Brackets

No, this isn't a post about math and algebra and why it is vital to know basic algebra. Granted, unless you go into a field like construction or engineering, you probably won't be using trigonometry and having to figure out the sine and cosine of different triangles. But algebra is still vitally important. (But enough with the math now, and on to the real post. =P ) 


As  you go through life, you go through many different stages where you are positioned socially. I think that most people would agree that high school, college, and married life are all vastly different stages of life, with different opportunities, responsibilities, and duties. In each stage of life there are a variety of things to look forward to, and other things which are less looked forward to. But because of the wonderful God who has created us, every stage of life is completely and wonderfully blessed by His hand.

Now you might be wondering what the title has to do with this post so far, since, aside from the title I have yet to mention the word "brackets" a single time. Brackets are a devise used mainly in writing, or mathematics which separates whatever is inside the brackets from the outside material. In English writing, the normal form of brackets used are the round brackets, also known as "parentheses". When parentheses are used, they generally add a side thought or additional comment which is not essential to the sentence or paragraph (like this comment right here). Sometimes square brackets are used in English, but it is fairly uncommon. In mathematics, when brackets are used, they designate that whatever is contained in it should be completed first, before completing the rest of the equation. Such as: 2 x (2 + 1) + 4 = 10
With the set of brackets the answer is 10, if the equation were lacking the brackets, then the answer would be 9. If we add another set of brackets it changes the answer of the equation again: 2 x [(2 + 1) + 4] = 14
When solving equations with brackets within brackets you solve the innermost set of brackets first, and then move out to the larger set of brackets. Typically the round brackets "( )" are the innermost set, and then the square brackets "[ ]" are the second set.
Basically, the point is: Brackets connect the items contained in them and separate them from outside content.

I'd like to examine some of the different brackets which are generally present in American culture.


The "Baby - Jr. High" Bracket

I realize that there ore other brackets contained in this bracket, but for the most part the individuals in this bracket are always looking forward to growth. Always wanting to grow taller and stronger. As they grow they are respected more by others in their bracket. They are considered more and more to be "big kids," able to do more and more with out mommy's or daddy's help. Able to take care of themselves. As they approach the end of their bracket they are highly respected by the others in their bracket. 

The High School Bracket

The high school bracket is considered to be a very strong bracket. Most of those in this bracket communicate and socialize mainly only with others inside of their bracket. This is partially due to the fact that they spend a great deal of time with the others in their bracket. They are around each other in classes  and after-school events such as athletic events or Bible quizzing. Those in this bracket are commonly considered to be immature, particularly by older individuals. They get this reputation for a variety of reasons, namely because often they do a lot of "stupid" things for which are frowned upon. Those in the high school bracket are developing a great deal, both physically and mentally. Part of that new development involves: a member's becoming very aware and concerned with others' opinions about him, as well as a new interest in the opposite gender. Members of this bracket are also considered to be very emotionally unstable. They become so engrossed with their bracket, that they fail to see the big picture. When anything happens which might ruin their social standing in their bracket, they become emotionally down-trodden, and require support from another member in their bracket (the more mature members will accept support from other members in their bracket, as well as others such as parents or siblings). Those just entering this bracket are generally looked down upon by members in their bracket for their lack of understanding of the social "norms" and inexperience with the way things work in their bracket. Once the new members adjust to the expectations of the bracket they begin building their social status and network of friends. As time passes they rise higher and higher in their bracket and are looked up to more and more by other members in their bracket. Every year they obtain a new step and social status: Sophomore, Junior, Senior. Each step brings with it more responsibly and a higher standing with other members in the bracket. By the time a member reaches "Senior" status, younger members in his bracket most often consider him to be royalty. After graduation from being a senior in the high school bracket the member frequently moves into the college bracket.

The College Bracket

The college bracket actually contains a great many ties with the high school bracket. Both are quite strong brackets, however those in the college bracket tend to reach out more to the "real world" bracket than the members of the high school bracket. For the most part the members of the college bracket are more mature than those in high school bracket (though not always). There is a stronger emphasis on academics in the college bracket than in the high school bracket. The most significant different between the college bracket and the high school bracket is that in the college bracket you are not living with your parents, but instead you are living in the dorms, with and amongst other members in your bracket, which often leads to some very strong ties. Not all members of the college bracket live in the dorms though. There are some who still live at home while attending school and are members of the college bracket. Those members however are unable to fully experience the breadth of the college bracket. New members of the college bracket are fairly easily discernible from the experienced members. The experienced members  have established a routine and are familiar with the basic "rules" of what is considered acceptable  by other members, and what is considered unacceptable. Members in the college bracket often develop strong ties with other members because  they can relate to each other so well.

