There are people in my life whose word I would take at face-value and whose instructions I would follow because I know they care for my best interest.
2. These same people would not be angry with me if I choose another path. They are accepting and, if I can articulate clearly why I didn't take their advice, they are okay with it. They do not try to argue me into their side, only to illuminate other issues.
3. There are people who do attempt to control my life. They become angry and hurt when I choose another path and attempt to argue me into seeing their point. Most of the time, these are shallow friendships with demanding and controlling people. While I don't dismiss their advice to their face and call them morons, I am not afraid to make them angry or disappointed because they are more concerned with being right than my well-being.

I think the most important thing is to keep a Scriptural mindset. Humility, grace, patience, and love are so important, and I struggle daily with keeping those greater than my pride or self-interest, which often get the best of me in these situations.