What You See May Not Be What You Get

     I'm sure that everyone reading this has heard the phrase, "What you see
is what you get."  Unfortunately.. as far as life is concerned.. that is not
usually true.  And this is especially true when it comes to people.  But with
the society blossoming the way it is, it seems that most everyone is still
stuck on the addage.  I mean.. we know in our hearts that we should marry for
love.. but most of us end up marrying not for love.. but out of our
infatuation for the person we have selected.  Please forgive me if this is
ramblings.. I came up here to WWU today with this inspiration to write.. but
I dunno what'll come of it. :)  But anyway.. look at the world.  A tree
usually looks like a tree.. a flower usually looks and acts like a flower..
and animals usually behave like.. well.. like animals.  Seldom do animals
take a different course than they have for the thousands of years their
species have been on the planet.  We often find that 1+1 is 2.  We know that
red and blue make purple when using paints.. but one thing I'm reminded of..
is that when red and blue are used for light filters.. they end up being
white.. and not purple.  So, like Mr. Miyaghi said.. "Not everything is as
seem."  
     I was watching a Jenny Jones show earlier today.  It was on "Club
Kids".. i.e. people who live in clothes that are usually reserved for Dance
clubs.  The show started out with this one girl.  She was definitely dressed
to get people's attention.. and she said she was interested in girls as well
as guys.. and that she had never gotten a rejection.  Then of course.. a few
minutes later.. after she had pleasantly stated that she prefered guys with
long hair.. Jenny went to a member of the audience with long hair.. and he
proceeded to tell the girl on stage that he wouldn't be interested.  Then
there were a few other girls who came on.  And everyone of them seemed to be
flaunting their appearance.. whether they were dressed in what the world might
call "normal dress".. or dressed as a Club goer.. they all seemed to be
royally enthused about their own forms.  Yet now as I think about it.. I am
beginning to wonder how much they really value themselves as a person.. form
included.  I mean.. if what I have seen in the past holds true.. the girls
probably were still rather insecure about themselves.. and just buried it in
a lack of inhibitions.. and the attention they got.  I started to think.. "Ya
know.. I'd like to get into a quiet restaurant somewhere.. and just talk with
any of these girls.  Not where they're put on display.. but where I could
find out about the real them.. the "them" inside the makeup and costume.  I'd
like to figure out who they really are.. and what they really wanted from
life.  I'd hazard a guess it isn't too outlandish.. for the most part.. and
if it might be.. their desires may simply be a front for what they really
wanted deep down."
     That's I think why I'm writing this.  Well.. one reason.  I have heard
too often people slamming one another for things which are rather
unimportant.  I know it goes on in all circles.  If someone doesn't fit in..
it's natural to slam them.. to make an example of them maybe.. even enjoy
poking fun at their oddities.  But have you ever wondered why people do "odd"
things?  As a confirmed nonconformist.. let me tell you a little about my
life as someone "odd." 
     As a child.. I didn't fit into most groups.  As a little kid.. I was
labeled "gifted".. and everyone knew I was good at school.  Yet.. my remarks
were frowned upon quite a bit.  I got laughed at whenever I was wrong.. or at
least.. most of the time.. I was usually the last picked for sports games.. I
never had any true friends as a child -- partially because I didn't know what
a friend was or how to be one.. but partially because.. few people gave me a
chance -- and those who did... without fail.. proceeded to one day leave me
in the dust.  Now I ask you.. is this fair?  Maybe the old addage is right..
people who don't want to be your friend aren't worth your friendship.  I
dunno.. I don't believe that anymore.. but I do believe that there are an
awful lot of "weirdos" out there who have been mistreated.. just cuz it is
human nature to mistreat em.
     Now.. what about clothing?  I mean.. do the clothes *really* make the
man?  Or does the man make the clothes?  In our appearance-conscious
society.. we are always on the lookout for what someone looks like.  We are
quick to judge them based on what we see.  Why?  Simple.. we're lazy.  Yup..
that's right.  A huge reason why a lot of us focus on looks is because of our
own laziness.  You may be wondering, "Ok.. how does liking a girl who dresses
def make me lazy?"  It's not the liking that makes you lazy.. it's the
attribution of character based on what you see.. that makes us lazy.  
