One Size Fits All....Doesn't

Today I was sitting in a Sunday school class at church, and someone said something about Jesus starting his ministry when he was 30 years old, and how basically he had prepared for 30 years to do only 3 years of work, but yet it was the most important work anyone has ever done (at least in the eyes of Christians). Well, my mind works such that I tend to wander in and out of whatever lesson/meeting/discussion I happen to be attending, but I perked up for some reason when this point was made. I began to let my thoughts chase that remark down a Carroll-esque rabbit hole. And suddenly it hit me: I am 30 years old.

Jesus probably experienced a whole lot more personal growth than I did in his first 30 years.

There he was, providing for the salvation of man, teaching them everything necessary for their spiritual growth, all while being tormented and pursued across ancient Israel, only to be rejected by his own people and ultimately crucified. And here I am, driving around in my wife's new car, taking multiple vacations, sitting behind a cushy desk at a relatively easy job where I can listen to podcasts all day while I earn a moderately comfortable living, and yet I complain about things such as how the bad economy prevented me from walking straight from law school into a 6-figure salary job at a large law firm where I could pay off my student loans in three years. Talk about ungrateful.

But I also considered that Jesus didn't just sit around for 30 years. He was growing and learning, and probably went through some of the same universal experiences as the rest of us -- illness, accidents, heartbreak, sadness, frustration, fatigue, joy, humor, relaxation, accomplishment....you get the idea. Virtually all of the life lessons that he needed in order to undertake his ministry had come to him by age 30. It made me reflect on the life lessons that I had learned by the time I hit 30. As I ruminated over this in my mind, I recalled a song on my iPod that I listen to every once in a while, from a 90s grunge band called Jimmy's Chicken Shack. It's an obscure song by an obscure artist, but I think it really captures some of the lessons that (I hope) everyone learns by the time they wrap up their 20s. I like to think of it as sort of an extension of those "100 things you learned in kindergarten" posters that were popular a few years back. The song is probably a little heavy for many of my readers, so I decided to post the lyrics rather than merely adding the song to my little music player off to the right.

"When You Die, You're Dead" by Jimmy's Chicken Shack

Following the crowd provides security
Cities alienate people
Many of the things you want are worthless
If you try....congratulate yourself
Surviving can take a lot of energy
Everything's an integral of everything else
Almost no one finds their match
Strangers don't want to know you
Nature always wins

We all want the same things
You have chosen everything that happens to you
We are part of the land
People want to look nice
And loneliness is not contagious
Violence is passed through generations
Crowds create their own power
Everyone you meet is a mirror of yourself
Things left undone become harder
Progress takes time

Experience gives you options
The range of personalities -- endless
Most weirdos want to be
People are attached to what they can't have
Defense mechanisms are inherited
Power is passed to those near it
One size fits all....doesn't
Western man is too separated from nature
And people interests should come before business interests
You can only screw yourself
Self esteem is basic to success
And it will be a long time before safe is sex
Pain inside shows
Only certain types are religious
And many artists....aren't
You can have anything you want
A court of law is designed to intimidate
Stay in touch with your inner self

Why would you waste it?
Why do we waste it?

Living increases knowledge
They say living increases knowledge
...And when you die....you're dead.
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Personally, I don't necessarily agree with some of the assertions made in the song. And sadly, there are a few assertions that I wish I couldn't agree with, but life has taught me otherwise. There are also a few gems in there that nearly bring me to laughter. The song, in my opinion, is really intended to make you think about life. The fact that each phrase registers within me some sort of emotion or opinion makes me realize that, perhaps, I really have experienced a lot in my 30 years on this planet.

(*My personal favorite line: One size fits all....doesn't)