Endings

It’s the last week of 2017, which means another year is about to go into the books. It seems like just a few days ago that we were celebrating the new year and anticipating all of the great things that 2017 would bring us. Now, all of those expectations, accomplishments, and maybe even disappointments are in the past as we say goodbye to this year. It certainly feels like an ending to me.

I’ve recently experienced an ending in my own life: the shuttering of a writing project I’d been working on all year. It was a great experience, but it was time to say goodbye, and so I did in an intentional, conclusive way. I’ve never ended a project so officially before, so it was a kind of ending I’d never experienced.

Due to the time of year and season of life I find myself in, I’ve been thinking lately about endings in general: what they are, what they mean, and how to handle them. I won’t pretend to have all of the answers, but I have been spent some time on it, so I thought I might share my reflections on endings during this time when I’m experiencing a few of my own.

An ending initially involves losing something. Whether it be a period of time, a creative endeavor, a relationship, or anything else, when something ends, it’s gone. That’s what an ending is: the event of something coming to a close. And that loss usually involves at least some amount of sadness. Even if you’re glad to be ending something, it still involves a loss of some kind. And that loss can leave you feeling vulnerable or even incomplete. You’ve gotten used to having something in your life, and suddenly, it’s gone. That can be disconcerting, even if it’s an ending that you’ve been looking forward to.

Endings also include an element of change. When something goes away, everything left behind cannot stay the same. There has to be some reshaping, some compensating, or some supplementing to fill in the space where the ended thing once was. Or there can be a giant hole, I suppose, but that in itself is also a pretty significant change. Either way, your life is different after an ending than it was before. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of change. Even good changes can cause anxiety for those of us who prefer the status quo, but endings force us to face change in one way or another.

But that’s not all. Because endings give us an opportunity for learning. I’ve found that I do some of my best reflection when I’m coming to the end of something big. (Thus, this blog post.) An ending is a time to look back on your experiences, synthesize what you’ve learned, and integrate it into your mindset going forward. Whether an ending is positive or negative, there is always something to be learned from it, and in that way, any ending can have a positive impact on one’s life.

Similarly, an ending can be a time of growth. I believe that we are each called to be constantly developing in response to the things we experience in our lives, and I’ve found that these endings are great times to practice that. When we’re learning and experiencing change, we can allow those things to shape who we are, how we think, and what we do in the future. In doing so, we give value to these endings, regardless of how we feel about them. If we allow these endings to spur growth in the right direction, we can redeem even the most bitter of endings and come out the other side of them changed for the better.

And ultimately, endings make room for new beginnings. I’ll get more into that next week, but here’s the gist: Endings happen for a reason. Whether it’s to learn a lesson, free up time, or create space in your life for something you really need, an ending is always meant to give way to something new. But in order to prepare for and fully take advantage of that opportunity, one must first go through the loss, change, learning, and growth that endings bring. Once you’ve successfully navigated your ending, you’re ready for a new beginning. More on that next week.

"Happy Holidays" Isn't an Insult

It’s that time of year again. The stores are decked out with trees and ornaments. Neighborhoods are covered in endless strings of lights. Everyone’s freaking out trying to get their last-minute gift shopping done. Soon, we’ll be traveling here and there to celebrate with our families. It’s all quite exciting. But in the midst of it all looms a linguistic battle that is so petty and so ridiculous that it actually sucks the joy out of the season for many.

I’m referring, of course, to the needless, endless tirade against the phrase, “Happy holidays.” For years, certain Christian groups have been on an all-out attack against the phrase claiming that the only appropriate holiday-themed greeting this time of year is, “Merry Christmas.” To them, any other language is demeaning to Christ and the fact that Christmas is a holiday celebrating his birth. They see the phenomenon of non-Christian holiday greetings as a threat to their celebration of Jesus.

But it’s not. It’s really, really not. And this week, I’m here to tell you why. If you’re reading this article and you already agree with me, maybe this will be a little encouragement for you to keep up the good fight. If you’re reading this article and you’re already offended, maybe this will be an opportunity to re-think your approach to others this year. Either way, I hope you’ll read on. Here’s my spiel on why, “Happy holidays,” isn’t a problem.