     See.. as a lot of you have probably already figured out.. what a person
looks like doesn't say much about who they are inside.  Yet.. we still
applaud the well proportioned girls who walk across the stage in a nice tight
bikini.  We gawk at guys who dress to show off their sixpacks.. we swoon at
everyone who adorns themselves in such a way as to say, "Wouldn't you like to
have me around more often?"  And maybe that's what they *are* saying.  But
first thing's first.. why does it make us lazy?  Simple.. because society has
become a very "feeling-based" society.  And.. of course.. to like someone is
really to be saying, "I am pleased by you".. or "I find pleasure in what I am
perceiving about you."  Matter of fact.. the way you say "I like you" in
Spanish is "me gustas".. which means.. "you are pleasing to me".  See.. we
are so caught up in feelings... that we judge a person.. initially at least..
if not quite often.. by how their appearance makes us feel.  If they are
underdressed.. or not well dressed enough in a classy situation.. the
well-to-do people will often snub their noses at the person.. why?  Simply
because of their attire.. because they are "beneath" the "elite" that the
onlookers supposedly are.  And that's what we all do -- regardless of our
station in life.  We look down our noses at anyone who doesn't fit our idea
of pleasant-looking.. simply because of how their appearance makes us feel.
But have you ever stopped to think, "Well.. hmm.. why do they look this way?"
A lot of studies may have been done about why people dress the way they do..
but if there aren't any.. I can still guess what the findings would be if
they were.. that is.. if the findings were factual.  We'd find that people
dress the way they do because.. overall.. it makes them feel comfortable.
OOOhh.. there it is again.. the c-word.  Watch for that word in your life..
you might be surprised at how often it pops up.. especially in the U.S.
Anyway.. continuing.. why do people dress the way they do?  Because something
tells them.. inside.. that.. if they dress a certain way.. they'll get a
certain something from society.. and if they look a certain way.. they'll get
a certain something from society.. unfortunately.. as many people figure
out.. it's not society that can fill the longings in the heart.
     See.. that's the whole kit and kaboodle right there.  We are born with
longings in our heart.. longing to be back in that safe place called the
womb.. longing for the quiet darkness.. longing for food.  Matter of fact..
there is not a single human heart that never experienced longing.. and
longing won't cease until the world is made new again.  But.. there is a way
out of it -- a way that I'll share shortly.
     But as I was saying.. it all comes out of longing.  We dress for
approval.. for attention.. for acceptance.. we pray for big breasts or a
skinny waistline.. why?  not so much for health reasons.. as for attention..
and maybe.. even self worth.  Bleh.. fooey.  I like what Susan Powter said
about being fat.  "You can be fat and beautiful.  You can be fat and be a
good person.  But you can't be fat and be healthy."  See.. it's the important
things that we need to focus on... but.. our problem is.. we are all
focussing on different ideas of what is truly important... and this,
unfortunately, is gonna be a fight among us for a long time.  Yet.. if you're
truly interested in finding out what is really important.. and what really
gives you the peace of mind you need to keep going.. and know that you *are*
a beautiful person.. and *are* worthwhile.. then keep reading with me.. you
might just find something you've needed for awhile by the time you're done
with this.
     I think the biggest question we need to answer is.. "Where does
self-worth come from?"  For a lot of people.. it comes from what they have.
For others.. it comes from what they do.  For still others.. it comes from
the God they serve.  For me.. well.. when I'm willing to hear the truth.. it
comes from two main places.. and I'm working on the third.
     The first place self worth oughta come from is.. who you are.  Every
single human being is a creation.. made by God's hand.. not by man.. not by
some superbigbangevolutionarybillionyearsofrandomnessgoingbackwards.. but by
someone who has loved you from before you ever set foot on the planet.  I
know that quite a few of you reading this might be wondering if God really
did create all that you can see.. or if He only created part of it.. or if He
even exists.  Well.. I have two words for you:  "Keep searching."  If you're
truly interested in finding the truth.. the truth will make itself evident if
you keep on searching for it.  That is a guarantee made by God, Himself.  The
actual word-for-word guarantee is that you will find God when you seek with
all your heart.. and since Jesus.. the truth, Himself.. is the way.. the very
path to God.. your knowledge of the truth will grow as you get closer to God.
And that's where self-worth starts.  Self worth starts with believing that
you're a creation of God.. and that God took special care in making you.  Not
that you were created from some assembly line.. not that you were someone
that God just "threw together".. but that God took His time in fashioning you
into someone very special.. who He wants to love and care for.  You are
worthwhile in His eyes.. simply because.. you're His.
