It’s evident that this weeks reading will focus on our thought life and the world of ideas that surround us.
I’m always reminded of the nature of American car names and how even that is a cultural teaching moment. Names like Explorer, Navigator, Yukon, Mustang, Expedition, Tundra, Passport, Ridgeline, Colorado, Canyon or Sierra. All of these names pointing to the west toward exploration and adventure. Car companies understand the types of ideas that get consumers to latch onto their products. In Germany you get the X7 and the M-class, Mazda has the 323, 626, RX-7, RX-8. It would be if cultural interest to understand such a wide difference in car name expectations.
So what? This points us to the understanding that we live in the middle of a culture that carries certain ideas about about freedom, love, the pursuit of happiness or God or god. These things surround us more than we think and have more sway over us than we’d like to admit.
Some of that doesn’t really matter but other matters do. What is the cultural influence on happiness, values, surrender, having/holding/keeping power, leadership, followers hip and on and on. Do I hide who I am for reputation? Do I have to be a workaholic or successful in the eyes of the world to be validated? Will spending more or looking better feed my ego and increase my sense of worth?
What core ideas govern our thinking? Invite God to reveal some of those core ideas you carry and ask God what values he would like for you to hold on to.
Truth, Grace, and Time 