It’s simply a matter of fact that there are multiple holidays celebrated this time of year. Generally, the “holidays” are thought to extend from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day (both of which, by the way, are secular holidays) and to include Christmas. But this time of year also covers other holidays, including religious festivals like Hanukkah (older than Christmas) and cultural celebrations like Kwanzaa. In fact, this time of year has been considered a time of celebration for all of human history, probably because of the astronomical wonder of the winter solstice.

Christmas itself is a by-product of this special time of year and not the source, which sort of undermines the whole, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” argument. While it’s true that the holiday is a celebration of Jesus’ birth, we don’t actually know the date of the original event itself. And so, early church leaders had to choose a date to commemorate Christ’s birth. They picked December 25 because it was the day of the pagan festival Saturnalia, giving them a way to turn a holiday people were already familiar with into a sacred day. So really, Christmas was the original usurper of the season, not any other holiday. Even if other people are trying to steal Christmas from Christians (which they are not), isn’t it a little hypocritical to be upset about it? Just a thought.

But here’s the thing: There’s no reason we as a society cannot recognize and celebrate multiple holidays during this time of year. We live in a secular, pluralistic country, and that is not a bad thing. Diversity is something we should recognize and celebrate, not resist. How boring would it be if we all celebrated this time of year the exact same way? Isn’t what makes it special the fact that each person and family finds their own unique way to commemorate the season?

I think that the reason Christians tend to get so uptight about this issue is that we have enjoyed a monopoly on power throughout our nation’s history. From day one, Christians have been in charge. So even though officially the United State is a secular country, many of the policies and even the calendar of national holidays have a Christian bend to them. This is called hegemony, when one worldview dominates and suppresses all others, and the Christian hegemony in the U.S. is dying. Other religious and cultural groups are stepping up, pointing out the hypocrisy of our way of doing things, and demanding to be recognized. But this is a good thing. Suppressing others because they disagree with us is not only wrong; it’s distinctly un-Christian. And it needs to stop.

It’s not a culture war; it’s a recognition of diversity. It’s not an attack on Christmas; it’s a celebration of other holidays, too. Because Christian opinions aren’t the only ones that matter, and Christian holidays aren’t the only ones that matter, either. We can celebrate Christ’s birth without getting offended by those who choose to celebrate something else during this time of year. We can honor the spirit of Christmas and recognize that other holidays are going on as well.

So this year, instead of assuming the worst when someone tells us, “Happy holidays,” how about we respond with love instead? Here’s a radical idea: If someone wishes you well, maybe you should do the same back to them. Isn’t that what this season is really all about? Spreading joy and peace? As people of faith, it’s up to us to lead and to set an example for how this time of year should be celebrated. Because if we’re acting like a bunch of humbugs, how can we expect others to do any differently?

The Current State of Technology

You may have noticed that I’ve written less about technology on the blog this year than usual. That’s because I’ve been doing all of my tech writing over on my side project Prosumable. But I recently made the decision to shutter the site to focus on other projects (more on that in a future post), so I guess you can expect to read more of my thoughts on technology here again.

Writing about technology news this year has taught me a lot about the world of tech and the direction that it’s going. It’s helped me become more critical of the companies and other entities that are setting the course for the future of the industry. And it’s shifted my interest in technology from the day-to-day headlines and gadget announcements to the bigger, broader issues facing the tech world today and in the future.

So as I’m moving on from this writing project that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, I thought it might be worthwhile to stop and reflect on the things I’ve learned. Not just what I’ve learned about cool advances like augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and ambient computing (Google it), but what I’ve learned about the technology world as a whole and what we as consumers should be looking out for going forward. Here are the most important issues facing technology today as I see them.

Number one: accessibility. As great as technology can be, it’s useless if people aren’t able to acquire it or use it. And accessibility is a problem on multiple fronts.

Many technologies are economically inaccessible. They’re simply too expensive for lower-income individuals and families to purchase. This is a shame because technology is often the very thing that can elevate people out of poverty when given the chance. Something as simple as a smartphone can open up a person to a world of economic possibilities including learning a marketable skill (such as coding), starting their own business, or cultivating professional relationships. Not to mention the educational benefit technology can have for children and adolescents. Fortunately, technology tends to become more economically accessible over time, and governments, non-profits, and even corporations themselves are working to make technology available to more low-income families every day, but there is certainly more work to be done here.

