Reflections for the moment #26 Icon (18th July 2009)

Do not remember the former things. Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it. I will even make a way in the wilderness, and the rivers in the desert?'

Isaiah 43:18-19

By now, most would have heard of Michael Jackson. But how many of us have heard of or remembered who Alex Comfort was? Alex died in year 2000. Many of us, who might have confused our present paunch for our past youthful panache, might still experience a rush of adrenaline in our hearts, when we recall with fondness or more like lust, the recently departed Farrah Fawcett. And does anyone remember Lee Majors, the "Bionic Man," a once popular television series(1974-1978) starring Farrah's ex husband, also known as the "Six Miillion Dollar" man.

Compared to today's billions going down the drain from continued government efforts to refloat the listing financial system, six million dollars is definitely small change to reconfigure a man of flesh into a mix of flesh and bionics.

An icon as defined in the Wikepedia is a name, face, picture, edifice or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities: one thing, an image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance through literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, or economic standing.

The book "The Joy of Sex, published in 1979, might have better luck in triggering or if not, at least stirring that long subsumed carnality in all of us. Published almost 40 years back, in 1979, the book became the procreation guide to intimate discovery and experimentation for a generation of adults and wet in the ears schoolboys of my time. Controversy it did stir globally, and it must have been a while since the earlier equally controversial 1928 book, "Lady Chatterly's Lover" by D.H. Lawrence had a similar impact on superficially strait laced post Victorian society. In today's liberated context or more like devil may care attitude, this book by Alex Comfort seemed almost sterile.

This is about all that I will indulge in the realm of carnal passion, and it is time to come to the real intent for introducing such "racy" literature in my short nostalgic spin. But first, for old times sake, just a little side track. Some of you might have heard lately on radio or television, a little ditty for an advertisement which used a popular song made famous by once famous 1970s soul group, "The Stylistics." Guess back then, Afro hairdos and bell bottom pants were the in thing. My children are not into wearing wigs yet but they seem to love this song and I am hearing it quite often lately thanks to them

'..you believe in Him and are filled with an unspeakable and glorious joy.'
1 Peter 1:8

Karl Marx, though never statesque, is now a statue. I do believe with the tumbling of the Berlin Wall, his statues did remain in many parts of the far flung Soviet Empire. A let down it might be for some, I do apologise, for so quickly shifting from the hip and the sleek iconic symbols of the 1970s to the dull and dour idealism as embodied by the foundational father of communism.

But Marx in the era of his time did offer hope, not sure about joy though, to the many disaffected and disgruntled masses in the old Tsarist Russia, where the chasm between the privilege capitalist class "bourgeoisie" and the peripheral working class "proletariat" (even though the latter forms the bulk of the population) is wider than the broadest ocean.

But how many have heard of Marx? And how many in the world are still in the past few years, incorrectly associating caricatures of Mao Tse Tung and the like,with the till recent frenzy with Chinese contemporary art, without appreciating the iconic stature of this man whose actions impacted the most populous country in the world, and indirectly all of us?

'That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children.

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.''
Psalms 78:6-7

In the 1970s, I was already a believer, or at least I thought I was!! But like most today, really not fully comprehending nor giving two hoots to what that signifies. But I did remember the 1970 rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar." by Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice. We were in a world that was coming out of the drug induced go go days of the '60s and maybe there was a need to go back to our source of comfort but yet a need to repackage Christ to meet our comfort zone.

As imperfect men, we are always looking for that perfect icon or icons that would appeal to us, albeit temporarily. Like the greyhounds on the race track, we are always striving and strifing to attain or in their case, catch the mechanical rabbit, which is always just out of the reach of the lead hound. And even like the hounds, if for some reason we do manage to grasp our prey, like them, we will realize that it is not a real rabbit, but a delusion.

'And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.'
Ephesians 4:24

What in the world are we here for? Like many, it was a question that till recently, I could never answer with certainty or full confidence. And I was always looking for and at the wrong icons. But now I can, for till God's love fell into my heart through the Holy Spirit, I could not.

'Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.'

Philippians 3:21

It is time to look within, and not without. For in believing, the Spirit of God resides in our hearts. In following faithfully, we allow God to transform us into His likeness. Iconic or not, would it not be our calling that the world see Christ in us?

'If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.'
Galatians 5:25

God Blesses

Eng Hieang
(18July09)