Top of the Nest

What Color is that Dress?

A recent cellphone snapshot of a dress went viral in the last week of February, going crazy on social media, and even being picked up by huge global news outlets like the BBC and The New York Times.

The controversy that drew in celebrities and senators, “melting the internet” was simple at first—was “the dress” blue and black, or white and gold? A simple question, but one that quickly divided the globe. (White and gold won in the polls, but the dress in question is blue and black.) Even scientists couldn’t agree on the phenomenon of vision that caused such stark visual differences. The consensus now, though is that how we perceive the color of the dress is much more related to how our minds process the “meaning” of the surrounding light—the calculations that our brains make to judge the effect that light has on color can create an optical illusion, in this case, fooling the tens of millions of people who saw the blue and black dress as white and gold.

Our viewpoints are shaped by our surroundings as well. There are opposing thoughts in our society as well. Some see things one way (black and blue) while others see things differently (white and gold). In the marketplace of ideas some issues not important when it comes to matters of life and death like the color of a dress; however there are issues that hold eternal consequences and as such it is important that you view the issue from the perspective of what is true and right.

Calling a black and blue dress white and gold does not matter unless you actually know what color the dress is and then go around telling everyone the opposite is true. Efforts to deceive others is as old as time itself, for since the foundations of the world were laid the battle for the hearts and minds of civilization has waged, with the forces of right competing with the forces of wrong. Those who see through the lens of a Christian world view are competing with those who view the world through a secular lens, and as such these two camps will often oppose each other. As Christians we are advised to walk in truth, and to speak truth in love. We are to find out what color the dress really is and then tell others the truth. We should not enter the arena of speculation nor postulate unproven theories, but rather stick to what is true and right.

So what color is the dress? Who cares? What is true and right? Now that is what really matters. Are you following those who are hell-bent on deceiving you and leading you down the path of lies and deception, or are you ever vigilant in your search for truth?

Jesus said that He was the right way, the truth and nothing but truth, and he was the light, the true light that shows exactly what color your heart is. Many saw the dress as white and gold but were later proven wrong when the dress was revealed as being actually blue and black. Just because the crowd happens to see things one way does not mean it is the right way.

From the Cuckoo’s Nest

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Live Long And Prosper

The “Trekkies” among us are mourning the death of actor Leonard Nimoy, whose cool and logical “Spock” is an iconic television hero. The alien character was known for his loyalty, self-sacrifice (when it computed, at least), and quiet curiosity, providing a counterpoint for the rash, slightly narcissistic Captain Kirk. The character’s popularity among fans is colossal—even today. “Spock” is a more recognizable name to many than “Leonard Nimoy.”

Nimoy’s craft of method acting meant that in many ways, he lived as Spock. The New York Times quotes Nimoy, saying “To this day, I sense Vulcan speech patterns, Vulcan social attitudes and even Vulcan patterns of logic and emotional suppression in my behavior,” Mr. Nimoy wrote years after the original series ended. But that wasn’t such a bad thing, he discovered. “Given the choice,” he wrote, “if I had to be someone else, I would be Spock.”

Nimoy became Spock through a long process that left a mark. Pretending to be someone else made a lasting impression upon Leonard Nimoy. As Christians we are told to be made into the likeness of Christ. We are to be patterning his life on earth. Our thoughts and actions should show the character of Christ. And as we imitate Jesus, acting as he would act, saying what he would say, are we able to see the same marks of change?

Rather than method acting, perhaps Nimoy and Spock can be for us an image of being made into the likeness of our savior. And you know? That’s the true way to “live long and prosper.”

Until next time, may God bless you and yours.

This has been a View from the Nest.