Into the Fire

Making them one way or another . . . it’s what we do. A shout or a whisper, we make statements. In our dress, our speech, our faith, our toys, our attitudes, our efforts, our habits, our writing . . . Loud and clear.

Once in awhile we make statements we don’t mean. We lack the understanding of the message we send. Perhaps we don’t consider what we’re doing as actually sending a message. But it does. Sometimes people just don’t hear us either because our statement is unclear or it is unseen. Many of our statements get ignored, but some invoke commentary or even retaliation.

Those boots I spoke of in last week’s Friday Five always got a reaction because where they stopped nobody knew. So invariably they asked if those boots went all the way up. It was fun for me at the time to answer yes. I was definitely making a statement with those boots even if I wasn’t quite sure if the reactions to my statement were what I intended.

I don’t leave the house without makeup. I don’t wear a lot of it, but I don’t leave home without it. Nor do I leave home without cologne or perfume. And although the cost of good cologne or perfume is excessive, it’s worth it to me to smell good. When people inhale during a hug or when you’re close to them in conversation and they tell you how wonderful you smell, ask what scent you’re wearing, or say they love that fragrance, believe me, it’s worth it.

Considering yourself as a statement-maker, what is it you want to say?

There are a couple of statements I want to make. Number one, I want people to sense the Spirit of God in me whether or not they can identify Him. Number two, I want people to feel we’re on equal footing as human beings—at least from my end.

In my writing there are several statements I want to make. And if I fail to make those, I’ve failed to write what I mean. My objective is to demonstrate the world, show its conduct, philosophy, “excuses”. I counter that with the character of Christ in a character who, hopefully, is not the stereotypical Christian. Within that objective I hope to portray the struggles, questions, intentions—good and bad—we all face, live, and experience in our lives. My experience grants me “permission” to make these statements because in fact I have been there, done that. Thirty years in the world gives you a certain savvy those in the church cannot know and often discount or judge harshly while dallying in the midst of those same worldly activities and desires.

So, did you know you’re making a statement everyday? What exactly is it?

Father, make your statement through me. You speak the language of love, mercy, conviction, and discipline, always motivated by the love and truth that you are. Help me to be who you want me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.