Hearts and Beliefs

Hello everyone.

January 6th, 2020 will be a day that will not soon be forgotten in the United States of America. I attempted to thoroughly examine the events taking place, the people involved, and those commentating on what was happening. I tried to soak it all in as much as possible, to digest it before making my conclusions and reactions. I won't really speak too much of it specifically because I just don't have the capability to fully analyze and properly disseminate all the necessary information in the socio-political context of the events that transpired. Sure, I could write up a bunch of platitudes about how we need to come together and change, but it wouldn't do proper justice to the situation. Because while soaking it all in, I was overwhelmed by a monumental distaste for one thing in particular: hypocrisy.

I stated in a previous post that both sides of American political discourse are seeped in deep hypocrisy. But the hypocrisy that gave me internal fits of rage yesterday didn't really pertain to any building, election, political group, or person. It was about peoples' hearts. What really has a hold on peoples' hearts? Do they really care about other people? Do they really care about freedom? Do they really care about the US Constitution? Do they really care about equality? Do they really care about change? Do they really care about helping others? What is it that people truly care about? What is their true hearts' desire?

The "they" here is intentionally ambiguous because it could be in reference to anyone. Now I know that everyone who may happen to read this might not necessarily believe in the same things that I do but even if your beliefs are different, you still have beliefs. (Even if you are nihilist, do you not still follow the system of beliefs that pertain to nihilism?) Are you consist? Do you really stand by those beliefs? Or do you only do so when it's easy or suits your preferred outcomes in the moment? Do you allow outside influences to sway you from your beliefs? Do you change them on a whim when it feels like a majority of people on your social media timeline don't agree with you or share your beliefs?

I am trying to be consistent with this mindset. I am trying to maintain that my beliefs are not dictated by a worldly country's historical documents or society's perceived socio-ethical landscape at the time. Those things come and go. What is now seen as fair and necessary wasn't always the case. Human minds change, philosophies change, science changes, economic systems come and go. There is only one constant for me.

Who or what are you serving? Answer that question first and then be consistent or else you are lying to others and worst of all, you are lying to yourself. As for me, I love and serve Jesus Christ. Or at least I will try to, inevitably fail at times, ask for forgiveness, and try again.

Don't be hypocritical. There were times in my past where I was, where I claimed a certain belief, where I thought I was serving as I was supposed to but I was blinded by my own interpretations and ambitions. I'm sure there will be times in the future when I fail to live up to the standard that has been required of me according to my beliefs. But I hope and will strive to admit to these short-comings and continue to, as the old saying goes, practice what I preach. 

I hope that you can discover what is in your own heart. What are you breathing for? What do you believe? What (or who) are you living for? 

2021 Resolution Tracker

Moses Miles Walked: 38.2 miles

Books Read: 1

    Completed: The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons review here

    Reading: Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller (approx. 50% complete)

Bible Progress: Deuteronomy 29