IT'S FRIDAY FRIDAY

GOTTA GET DOWN ON FRIDAY
EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND, WEEKEND

okay hello anyone who reads this blog!

Yes, it's Friday, and (although I wasn't in school today to see all the crazy fun ><) I'm sure you all got down. Whatever that means.

The purpose of this post is just to discuss the weekend (which EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FORWARD TO), because YESTERDAY WAS THURSDAY THURSDAY and TOMORROW IS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY COMES AFTERWARD which means that TODAY IS FRIDAY FRIDAY but anyway. I'm convinced that there is something to learn in everything. To quote Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros, "There are certain things which enter the minds of even people without one." Of course, he doesn't say whether these things are right or wrong.

To illustrate this, today's (and this week's) post will examine a song. A popular, popular song.

I'm sure everyone treats the weekend as a haven from school, or at least from schoolwork. For (the vast majority of) the BB people, Saturdays are something to look forward to; in some cases, the prospect of parade and its crazy fun are all that sustain us through the week. For other people, however, weekends are meant for introspection and for scholarly pursuits, like catching up on all the work one has accumulated over the week. Whatever the case, everyone looks forward to the weekend. The question I'll ask today is this:

why?

In the example of the incomparable weekend anthem Friday, the truly estimable singer goes "PARTYING PARTYING YEAH/PARTYING PARTYING YEAH/FUN FUN FUN FUN/LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND". Why does the speaker "[look] forward" to the weekend? Simply because of the promise of "partying"; of social interaction and of merriment. Compare that to our sad, socially-dead IB lives, where the weekend exists for work (or is that just me?). In this regard, I would go so far as to admit that we should perhaps take a lesson from the incredible enthusiasm and high-spiritedness in the song -- were it not that the song is nothing if not trivial and contrived. If the bolding hasn't made it obvious, triviality and contrivance of enthusiasm are the two points I'll address in this post.

Firstly, our enthusiasm cannot be trivial, or for trivial things. It is no doubt that enthusiasm is ruled by a concupiscible desire (a yearning to gain), but whether this passion is directed towards the world or towards God is the true determinant of enthusiasm. Here is where Ionesco's wisdom comes into play. While it is certainly important to possess enthusiasm, and Ms Black has certainly demonstrated that quality remarkably, what she has is an excitement over such ephemeral things as parties. (See? Even those so completely incapable of intelligent thought may be correct about the fundamental facts of life.) However, she gets the specifics wrong. Simply put, the song shows a correct attitude in the anticipation of things to come, but focuses on the wrong things. Instead of yearning after the approval of, and stature among, men and the things of this world, we should set our sights on greater things; things the greatness of which we cannot comprehend. What use is partying for one weekend in the greater scheme of just this world? (the answer is: not very much.) If such frivolity -- fleeting in all its glitz and glamour -- is of no use even in this physical realm, and certainly far less so in Christian terms, are there not better things to yearn for?

Secondly, the song is so relentless in its pursuit that it sounds contrived and artificial. This is another area in which Friday gets things both right and wrong. Certainly, the singer's (or at least the speaker's -- it is important to differentiate the two, especially in English A1) dedication to partying must be commended, but whether it is right is another matter entirely. There is a lesson to learn here; that perseverance in pursuit of a goal is only truly, righteously correct when the object is the very opposite of trivial. This is linked quite clearly to the earlier point. When we yearn after Christ and our citizenship in His kingdom, then the effort we put into the pursuit is justified by His love. When we chase after the things of this world, well -- let's just say that everything in this world fades away, and nothing but God is worthy of our dedication.

Consider then Matthew 6:33, which reads "but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." While it might seem a bit daunting to run after Him with all our hearts -- to "pick up [our crosses] daily and follow [Him]" (Luke 9:23) -- we are given assurance that we are provided for simply because He watches over those who see His love and return it.

I'm sure you're all asking yourselves: what does this have to do with this week's theme of unity, or even with the weekend? I'm about to get to that.

Over the weekend, we're free of the social constraints which are an integral part of our identity as students. We can interact with other people not as students -- subconsciously seen as inferior, naive or immature -- but as equals. While it may be tempting to use the freedom from such pseudo-disdain to indulge in some PARTYING PARTYING, don't. At least, such thoughts should be far from the forefront of your mind. It's understandable to feel like a full member of society -- and hence somewhat more liberated -- when out of school, and of uniform, but the greater identity we should revert to on the weekend isn't one of a fully matured individual, but is one of an insignificant part of the body of Christ.

As a small cell in one of the tissues in one of the organs of one of the systems in the body of Christ, our thoughts should be focused on God, and not on this world. If we yearn after God, and those who are with us in God, as much as Rebecca Black yearns after partying, then our enthusiasm will be far contagious than hers.

Over this weekend, and indeed for the rest of your lives, I challenge you to live not for partying, not for work -- not even for yourself. My challenge to you is to live putting God at the forefront, and others close behind. When it comes to other Christians, remember that all your differences -- you might not even speak the same language -- are only things of this world, and that there is something greater that binds you like spiritual Superglue: the love that we all share in Christ. With non-Christians, have faith that the enthusiasm you show for God, and for the glory of His kingdom, will be far easier to relate to than Rebecca Black's enthusiasm for Fridays and the weekend.

Fridays (and weekends) will come and go, but God remains forever. It isn't hard to decide which we should show our utmost devotion to.

What say you?

-mong.