I'm reading a new book. It's Sex God by Rob Bell. And when I say read, I mean I'm listening to it. It's my first audiobook. I know, I'm so hardcore. So far (Disc 2 of 3), it's better than I'd expected, which isn't saying much because I was fairly terrified it would be awkward and terrible. It does* offer a broadened view of some of life's important elements. For starts, Bell vastly widens the idea of sex and sexuality to include all heart connections - so the loving interaction among family, between friends, with God, etc. I thought it was all very flash and attention-grabbing, and I'm still not entirely with him on that front, but I guess I struggle to think of another English word that could take its place and adopt this new meaning.**
The other idea Mr. Bell broadens is built on this expanded view of sexuality. It's lust. Traditionally a reference for just the naughty and captivating purely physical magnetism between human beings, Bell instead introduces lust as the I-want-this-in-my-life idea, the fixation on some object, tangible or otherwise, that we reckon would inject Botox into our lives, magically crafting the spittin' image of perfection once we've got it in our system. So now I can lust after cars (and I do), money (that too), and other people (even without a physical attraction component...and yes, I do this too). In fact, virtually anything in creation can be a lust object. And lust's inevitable direction is toward being stuck in obsession. Ironically, the thing we desire to possess and conquer acts these upon us. The idea that life would be better with this lust object is consuming. Whether its one more cigarette, beer, one night stand, friend, pound of lost weight, bite of food...it can very well be the inexorable pull of lust. And going back to Botox, quite apart from it being only a temporary fix, what's it that the stuff does again? Ah yes, it's a neurotoxin and causes paralysis. Mmmhmm. Want that in your life some more?
Sure, there are right ways to enjoy some desires, but the right way doesn't grant the desired an abusive and corrosive power over the desirer. Love is the counterpoint to lust. Love is the right way to live desire; it lifts the spirit and drives out fear.
For me, the importance of this new and improved conceptualization of lust is the new introspective lens it provides. Many of my desires are lustful, and this simple understanding grants a clearer, more accurate vision of my heart. It reveals the destructive desires for what they are. I'm fighting less in the dark now than half an hour ago. The fight: abandon the lusts and embrace Love.***
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* Here, I noticed a new 2010 Prius across the street. It was ugly. I don't like it. I hate hybrids. I especially hate the Prius.
** Now, someone's going the wrong way on one-way Spring Street. Glad I'm not them. "Oops, sorry...sorry..."
*** It's finally quit raining, and the world is dripping and grey and covered in puddles. And..wait there's that Prius again. Gross. I think it triggers my gag reflex.
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