Moving on, Mark was able to really help me understand some of my blind spots. He also really helped me examine my own life in looking at who I am now because of who I used to be. I can’t say that there is a direct correlation between our upbringing and our current life and beliefs. I have dear friends who were raised in Christ from solid families and they believe the same as they always have despite going through secular educational systems and living in communities full of diversity. Another thing I really enjoyed about Mark is that he applied the same idea to himself. An example is that I lit up a cigarette while talking to him and he said “see Devin, you’re proving my stereotype!” I just laughed and told him I’ll take that one. Then he said that he fulfills a stereo-type too and that was impressive. I couldn’t tell you how many people I know who label people (including myself) based on their views and how they live their life. It is rare to find somebody immediately admit that they fulfill a stereotype as soon as they point out someone else fulfilling a stereotype.
At what point did we quit examining ourselves? It seems easy to slip into everyday life to a point of no introspection. It is extremely helpful to go to people outside of your own religious bubble to see how they see you. I think we can do this without abandoning our theological convictions if we just listen to each other. There was a point where I found myself trying to find ways to sort of refute what Mark was telling me, but I was able to evaluate that all he is doing is sharing some perspective with me, and there was no need for me to try and jab him. I’m thankful that I got the chance to listen instead of having a circular argument with him about how people should live their lives or why people are the way they are.
I recommend everybody to read his newest book Practicing The Way Of Jesus, Life Together In The Kingdom Of Love. He was gracious enough to sign a copy for my son at the festival. I can’t wait to help him read through it one day and tell him about my conversation with Mark. It’s one of those talks you don’t forget about, I hope to have conversations like that a lot more often.
* While I say this is my final entry on my time at the festival, I may have more to say. In fact, I definitely have some more stories to tell and views to express, but since the after-festival hype has died down a little (until next year) I’ve decided to put those entries into my personal blog at http://www.21centkid.tumblr.com. I hope to write some more stuff for Patheos in the future, and I hope you enjoyed this short series of my time at the Wild Goose Festival.
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