What do you do when it collapses?

"This is a man with a history of duty and patriotism. Not as punch lines, but as core beliefs. Some people don't know what to do when their belief system collapses. - Colonel Issac Johnson, Shooter

I actually hit rewind when Danny Glover's character said this and listened to him say it again. It caused me pause. I reflected on so many examples that affect our world because of that reality. Some people don't know what to do when their belief system collapses.

A core belief is something we accept as true, without question, without argument. Running in the background at such a discreet level, we are usually not even aware it is there. Many times our sense of reality can get so tied up, polarized and distorted it is almost impossible to see which beliefs are working and which are holding us back.

• People believe their work is their identity. What happens when that systems collapses?
• People believe they are worth something because of their accomplishments. What happens when that system collapses?
• Culture teaches us to not to show emotion, look like you have it all together and self-medicate to cope. What happens when that system collapses?
• People believe that our loved ones won't disappoint us. What happens when that system collapses?
• Media tells us to accelerate sexuality. What happens when that system collapses?
• People believe if they are a good person, everything even outs in the end. What happens when that belief system collapses?
• Churches make promises they can't possibly keep. Become a Christian and your troubles will go away...your daughter will be healed...your marriage will be saved...your addiction to alcohol will end...your struggles with loneliness and depression will be replaced with overwhelming joy...What happens when that belief system collapses?
• We believe if we go to church, stay married and attend church as a family, our children won't radically rebel and hate us as teenagers. What happens when that belief system collapses?
• Expectations can be a belief system. But, then what we think is going to happen, doesn't. What happens when that belief system collapses?

Why do I give my life to what I do? Not because I don't have trouble. Not because I never mess up. Not because I think I'm better than everybody else. Not because I have all the answers. Not because the Church doesn't disappoint me. And, not because I don't ever have unhealthy belief systems.

I give my life to what I do because I know Jesus is the only hope when a belief system collapses.

But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going.
I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country.
I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch.
These are the things I'll be doing for them—sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." Isaiah 42:16

Comments

[Rindy]

I just had to blog about this--great post!!

I could address almost every one of your examples above--and when they fall apart. When it all fell apart for me I turned to more, then they fell apart. Finally I turned to the one who is solid and always there. I'm glad those beliefs collapsed...it has led me to 'the other side' of the fence...and it's awesome!!

[Granata]

What a great reminder that even those of us who would consider ourselves grounded in Christ may be deceiving ourselves. I know I'm guilty of at least the first three points.

[carolyn]

this is an awesome post... and a timely read for me.

i've started to comment on your blog so many times... but then i don't press post. sorry about that. i've robbed you of a perfectly good comment at least 3 times now. i know, i know... and now you're stuck with this one.

you are one of my favorite bloggers and on my very short list of people i would really like to meet. i appreciate your candor and your mom sense... you seem like a friend i don't know yet.

ok - - brown nosing over... i'm SO not good at that. and right out here for everyone to see. jeesh. :-D make it great!!!!

so, now all i have to do is press "post", right? ok - here goes... i'm such a chicken... please don't think i'm a nut or a stalker - i'm really perfectly (relatively) normal. (click)

[Steve]

Great post. I'm in a church where I can see the beginnings of this right now. The pastor of 23 years has left, and left behind a church that had two services. One for the old style and one for the new. As we search of God's next leader, I can hear the old style people complain that it better not be someone who will do away with their service. I'm sure that ultimately the faith of these people is in the Jesus, but, unfortunately, their belief system of what is church is in the rituals that they grew up with. That system is going to collapse, the issue is when. I hope that our younger generation never gets entrenched in a ritualistic faith system but places all faith in the One they worship through religious practices.