     The second place to derive self worth from.. is.. what you do.  Now.. a
lot of people say that this has nothing to do with self-worth.  On the
contrary.. we are evaulated by God *constantly* based upon what we do.  We
*still* have that intrinsic worth that we were born with.. because He made
us.. but.. we can either augment or counteract that worth.. simply by how we
choose to live our lives.
     Ok.. I can hear a few of you already ready to come at me with the
argument of "saved by faith, not by works".. and that it is not by ones own
worth that a man is redeemed.. or brought into God's presence.  This is
true.. however.. just because a man receives a new bicycle doesn't mean he
gets treated the same whether he takes care of the bicycle or not.  This is
much like how we are evaulated by God.  Upon receiving God's forgiveness by
faith.. we are given a new bicycle.  This bicycle needs to be cared for.. and
ridden.  We have things that God desires of us.. and we need to do.  God may
love both the obedient and the disobedient.. but He doesn't treat them the
same.  The Bible makes it very clear.. that if we refuse to take care of our
bicycle.. we will end up like the people who received the wedding
invitation.. but were caught up in their own cares.  God expelled them from
the wonderful things that were going to happen.. and let in any who would
come.. If you know the parable.. then you'll remember that the people who
refused to accept God's invitation were "God's chosen people".. and that God
had his servants go into the gutters and streets.. and invite everyone else.
So don't think that being chosen as "One of God's people" guarantees you
Heaven.  Remember.. God threw out the old tenants who refused to keep his
vineyard correctly.. He'll throw out anyone who does the same.  Our obedience
is one thing God desires above all else.  That and our love.  Of course..
true love for God is manifested directly in.. you guessed it.. obedience.  As
Jesus said.. "If you love me, you will obey my commandments."  That's the
real truth of the matter.. true love is not about feeling good about who God
is.. it's about doing what God desires.. regardless of how scary, dangerous,
or painful it may seem.  If it's from God.. then it's for the best.
     Now.. what if we take care of our bicycle.. but never ride it?  That's
the second problem.  Jesus talks about this type of person too.. He's the
one-talent servant in the parable of the talents.  He buried his talent
rather than investing for a return/profit on God's gift.  A lot of people who
call themselves Christians fall into this category.  They believe with all
their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.. but when it comes to
obeying His call... they fall far short.  Now I can't say God calls everyone
to go overseas.. Nor will I say that God calls us to be a preacher from the
moment we receive Jesus into our hearts.  But I do say that.. God calls us to
know Him.. and those who know Him personally will.. by nature.. preach.  They
will see His love as real.. they will stand on it.. and won't be able to keep
themselves from telling other people about it... cuz they realize the world
is nothing without Him... and that.. as He's the very best example of Love we
could ever find.. it only makes sense that we do as He desires.. for what He
wants will always end up in spreading the most love.
     Ok.. so.. we have a bicycle.  We need to take care of it.. and ride it
when we've learned how.  But one of the steps in riding this bicycle is
sharing love with those around us.  And the only way we can truly do that..
is if we drop our bigoted hearts.. and stand tall on God's love alone.
     Some of you may think "bigoted" is a little harsh.  But is it?  Think
about it.. we judge people for things that are of little importance in the
whole scheme of things.. their hair.. their breast size.. their fashion..
even their performance in bed.  Granted.. these things do seem to affect us..
even touch is very deeply.. but when it really comes right down to it.. there
is only one thing that really matters in the end.  When all the bells and
whistles have died down.. and when all the trumpets have sounded.. the only
thing that is left is.. did you know Him?
     I may have talked about this in a previous essay on my webpage here..
but if I did.. take this as a recap.  If not.. enjoy. :)  The word "know"
here.. was well used in the days of the KJV Bible.. it was used.. as some of
you may recall.. to mean intimacy between a man and a woman.. sexual
intimacy.  And yet.. there's far more to this word than just a physical
joining.  To know Jesus.. means to know Him intimately.  To get to know who
He really is.. and interact *with* Him as often as possible.  Yes.. I do mean
*with* Him.  That is not quite as hard as it seems.. but it does take
discipline.  See.. as you may recall.. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the
life.  Well.. if you get a really good spiritual perspective on what this
means.. then you start to realize just how impossible this world's existence
would be without Him.  Even the Bible says, "In Him, all things hold
together".  And that's the truth.  He is the very living breathing force
within all things that is filled with perfect wisdom.. and all power.  He is
God's very Word.. a power we have little chance of truly understanding the
mechanism of.. but a power which is perfect.. and always right.  We all know
a little about Him.. because we've learned how the world works to a degree.
