There’s quite enough talk to go around, wouldn’t you say? I’ve been subjected to an overheard conversation, a blog post, and an article, all of which were cheap, because they were talk. That’s all. More talk.

Ironically, this post is just another post with more talk; I guess you can call these words cheap, too. But if they are, at least they’re self-aware, which is maybe the most important thing when it comes to talking about stuff.

That said, I’m sick of simply hearing people bitch and moan about stuff. Maybe talk is good in that it helps form opinions and solidify positions, but something has to come after that.

Oddly enough, the things we talk about tend to be those things we can’t really do anything about; I’m convinced that a good barometer of what people can’t change is found in what they go on about. At least, I’m like that. I talk about Jesus and love and faith way too often because I really don’t have enough Jesus or enough love or enough faith.

But I don’t talk about poverty in the former Soviet Bloc countries. I’m already doing something about that. It’s not some sense of false modesty. I’m simply doing my bit to help out by giving money and time, so I don’t feel the need to talk about it much. I think personally we could do more, corporately, to help the poor, the orphans, the widows of the world, but most people I meet are pretty good about that. I know a lot of generous people, who if they’re not donating money are donating time, and vice versa.

Tangentially, what is complaining really going to do? Anyone can complain. Anyone can point out flaws. Anyone can say, “Our church communities are doing $foo when they should be doing $bar!” Anyone can say, “I’m sick of this place, and I want to be in a different place.” Anyone can say, “This API implementation is simply proliferation.”

Armchair critics are a dime a dozen. Implementers - the doers, the makers - they’re rare, and beautiful. I love Derek Webb and Sufjan Stevens for that very reason: instead of merely saying that Christian music is, on the whole, a load of bollocks, they’ve gone and created music that not only mentions God topically, but reflects him in the quality of their work.

I’d like to be like that. I try to, when I create.

Last thing. How often do complainers mention God? I mean, not just mention him as this concept that exists alongside their particular beef, but mention him relationally (or to step back from the vogue, covenantally)? Maybe that’s the litmus test right there. Be doers, not complainers. But not pulling yourself up by your own laces. Instead do what you do through and with God. In relationship.

So there. That’s something I’m not good at. But I’m going to stop talking about it now, because I think I’m tipping my hand.

Tags: Jesus, ruminations