Life before 2008 19 Aug 2006 06:46 am
Not saying we should all try to be like Bono or anything…
Bono lets Christianity inform his life as source material for motivating people to care about his causes (which he makes apolitical). He repeatedly flaunts the fact that he’s not a saint, that he can’t live up to his ideals or anyone else’s. He steadily avoids answering doctrinal questions that would pigeonhole him into one camp or another.
He points to Jesus and then to a cause. And he keeps doing his job for U2 really well, which on tour includes a prayer or two, which sometimes means he cites Scripture during the deafening roar of fans that shout his name.
Bono wears his rock star persona on his sleeve, not his faith. His faith is hidden inside his black leather jacket. But it sneaks out to inform his mission and when it does, the world is repeatedly surprised in the best way. It’s like discovering that chocolate tastes good every time you eat it, even though you know it has caffeine and puts on the pounds if you gorge on it.
This, written by my friend Julie, for her weekly column. This week she contrasted Mel Gibson and Bono and the thought occurred to me as I read it that while our “externals” and personal failings may vary, I like the idea that what is on the inside will show itself. It’s a clue to discovering why two people can externally do the same thing and yet one can get a feeling that one is genuine and something’s amiss with the other, like the word or deed is a misfit, out of keeping with that persona.
on 19 Aug 2006 at 7:56 am 1.Dad2Three said …
Tia -
Welcome back - missed reading all of your great stuff. How’s life in the hills?
In my estimation, Bono is one of the most powerful poster-boys for Christianity we have. I don’t care if he walks around telling everyone he’s a Christian - anyone can do that. His actions speak clearly, and that’s what matters.
All of us fall short, and Bono has made a point of being honest and open about the fact that he’s just like everyone else - he stumbles and falls daily. Who doesn’t?
Those who claim to be “perfect” Christians are the ones to fear. When someone is demonstrating their faith by helping those in need and loving his fellow man, acknowledging God every step of the way (not to mention KICKING BUTT in concert)you can be pretty sure he’s on the right track.
I never understood the “Is he or isn’t he?” debate in the Christian community regarding Bono. I always thought that was something God would decide … silly me.
Dad2Three
on 19 Aug 2006 at 8:28 am 2.Tia said …
Welcome back yourself D232 :-). A week with no posts…whereya been? And you even toyed with your template…
Sometimes I think Bono could try a little harder in some areas….like, yes he’s human and stumbles like all of us but there are some things he does that just make me wonder how hard he’s trying (lap dances, prolific use of the “F” word, drunken interviews; in general, a lot of his ‘rock star’ behavior).
But swap it out with some of my general housewife behavior: gossip, a tendancy towards unmerciful opinion, arrogance, hypocricy, impatience, anger and I could try a bit harder too! And I don’t have near the consistant outpouring of loving others and acknowledging God in what I do that he does; would that I have more.
Trying harder where we can…I think that is what I’m hammering on in my head this week. Trying harder *because* it matters and to quit sluffing it off like it doesn’t, “we’re forgiven anyway”.