Even as the prices of new technologies go down, their geographic accessibility often remains severely limited. Did you know that you couldn’t purchase an Amazon Echo smart speaker in Canada until last month? Canada, the friendly, English-speaking country directly north of the United States, didn’t have access to a groundbreaking technology created by a U.S. business for over two years. And if things are that fragmented in the developed, western world, one can only imagine how much more complex it gets as one moves further away. There are significant portions of the world that don’t even have access to the internet today, which is why Facebook and Google are developing drones and weather balloons to bring access non-connected areas (which is scary in and of itself).

Things are getting better, slowly but surely. Tech companies are starting to see the potential for growth outside of their traditional boundaries and are exploring new markets, which can only benefit consumers worldwide. And individuals in new places will inevitably find unique, creative ways to use these technologies for the greater good. Technology has the ability to build bridges and close gaps on a number of different levels if we simply give it the opportunity to do so.

And of course, there’s accessibility as it’s traditionally understood. Making technology useful for individuals with disabilities has been a hit-or-miss endeavor to say the least. But as social awareness of and concern for such issues has grown, technology companies have responded to public pressure and integrated accessibility into their products. When I read about a blind man using haptic technology to run the New York marathon without an assistant this year, I had tears in my eyes. I only hope that we’ll see more of these stories come to light soon. These individuals have just as much to contribute to the world as we who are able-bodied do, and technology often gives them just the opportunities they need in order to do so.

Next up: accountability. This one is huge, and I think that everyday consumers are starting to understand it on some level. But it’s not just about net neutrality, or whatever big issue comes next. Technology is by its very nature amoral, neither good nor bad. And in order to ensure that it’s used for good and not evil, we must be vigilant about holding those in control at all levels accountable.

It starts with individuals. We each have to hold ourselves and those around us accountable for the ways that we use the tech that we have access to. I am horrified by the stories I read about the way people abuse online anonymity to harm others. And that is just one of many ways in which individuals try to use technology to avoid personal responsibility for their actions. No matter the medium we use, we must remember that all of our actions are real-world actions with real-world consequences. Technology does not change that. And so, we must take seriously what we do with it to ensure that we’re using it to make the world a better place and not a worse one.

Corporations are also in desperate need of accountability. Week after week, I read stories about companies misleading and exploiting their customers for their own gain. Nonconsensual data gathering here. Illegal information selling there. And hacks. There’s always a hack. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of these giant companies, but the truth is that regular consumers do have a say. Through voicing our opinions, pushing for regulation, and spending our money on products and services that align with our values, we have the ability to keep these companies accountable. And we owe it to ourselves to do so.

And finally, there’s the big one: governments. I’m no anarchist, but here’s something I know about governments: They will use any and every means available to gain as much power as they can. And technology has an incredible potential for gaining and leveraging power. It can highlight voices that would otherwise be suppressed, or it can be used to do just the opposite. In the United States, at least, government and business interests have become so intertwined that regular people feel practically powerless when it comes to choosing how they want technology to be regulated or even categorized in public discourse.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t try. When we see governing bodies overstepping their bounds and regulating technologies in ways we see unfit, we have channels that we can use to speak out. If you have the ability to vote, do it. Contact your representatives, even if they fall on a different part of the political spectrum than you do. Use your voice. Organize. We have to do everything we can to keep these organizations from suppressing innovation and keeping important technology out of the hands of everyday people.

And last but not least: intentionality. As I said above, technology is neither good nor evil. It has immense potential, but we have to be mindful of the ways that potential is used. Otherwise, we risk causing destruction with these tools that are meant to be profoundly constructive.

We must consider the ways that we integrate technology into our lives. I’m not one of those people who gets angry with strangers for texting at a restaurant, but I am concerned about the ways emerging technologies will change and potentially hinder human interaction. These tools are incredible, but they must be used responsibly and in moderation. Diminishing communication skills, distracted driving, and screen addiction are early warning signs of what happens when we aren’t intentional about the way we use technology. But these problems are not irreversible. It simply takes each of us choosing to focus our attention on the ways that our devices are improving and inhibiting our lives and then acting on those observations.

But intentionality can’t stop there. We also have to think about the costs these new technologies come with. Whether it be environmental damage, mistreatment of factory employees, or just the economic burden that technology can bring, we must count the cost. And when the cost is too great, we must be willing to say, “No.” Convenience does not outweigh conviction, and so we are each responsible for understanding the impact of the technologies we choose to utilize so that we can make purchase and use decisions that align with our values.

