The song, "ain't no sunshine when she's gone" is interesting if you take it seriously- which of course the songwriter most likely never intended. Seriously though, what does trust do to your attitude?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” -II Corinthians 12:9
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4 comments:
A lot of Americans have the fantasy you described. The outdoorsman who goes off on his own and builds a cabin on a stream miles from any other soul has been admired by many. We grow up reading Jack London and watch adventure movies of the wild frontiers and idolize that lifestyle. I think part of the draw is that the frontiersman is off on his own and self-reliant. He has no one to deal with, no one to let him down, no one to let down, no one to get in a fight with, no one to build a relationship with. In effect his will is completely his own. He can do what he wants whenever he wants. However that is contrary to what God wants from us. Let’s look at the Lord’s Prayer. What does Jesus say? How does he instruct us to pray and likewise by association live?
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10
I put the key element in bold. It is not about us and what we want to do, it is about God and his will. The temptation to be lord over our lives is something humanity has struggled with from the very beginning. What does the serpent say to Eve?
“You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:4-5
Again I have added emphasis. In conclusion I would like to say this; The main reason why the lone cowboy, backwoodsman figure has been idolized in America is that he represents total freedom from all external forces. That is very appealing to many people.
Although I do not think my "dream" was quite the same as the rugged individualist that you describe- I think you may have hit one of the possible motivations none the less. Very insightful. Even if there is not a match to my particular psychology- you are dead on in your assessment of a key american mythology. And thank you for your application of scripture. It gives me hope and pride, my brother.
If there "ain't no sunshine when she's gone" then one would have to assume there wasn't any before she arrived but you had just become accustomed to the darkness.
That is a very interesting way to look at it, Ben. I'll have to give that some thought.
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