As humans, but furthermore, as Americans, we desire convenience at our fingertips. We want everything to be easy and stress-free. We have multiple different kinds of deodorants, cereals, shampoos/conditioners and the list goes on. We have drive-thrus in case we want to grab a quick bite to eat. And get this, nowadays if you are running low on cigarettes, don’t you worry; you can drive-thru for those as well.
The more time goes on, the more convenient life gets. More accurately stated, the more time goes on, the lazier we get as human beings. What do you think? Now, how exactly does this developing way of life affect us as Christians? How does the disease of convenience begin to infect our walk with God? Is there a vast contrast between the way people back in the bible days walked with God and how we do now 2,000 years later?
If I may, I want to share some thoughts on this topic. I, with my whole heart, believe that this convenient way of life greatly affects our walk of faith. I believe that society today wants everything to be immediate, self-gratification at the snap of a finger. If we have a need, we fill it right then and there, period. So, how are we as Christians plagued by this weakness? We find other things in the world to fill a hole that only God can fill- idolatry. Furthermore, there is an impatience planted deep within us that says to God, “I want this…” or “I need this…” and “…if I don’t get it by the end of this prayer, or by the end of the day, You aren’t as big as You say You are.”
I have found this to be true in my life. I feed off the immediate happenings of life. If I’m having a good day or if I made a lot of money at work (serving tables), then God and I are on a good page. That’s not when my faith is tested though. My walk of faith is tested when I go into work and walk out with $12 dollars. My walk of faith is tested when I hear of some outrageously negative thing done to someone I love. My walk of faith is tested when injustice is served to me on a shiny platter and I’m expected to partake of it willingly, but I assure you… I WILL NOT! These are the times when I find out where God and I stand together. These are the times when I discover if I’m holding God’s hand or if I’m hand in hand with the world.
Back to square one. Paul tells us in the New Testament to continually work out our salvation. Walking with God is a process, it takes time, it takes energy, it takes muscle…we must flex to stand and to stay face to face with God. Therefore, these convenient days we live in often cause us to grow weary of walking with God simply because, like any other relationship though slightly different because we cannot literally see God, it takes time and energy. Simple as that.
Have you ever spent one full day, or better yet, one full week with NO TV, NO radio, and no form of media (books, magazines, etc) whatsoever? If so, I believe it’s comparable to how the people lived back in bible times. I often wonder why people back then were able to hear God more clearly than people seem to hear God nowadays, or at least clearer than I hear God the majority of the time. Is it because there were less distractions and not as many things fighting to steal their time and attention? You can answer that for yourself.
Now knowing that convenience is the disease of this age…what do we do? We keep first things first and always make sure that we keep our first love our first love- Jesus. No, it’s not so easy at times to walk with God hand in hand, but it’s so worth it. It’s all about perspective. We must not be so focused on the struggles and pain that we feel here and now that we forget what we are fighting for- a genuine relationship based out of love for the One who created us.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).”
I don’t know what else to say, but I know that all the pain, struggles, confusion, time, energy, patience, questions, etc… everything that arises in our everyday walk with God is worth it so that we can stand face to face with the One, the ONLY one, that completes us.
6 comments:
This is good lol i like the 4th paragraph! also
this line-
“No, it’s not so easy at times to walk with God hand in hand, but it’s so worth it”
Love this line, its so true because like we can easily chose to take the easy way out and just let go, but in saying that we end up no where! Where as if we chose to stick out the tough-what ever that may be- with him, we find ourselves coming out stronger than we did before.
GOOD STUFF MY AMERICAN!! I LOVE YOU!
I absolutely agree, and absolutely despise the business; the get-it-now; the "more is better". Adam and Eve didnt have "more"..they had simplicity, and it was called perfection. Of course b/c we can jump online and get an answer to a question in under 30 seconds, we will want God to do the same. Its the way we've molded ourselves. I think you nailed it with the word "weakness"...thats exactly what it is. We are becoming a people that dont want to fight...that CANT fight. We cant bear pain or hard work. Looking back at Adam and Eve days again...we cant bear childbirth like we used to even 100 years ago! Most of the world doesnt know what it is to work with our hands..to provide for ourselves food from the ground. The list goes on, and becomes so rediculous, the thought of it hurts.
As I'm reading what you wrote, the thought comes to mind that when the word says "and do not be conformed to the world..." that in that, we are to be renewing our minds as it says, so...what does that look like? Perhaps what we've not thought of, is like you were saying about stillness; about tv and radio...maybe THAT is a way we are to look different than the world. What better way to "renew your mind"...to hear his "perfect will".
Its easy to think it impossible to be that different...to live in a society that is never satisfied, yet be able to live satisfied. For some it may take a different culture..a change in pace and place. Clearly we arent all called to trapes through the woods, without anything our whole lives, but I think we are all called to be able to be still; to find some kind of simplicity. In that, we will be able to keep "first things first".
very well said girl! keep on preaching on!
Hey!
Keep thinking & challenging & living differently Jessie!
I shared some of what u said Sunday nite @ HopeGen. We sure need to trust our Father so much more radically (radix = back to the root), as it's so easy to live without him. Remember - 'Without me you can do nothing.'
IanG
“A bad day lived from the energy of your holy discontent is far better than the best day lived anywhere else.” Bill Hybels
Good word sista!! I love your passion and boldness first and foremost for the Lord! Keep it up and keep kicking our butts!! It can be easy to get lulled into that trap of convenience....at least it can be for me. Love ya, you world changer!!
I really liked the part where you talk about how people were able to hear God back then a lot better now. It IS because there are more distractions, and because the world has accepted the way it is. I always liked that Bible quote how if you become a friend of the world, you are an enemy of God. It's so true.
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