But if you really want to get to know Him.. you do have to open the doors so
that He can lead you and guide you personally.  As Christians.. we're
supposed to have done that.. and we're supposed to let Him lead.. but.. a lot
of us claim lordship where none exists.  We claim to be following Him.. when
actually we're still following mostly our own lusts and desires.. and
refusing Him reign.  Oh granted we can't be perfect.. but we *can* give Him a
lot of say in our lives.  Yet.. due to our own desires to hold onto our
pleasure.. we refuse the better gift of truth.. which brings perfect
pleasures.. pleasures that will last forever.  And this is what Jesus is
calling us to.  Not to a mere servant's quarters at the far end of the
castle.. where we receive a crust of bread and a pitcher of dirty water.  But
to the very table where God, Himself, dines.. to be His family... and to
share in all His perfect goodness.  
     So.. this is our road.. and our bicycle.  We are called to love all
those around us.. not just if they look like we want them to.. or smell like
we want them to.. or walk or dress or act like we want them to.  We are
called to be like Jesus.  If you recall Jesus died on the cross.. so that any
who came to Him might live eternally.  He paved the way so that whomever was
willing.. could get an exemption pass from the gates of death... and receive
freedom from the curse that's as old as Adam, himself.  And we have to do the
same.  We have to pave the way to Him.. and the only way to pave that way is
with the purest love we can muster.  Of course.. this love is only brought
through by the Spirit.. but we can quench His work oh so easily in our
lives.. it's easy to be bigoted against people because they don't measure up
to our standards.  It's easy to look down our noses at them because they are
dressing or acting what we might call "odd" or even downright "weird".  But
be careful.. these people were created by God too.  And maybe they didn't
grow up in as nice an environment as you.. maybe they didn't have the
luxuries you did.. and I mean luxuries like true friends.. true guidance to
find God.. true guidance to see what is really worthwhile.  They have
surrendered to a lot of what the world had to give.. simply because the world
was the only one they saw offering.  
     Tonight.. when you press your head to your pillow.. think about it.  Are
there people in your life you look down at?  If there are.. do you really
have the right?  I've often heard the statement.. "The ground at the foot of
the Cross is level."  i.e... nobody is above anybody else.. save Christ,
Himself.  Nobody has earned a place in Heaven.. Nobody deserves any love they
get.. Nobody has anything in this world that God didn't allow them to get..
whether it be riches or physical attractiveness or power.. God is in
control.. and He has set this whole world up.. to prove that He is.. indeed..
God.  He'll prove once and for all just who is master and lord over the
universe one day.. and it'll be rather dangerous to be on the opposing side.
But we know a lot will be there.  And their judgement will be upon their
heads.  They refused the free pass Christ gave them from all the garbage the
world has in it.. and from all they were born into.  They wanted their own
pleasures instead of Christ's perfection.  Unfortunately for them.. in the
end.. pleasure won't cut it.  I remember telling a friend.. A lifetime of
intense pleasure doesn't compare to an eternity of bliss.  So even if you get
everything you ever wanted on this planet.. you may still miss out on what
really matters.
     Oh.. by the way.. if you *are* still reading.. and *are* interested in
what Jesus really has to offer.. then I invite you to spend a little time
talking with God.  He'd love to hear from you.  So would Jesus.  As I said...
He died so that anyone who would come to Him could have eternal bliss.. not
just eternal drudgery.. or eternal blah.. but eternal wow.  And all you need
to do as a first step is believe it.  Believe that Jesus.. somehow in His
perfect heart.. opened the pathway.. by His death and resurrection.. so that
you can have a new life. That's it.. it's that simple.  By faith.. you will
be transformed into someone new.  You may not feel like you're someone new..
but trust me... you are. :)  
     Then comes the second part.  This is the part a lot of so called
"Christians" get hung up on.  They quickly believe that Christ is who He said
He was.. that He died on the Cross.. that He even was raised from the dead...
but this next part is the real working power that keeps you in God's favor.
Faith gets you there.. but obedience keeps you there.  
