The trivial is meh, not an article.

Posted on By pukeko

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I rarely link to the lectionary text for the day but in the quotes, but today the entire lectionary texts are of great worth, so go read them. The twitter stream seems to be talking about using the Lenten period as a time to deny that which we should avoid anyway.

Or they are talking about other lifestyle things. Such as going to the gym. These we need to do everyday. We should not be eating those donuts. We should be going to the gym. We should be charitable. We should stand firm in the LORD. Which brings us to the text. It’s worth noting that Paul had to deal with quarreling women — some things occur in every time and in every culture. But what is more important is standing firm in the LORD: using those parts of our culture that are good and pure and worthy as points to ponder, and avoiding that which is bad. Particularly the trivial.

Philippians 4:1-9

1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

 

2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Worrying about what you wear is somewhat important. Getting to the gym and eating correctly is somewhat important. Claiming a place of victimhood and whining about how dressing for work is “white” is… childish.

The purpose of neutral professional clothing is to be non-distracting so that people can focus on their work and be judged on their skills. During an interview, it also signals that the interviewee desires to be part of this group. If you go into an interview demonstrating a rebellious attitude through outrageous clothing, the interviewer will rightly question how much of a team-player you will be and whether you’ll really be an asset to their company. This is not some form of oppression that white men are levying on women. After all, it’s not like men – white or black or brown – find 3-piece suits so comfy and cute. They wear them because it signals that they are part of the professional class at work and are capable of submitting to the company’s legitimate hierarchy of authority.

Just to belabor the point, most men would rather be in shorts and a T-shirt or sports gear. A suit is an effort — and smart business casual is harder than a suit. But you dress to respect your patients… and yesterday with a sore foot I felt less confident teaching because I was not dressed to academic standards (yes, they exist). But this is relatively trivial. As are the tweets about food. What is happening in the world is not: either war or rumors of war…

 

Or dealing with the evil in this world.

 

Now, I’m not that seasonal a person in a seasonal church. (How the Presbyterians have changed from their Puritan Rigour when even Christmas was not celebrated is another discussion). But… each day we need to do what is important, what is our duty: we need to find the beautiful, the noble, the good. And the one hint I have is that, although the arts of acting and performing can be noble and beautiful, such virtues are rarely found on the Entertainment channels.

3 thoughts on “The trivial is meh, not an article.”

  1. Awwh, how’s your foot? Have you tried soaking it in Epsom Salts? (Or if you have good prescription coverage – Diclofenac gel. That stuff is magic on sore feet.)

    I also recommend fitting your work-shoes with gel insoles. Its like walking on fluffy clouds.

    *tips from a girl with a lot of experience dealing with sore feet 🙂

    1. Day one photo attached. It’s now more inflamed (but in a good way and the scab is starting to come off. Shoes and the toes not a good thing at present, as you can see… wearing sandals and clogs.

      1. Awh, your poor foot! I hope its been healing well! (are you on an antibiotic? That sure is a nasty gash!)

        Oooh, you know what might be a good help? A pair of fluffy diabetic antimicrobial socks.

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