Wagonist.
More often pronounced without the 't', the term is 'Jamaican speak' and is used to refer to individuals who make a practice of hopping on to bandwagons (popular trends) without so much a passing thought as to the possible consequences of such a decision.
I learned early on that wagonist is not written into my genetic code.... and no amount of bullying and teasing during my primary school years would make it so.
Upon stepping into adulthood, labels multiplied... resident skeptic, rebel, radical... but none of them ever really captured who I was.
Pausing to assess pros and cons does not automatically make one a skeptic.
Daring to question does not make one a rebel.
And a stand for truth should not be interpreted as a trailblazing attempt to be radical.
* * * * *
Believe me, there is a very good reason for that preface.
assume: v. suppose to be the case, without proof. (Oxford Dictionaries Online)
There is a 'clever' saying that involves the word assume - and the definition above, in particular - that I find slightly annoying. More to the point, I find it annoying when it pops up among Christ-followers.....
'When you assume, you make an ass out of u (you) and me.'
Obviously, someone, somewhere - back in the day - had way too much time on their hands, and I am going to go out on a limb and assume that the ass under consideration is not of the equine variety, but is used in reference the perceived asinine [stupid, foolish]qualities of one who assumes, as well as the one who is making the statement.
Already I have had to make an assumption, but - since it works in favour of the unknown author - I assume there will be no repercussions.
Assumption is inherently subjective since it depends on one's thinking, and one's thinking is the result of numerous variables. Subjectivity is not the equivalent of stupidity or foolishness.
An assumption may be proven to be correct or incorrect, but its 'incorrect-ness' does not give automatic fool status to any individual any more than its correctness would bestow automatic genius status.
As Christ-followers, we have an obligation to guard against generalisations of this nature, and it is important to recognise that popular clichés and trends are hardly ever invented with the Biblical worldview as a frame of reference.
As God's precious children - bought back at great cost to Himself - we are called to love our fellow-men. To be respectful and courteous... and statements such as the one that prompted this post boast no virtue at all.
I am not here asking 'What would Jesus do?' ... a question that inclines toward speculation and subjectivity. I am challenging the Christ-followers among us to take an objective look at the popular sayings and practices that we hold dear.....
Hold them up to the brilliant light of God's word.....
Ask yourself whether they stand up to scrutiny beyond any shadow of doubt.....
Then make a choice.
To follow or not to follow? That is the question.
