People in Common

During the busy work day, it's as if we are all occupied by our individual sections of a giant puzzle. We don't often get a break to observe the "bigger picture." This applies to businessmen, mothers, and yes, even pastors. Yet we also long to connect with others, to consider how we "fit in," and explore the larger meaning behind it all.

But how do we do this? How do we find ways of bridging our island with others'?

Recently, a charming old woman who reads this blog asked me to comment on American Idol. I think this fits right into the topic at hand. I would suggest that this show is so popular, at least in part, because Americans feel this need to connect. Celebrities provide "people in common" to discuss or gossip about, and TV shows likewise provide "stories in common" to share.

However, if leisure time is used only for escape, and not also for more meaningful exploration, our society is certainly watered down. It's much easier to connect with people by discussing the latest Idol, Apprentice, or Survivor - and I don't think this is wrong in itself - but we benefit most when we connect on a higher level. For example, if we are able to share not only celebrities and songs, but also our ideas and our faith.

Here's an old song from the Bible that helped connect people together for millennia. I haven't heard anyone cover this song on Idol (at least not yet) but it's a good one.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man, that you care for him? (Psalm 8:1-4)

In our free time we determine, whether intentionally or not, what we will have in common. More profoundly, we determine whom we will have in common.