Last night at draughting theology we talked about fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) as it relates to faith that calls for "trust without reservation." The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that FUD is the status quo of 21st century America. Even before 9/11 the tech bubble was popping, and economists were feeding us worry.
As I struggle with the parable of the wedding banquet, I think that perhaps nothing is new. The invited guests who "made light" of the kings invitation went back to their fields and to their businesses. They were worried about their livlihoods over and above the ability to enjoy the festivities of the weeklong party. Those who did end up at the party chose to enjoy the promised revelry of the king's party, except for one guy.
One guy didn't show up in the celebratory clothing. I'm guessing he showed up in his coveralls worried that he might have to run out to the field to fix a busted hydrolic line or maybe he was still in his suit expecting his iphone to blow up any minute about a meeting with high level bank executives. Whatever the story, I wonder if he was worried about the outside world rather than invested fully in the party that was at hand.
When Paul calls his friends in Philippi to think about "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, any excellence and anything worthy of praise." He is asking for them to stop worrying about the other stuff and put on the garment of celebration.
In our world full of worry, is it possible to do such a thing?
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