February 2011 Archives

Free From Futility

By Joanna Johnson on February 18, 2011 12:44 AM | No Comments

     On Tuesday, February 15th, Garrison Keillor spoke here at CSP. Keillor spoke about futility. He stated that everything in life is futile. He used examples from his life, like seeing a woman read his book, which was supposed to be funny, without laughing or smiling at all. He used other examples like parents trying to control their children as well. There was a HUGE audience, and the audience laughed frequently throughout the speech. Having no idea who Garrison Keillor was before this event, I found it to be a more enjoyable experience than I expected. Keillor was an engaging speaker and told jokes and funny stories to emphasize his points.

     I sincerely hope that Garrison Keillor was half joking about everything being futile. Anything we do to please ourselves are futile, but things we do for others or God are extraordinarily meaningful. If he has never experienced this, then my heart breaks for him. God uses us to do things that make a difference, and if God speaks through us He assures us it will accomplish a purpose: "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). I could go to greater lengths than anyone has ever gone before to be "successful", but no matter how much I gather for myself, the bad things I've done will not disappear and I will die with nothing but my sin. God has heard my despair, though, and has replaced my sin with His holiness. Through sin everything is futile, but, with the holiness of God, everything is meaningful. Now that I am free from futility I don't have to worry about making myself great. By simply allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me, I can, and will, change the world.

Futility.jpg

   When I hear the word futility, I think of the book Futility or The Wreck of the Titan by Morgan Robertson. It's a story that was written before the Titanic was even built that is eerily similar to the events of the Titanic. The Titan was the biggest, best, and safest boat ever built, but none of that mattered anymore once it crashed without enough lifeboats. Reputation doesn't matter, life does. Check out the book some time (it's really good), but remember that, through Christ, we are free from futility.

Adrift on the Mississippi

By Joanna Johnson on February 16, 2011 8:59 AM | No Comments
     On Sunday, February 13th, We went to see the play Adrift on the Mississippi. The play was about a group of slaves that rode the Mississippi to freedom. The play took place mostly on the river, but also on land before and after the journey. 
     The play was done amazingly well; the actors seemed like they really were their characters. One of my favorite things about the play, was the fact that between scenes they showed pictures of actual people from the times and events they were presenting. It really connected the play to real life, and was a reminder that this isn't a cutsie play, but one inspired by real people who went through some tough things. 
civil war.jpg
     One thing that I noticed about the play was that there was a big emphasis on the difference that education and literacy make. We have grown up in a world where education and literacy are requirements and not privileges. These things are taken for granted. Schools are now more like factories, trying to produce products as close to a certain mold as possible, and there is much less individual crafting. The result is students who don't want to be there learning from teachers who aren't necessarily passionate about what they teach. Education is now often seen by students as a punishment rather than a prize. 
     This play gave me a closer emotional connection to the civil war era of the US. It taught me many things that I did not know before. It also emphasized things that I didn't necessarily think of as important. I have gained new perspective into our nation's history, and I hope to use that perspective in the future. I'm also really glad that I've been introduced to history theatre. I hope to see more of their plays in the future, specifically the one coming up about Buddy Holly!
« January 2011 | Main Index | Archives | March 2011 »