The concept that is continually stuck in my mind from this class is- activism. I am a very passionate person and hold issues in society close to my heart. The passion that activists have always sparks my interest. No matter what the issue at hand is, I find it fascinating the reasons why people choose to so firmly take a stand. Our class was full of people with all different opinions, all different values, all different backgrounds, all different skin colors, all different families, all different lives.... Hearing from the different members of my classes and what they so firmly believed was enlightening. Whether I agreed or not, I enjoyed hearing and learning. I think one part of activism is that everyone wants to be heard. Everyone has a voice and whether you exercise that right to the fullest or not is up to you. I've always been inspired by the quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world" by Ghandi.
In our class we've talked about lots of different issues and beliefs. One topic that continually came up was church and religion. Many of my classmates all had different opinions on this and have come from different backgrounds. I thought it was interesting how church, religion, and God came up in almost every class. I have very strong opinions on this, as I live my life for Jesus. I give the majority of my time to leading a Lifegroup, discipling girls and laying my life and time down so that people may know Jesus. And I don't do it out of a sense of performance or because of religious obligation. I do it because of love. My church's motto is Love God, Love Each Other, Change the World. And that is my personal motto as well.
By my definition of activism, this falls under that category. It's an activism for justice, a promotion of grace, and an overwhelming desire to see the world changed for the glory of God because there will be a day when we all die and we will go somewhere right? What happens at the end of this life? I know exactly where I will be. Because I have experienced heaven on earth with Jesus. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
Everyone lives for something right? What do you live for?
I think everyone lives for something, whether it's for themselves, for other's approval, to be loved, or you name it. But I know what I'm laying my life down for has an eternal weight. I know that it will be worth it in the end. And that what I live my life for- Jesus- gives me an abundant life here on earth that I couldn't find with anything else of this world. I've tried to live for the world before- trying to fit in and looking to improve my social status- attempting to satisfy myself with partying or anything I could reach to, to fill up the place in me that only Jesus can fill. But it left me empty. And I'm not saying this to tell you what to do or what not to do. But I am telling my experience and that the joy, peace, and life that I've found in Jesus is nothing compared to any fleeting feeling I've felt from living for myself and the world.
This is why activism strikes me as one of the most important concepts discussed in class this semester. Because I want to know why people believe what they believe and what makes them so strongly want to fight for it. Because we all believe something- right? People were created to be a part of something bigger than themselves. For me- that is my church community and sharing the love of Jesus with everyone around me.
All semester these are the thoughts that have been in my mind when discussing these topics and I'm glad to have the opportunity to share in my final blog post. This class has taught me a lot. A lot about theatre and issues in society, and the way the two relate. But one thing about activism that I know for sure is that never do I want to be like the people in free speech alley screaming... I think that the way to see change no matter what the situation is love- a love that comes from Jesus. It's love and it's not hate. It's peace and it's not unrest. It's seeing the broken healed and blind given sight.
This is what I believe. This is what I stand for. This is what I live my life for. I will not live a life of passivity, but I will take action to boldly share the name of Jesus with love no matter what the cost.
Thank you for sharing, Lauren. I am so glad through this course and our conversations and discussions in class were enlightening for you. I agree that I enjoyed hearing the varying convictions and passions from others. It is so true that we were made to live for something or someone greater than us and when we try to live for ourselves nothing satisfies. Whether that is God, family, a passion or justice that you find yourself living for, only will you feel worth. I respect your view on activism and the open doors it brings to see what people truly love and stand for. It is not easy to stand for something that many people are against, but activism gives room for people that strongly believe in something or someone to have a voice. I too am a follower of Jesus and advocate for love to every type of people.
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