     See.. as I explained above.. Jesus is more than just another man.. He is
the perfect.. spotless.. Son of God.. who was sacrificed so that we could
begin a completely new life.. and know God again.  He is the very fulfillment
and exemplefication of all truth -- i.e. He's got all that is good rolled up
inside Him.  And He wants to help you live your life in the best way
possible.  So.. He needs your cooperation.. He needs you to realize that you
have been told a lot of lies by the world.. and that you need to have them
washed away.  And.. as He is the perfect example of truth and holds all
wisdom.. He wants to direct you in all your ways.  Yup.. you got it.. all of
em.  This is what we call Lordship.  He wants you to submit your heart to
Him.. to let Him be your Boss.. realizing that He only has good in mind for
you.. not that all things that happen will be pleasant.. but that the ending
product of what He and God have planned will be beyond beautiful.. and that
He is the only one who can lead you there.  
     See.. your own heart is filled with what you've learned over many
years on this planet.  Some of it is true.. but some of it needs to be
burned.  And Jesus is the only one who can show you just what needs to be
kept and what needs to be thrown away.  He needs your absolute cooperation.
     Ok.. before you jump into this.. let me warn you about something.  If
you haven't figured it out yet.. not all people who call themselves
Christians are really Christians.  They may believe in who Jesus is and what
He did.. but they may be very poor examples of what Jesus wants in a
disciple.  Granted.. no one is a perfect example.. but some are far better
than others.  And in this day of extreme hedonism.. many people who go to
church and claim to know God.. simply don't.  This includes pastors, priests,
and any teacher you may encounter as well.  The world is all around you.. and
it's trying to destroy the church as best it can.  satan.. the mastermind
behind the church's attacks.. desires to destroy every little soul he can get
his hands on.  Unfortunately.. finding out what's of satan requires something
that a lot of people don't want these days.. a willingness to be wrong.  A
lot of people stand on their own veracity like it was a pile of gold.. even
if it's mostly just a mountain of muck.  If scientists say it's true.. then
it's gotta be true.  If teachers teach it.. it must be true.  If they say it
on tv.. hey.. why not?  This is gonna be a tough road.  A lot of churches are
going to mislead you in some way or another.  They will preach you doctrines
that simply are not Biblical -- oh they may use words *from* the Bible to
back up their ideas of what they call "truth".. but be skeptical about
everything.. make sure that's really what the Bible says before you take it
as law.  And make sure that the passage applies.  But how do you know when
you start?
     This was my trouble.. I was led to Jesus' real desires in a church that
was very judgemental.. and seemed more in making converts than loving
people.  A lot of churches out there water down their truth so much that it
never lands where it needs to.  Still some are so judgemental that they scare
away a lot of people who really need to be loved.  Finding a really good
church is next to impossible these days.  Unfortunately.. without some
guidance.. it's very easy to be misled in your first days as a believer.  I
offer myself as a beginning.  If you really wanna know God.. and need help
starting out.. I can do my best to help you find the basics and get started.
I'll also help you find a church in your area if you want.. just be
forewarned.. I'm not the easiest guy to please when it comes to churches.
I've had a lot of em erupt this way and that.. and heard quite a bit of junk
come from pastors' lips.. so I'll do my best to find you a place that really
is worthwhile.  If you want me.. I'm here.  Just email me at
n9830164@cc.wwu.edu and I'll be glad to help.  
     If you're ready.. read the following prayer over.. see if it makes
sense.. if you understand it... and if you really want more than you could
ever ask for.. pray it to God.  He's listening.. and He'll help you.

     Daddie.. I realize I've not lived how I should.  I've been a far cry
from who You've wanted me to be.  I've lived what you call a "sinful life."
I thank you for sending Jesus to erase all the damage I've done to my life..
and for paving the way so that I can know You as the loving and perfect God
that you are.  Please.. forgive my wrongdoings.. and wash me in Jesus'
perfect Blood.  I need you.. and I accept your love.  From now on.. I will
live with Your Son as my Boss.. what He wants.. I'll do.  What He doesn't
want.. I'll refuse to do.  For the rest of my life.. I'll do as You say..
even if it hurts.  Thank you for loving me.  Amen.

     If you've said that prayer.. write me.. I'd really love to hear from
you. :)  You're a beautiful creation of God.. now made new.  You've taken the
first step on a road that will lead you into the most happiness, joy, and
perfect pleasure you could ever have.  Hope to hear from you.  Oh.. and so
does God.  Talk with Him often.  He's always willing to listen. :)

     John Chalice -- crysaliq -- n9830164@cc.wwu.edu