Living a Derivative Life
February 25, 2008 by Randy
Filed under Activism, Asides, Christianity, Culture War, Current Affairs, Ex-Gay, Gay, Homosexuality, Life, People, Prayer, blogging
A couple of weeks ago I heard Laura Ingraham go after Keith Olbermann. He apparently names her “The Worst Person in the World” quite often. She said a bunch of very funny things but the one statement she said,, that I didn’t write down so I am probably paraphrasing, is
“He (Olberman) lives a derivative life. His life is a derivation of others …”
I have been stuck meditating off and on about that ever since. Not specifically about the situation with Laura and Keith but the whole concept of living a “derived” life. The implication in the above context, for me at least, was that some people will derive their sense of being by attacking others by name. They derive what’s important by scrutinizing the actions of others, not living out of their own core.
I thought of several bloggers along these lines. I think the hallmark of a blogger who is a “derivative blogger” and not a truly unique contributer (no matter what their blog title) is that they personally attack people on a level that they themselves aren’t transparent about in order to gain an audience or prove a point…instead of simply making their case. They don’t simply make their points and allow that to draw the intended audience. They attack, very personally, . They also like holding others to a standard that they themselves don’t define or try to live up to for themselves.
Another personal meditation was how much of my life is “derived” by not being gay? Honestly today, not much at all … if any. I just don’t think of life in the limited and woefully inadequate context of gay or not gay. Life is so much more than that one issue. At the beginning of my journey, my identity and purpose was largely derived from not being gay anymore … which I learned is an oppositional approach to life which doesn’t work (for me) for long. However, that was a natural beginning for me considering that my whole life was “gay” centered before.
With the Lord’s guidance, I embraced my identity He gave to me and gained purpose from Him. This has proven to be life giving and much better than any one aspect of my past. I don’t get meaning and purpose in life from being gay or not gay. I don’t get meaning and purpose in life being in opposition to any community or any person in particular either.
That doesn’t let me off the hook to stand up for what I believe in, it just means that that part of what I do is not who I am.
I am not the most confident person on the planet but I am confident in this; my identity and purpose are not a reaction. I don’t have to prove anything about my sense of being in the light of opposing someone or something else.
Unfortunately I think it is acceptable in today’s age for some to gain popularity and a sense of self worth by only standing in opposition to public figures or communities they aren’t even in relationship or dialog with. Some even accuse others with the intent of seeking a high profile for themselves at any expense.
That’s sad. What do you think?
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Great insight, Randy. Understanding our identity as God sees us is key to living a successful life, in my opinion. Sadly, when we’re insecure in our identity in Christ, we do resort to fleshly responses, one of which can be living the “derivative” life.
Lately I’ve come to realize that there are really only two essentials, from which all else flows. Those two essentials are:
1. Knowing who God is
2. Knowing who we are in Christ.
If we can grasp both of those two essentials, so much else falls into place.
And learning both of those two essentials really takes a lifetime of discovery. Wonderful and joyous discovery.
Thanks Nick and I completely agree with your two essentials leading to all else and it being a lifetime of wonderful discovery. That’s a great way to distill finding “joy in the journey.”