As with the high school bracket, ranks are assigned based on how long a member has been in the bracket. The ranks start with Freshman, then advance to Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. (Graduate Student is a rank which is reached by about half of those in the college bracket. It is only received if the member decides that he wants to remain in the college bracket for some time, even after completing the requirements for the college bracket.) As a member advances through the ranks he receives more responsibilities, and as with the high school bracket, he is looked up to more and more by others in his bracket. There is a great deal of mental development in the college bracket. Both from the mentally stimulating classes, but also from conversations in the dorms and time spent encouraging and discipling one another. When the member of the college bracket completes his requirements and  chooses to leave the college bracket he enters the "real world" bracket.

The "Real World" Bracket

The "real world" bracket has been named as such by many people, but it is actually a very poor name for the bracket. The name "real world," assumes that all brackets prior to it were in fact, not the real world. This however, is a false statement. The "real world" being defined as: an individual being required to live outside of the home, supply for his own needs through a consistent job, being able to organize and manage his own schedule, and being able to maturely handle unexpected crisis's, based primarily on his own judgment. That description can be, and often is, fully filled by members in the college bracket, therefore concluding that many members of the college bracket have also experience the "real world." Concluding that the "real world" bracket is a poor name for this bracket, but it is the established name so it will be the name used for the bracket throughout this post. 

 

There are many differences in the "real world" bracket from the college or high school brackets. First, the members of the "real world" bracket are not primarily focused on education anymore. Instead, they are focused on finding a job and working at that job faithfully to be able to earn money so that they can purchase needed and/or unneeded (but enjoyable) supplies. If the member is married then another focus would be building and keeping a good relationship with the member's spouse and family. The member will be trying establish himself with a home and a local church to attend. Depending on the member's direction taken throughout the college bracket he will either stay in the area of his college, go back to where his parents are and work there, or travel somewhere else where he feels strong desire to start his career. For someone just entering the "real world" bracket it can be especially difficult to find a good job which fits the member's needs, but once he finds one, he will be able to rejoice and thank God for His provision. As will all the brackets, the longer you are in it, the higher status you obtain. There are many sub-brackets which are represented under the title of the "real world" bracket, such as: the young couple bracket, the  mom-and-dad-and-three-kids bracket, the parents-of-teenagers bracket, the grandparents bracket, and so on.

Brackets will never end. We will always have things which draw us closer to some people than others. Even though it seems that most members of a bracket desire to move on to the next bracket, thinking that it will be better, but none of the brackets which I have mentioned ever solve all your problems. There is only one bracket that will solve all your problems, and that is the heaven bracket. I am certainly looking forward to someday advancing to that bracket.


Looking at these brackets we can see some things which remain the same. First, when entering into a bracket the member must first prove himself before he is respected by the others in the bracket. Second, the work never finishes; though a member may be at the peak of one bracket, soon he will have to move to the next bracket and start from the beginning again. And third, The flow of brackets never ends. A member of any bracket is always growing in one bracket, and heading for the next bracket for as long as he lives.

Those similarities between the brackets can also be applied to our spiritual walks. First, whenever we are around new people or in a new setting we must be living out a consistent Christian life before we can make a good Christian testimony for ourselves. This is especially important when around unbelievers because if they see that we are actually living out what we say we believe, they will be much more willing to hear what we have to say about the gospel. Second, the work never finishes. It's true, the work is never done. That's true in the sense that there will always be trials and struggles which will come up. We will never escape the fall. We will never be able to avoid our own sin nature or the state of the world around us, but we can continue to trust in Christ, and handle every problem that comes our way through his strength. And third, there is always more room to grow. There is always something else that we can strive for. We may be growing closer to God day by day, but even after 30 years of consistent growth, there will still be room to grow, another "bracket" to get to. It's a wonderful thought. Our God is so great, so mighty, so vast, that we could not possibly ever come to understand Him and His ways completely, because God is so far beyond anything that we could possibly comprehend. We serve an God who is worthy of awe and worthy to be praised.


Praising my creator,

Tim