Conflict

After much delay, Danish and I finally drove to Tyler. It was a good drive; we talked about his job, school, wedding plans, future plans, and of course Don Miller. We arrived at Glenwood Church of Christ about the time he began to speak. He was much more soft-spoken than I had imagined, really nerdy and funny. Good natured. The meat of his message went as follows:

In every narrative, there is conflict. What makes it a good story is when the main character takes action and the conflict changes them. Adam was created in God's very image. He was so close to God that he could converse with him in the garden in his birthday suit and it was alright. However, he was still unfulfilled - he was lonely; God created him to want (a woman). Instead of giving him his desires, God told him to name all the animals. Conflict. This conflict lasted a while. Then God created Eve, and Adam was happy. I love how Don Miller said God did this to protect Eve because the conflict added value to her, to their companionship.

Unlike Shakespearean literature, life does not have an Act III where the story climaxes and the main character takes the right action to end all conflict. There is astounding value to what is on the other side of conflict. The Christian understands this in a profound way. We don't even belong in this world, and all the conflict we encounter makes Heaven that much sweeter. Heaven is void of conflict; in life conflict will never end. We may as well approach it with joy because ultimately we will come out the other side, stronger. When we know where we are in the narrative map of life, we experience meaning (there is something better for me once this passes, and the only way I can appreciate it is if I get through this). It has been suggested that humans innately seek pleasure; but really, we seek meaning...we numb oursleves with pleasure because we do not know our meaning.

I would say it was a hopeful message. He said a bunch of other insightful things, too. He definitely doesn't try to sell Jesus. More importanly I think he lives what he says, which many people who claim to be Christian do not demonstrate. There's comfort in knowing that I'm never going to be completely good, but that's ok. I have the opportunity to at least try to the best of my ability because it matters to God. One day, I'll thank Him for making me experience all the things I didn't want to experience.