And finally, we must be intentional about using technology to improve lives. After all, that’s what it was created for. If technology isn’t helping people—if it isn’t having a net positive impact on the world—then what’s the point? We can keep making things smaller and cheaper and faster and better, but if it’s just for the sake of those things, then it’s all meaningless. Technology has always been made to benefit human beings, and we cannot get so caught up in the pursuit of progress that we lose sight of why we have these technologies in the first place.

Really, it all comes down to awareness. That’s what I’ve tried to do with the Prosumable project: increase awareness. Awareness of what technologies are available. Awareness of how these technologies impact our lives. Awareness of our rights and influence as consumers in the face of corporations and governments. Technology has the potential to be a great equalizer and to elevate the human population as a whole to heights we never thought possible. But if it’s going to do so, the world of technology must first and always tackle these three issues of accessibility, accountability, and intentionality if we ever hope to use technology to its fullest potential.

Vocational Ministry: Year One

I don’t know how it happened, but a full year has passed since I started my first full-time ministry job. Exactly one year ago today, I stepped into Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church for my first day as Creative Media Director. In some part of my mind, it still seems too good to be true. It just doesn’t feel real.

And yet, it is. It has been for a year now. And though this year has been a whirlwind, it’s also been an incredible learning experience for me. So I thought that it would be a good idea today to share some truths that I’ve picked up on over my first year of vocational ministry.

The first thing I learned very quickly and very often, and it’s that people are more kind, loving, and generous than I could ever imagine. My church family has welcomed me with open arms. They’ve embraced and supported me in ways I never expected from a church I was serving. Whether it was praying for me as I was driving back and forth to school, volunteering to help with a project, or just offering a word of encouragement when passing in the hall, I have been constantly impressed by the love and grace that has been shown to me by my church family. And I could not be more grateful.

I’ve also learned that I can’t minister to others if I’m not taking care of myself. That may seem pretty simple, but it’s a truth that I have to keep reminding myself of. My ability to serve is dependent on both my physical and mental health, so sometimes the best thing I can do for those I’m serving is take a little bit of time for myself. When I’m stressed or exhausted, I’m not giving my best to the church and to the Lord, and then nobody wins. But when I’m engaging in self-care, I find that I have the time and energy to serve well. And that’s a practice I hope I’ll stay on top of throughout my ministry.

Working at the church this past year has shown me that I never know what I’m capable of until I’m thrown into a situation where I have to prove it. I’m pretty self-critical, and I can doubt myself to the point that I never try anything new or challenging. But when a challenge comes my way and I get up the courage to face it, I often find that I have the resources and capabilities necessary to get the job done. I just have to trust in myself and the talents that God has given me. He put me in this job for a reason, and he’s going to equip me with what I need. I just have to give myself opportunities to use what he’s given me, and that’s a lesson I’ve had to learn over the past year.

I’ve always been pretty rigid about my schedule, so it was a surprise for me when I discovered that flexibility is a life skill, not a personality trait. I used to look at people who practiced flexibility and think, “I wish I could be like them.” But through my work, I’ve come to find that I have everything I need to be like them. It’s a mindset, a choice that I can make. And though I’m not always consistent about making that necessary choice, I’m getting better. As I get more secure and comfortable in my position, I’m able to be more flexible and spontaneous when the occasion arises.

And the final lesson I’ve learned this year is that God is always faithful. No matter how many times I get something wrong, or say something I regret, or miss something I should have noticed, he’s always there to offer me grace. He encourages me when I feel discouraged. He assures me when I feel inadequate. And he constantly blesses me with a sense of fulfillment from doing his work. Throughout this entire year of change, growth, and learning, God has remained constant, and I know that I’ll always be able to rely on him as I continue to minister in the way he’s called me to.

It’s been an incredible year. I’ve started my first full-time job in ministry, graduated seminary, gotten ordained, and learned so much. This is only the first of what I hope will be many, many years of doing God’s work, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. A huge thank you to my friends, family, colleagues, and church family for all of their support and encouragement throughout this year. I am so very blessed. As I start my second year of ministry work, I can only hope and pray that it will be as full of love, growth, and fulfillment as this year has been.