Looking Beyond the Now: November Newsletter Article
| I have been given a message from God, and I think I need to share it with everyone. This revelation has come to me and to me alone! It is God’s word and I know that it’s something that none of you have ever…EVER realized before now. (wink-wink)Are you ready for it? You might want to sit down! OK, here it is…
We are people who require instant satisfaction! Bet you didn’t see that coming did you? I’m sure that no one has ever said that before. This is as unique a revelation as there has ever been, and I’m the one who gets to let the world know! |
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| Of course I’m kidding (please tell me you knew I was joking). But that doesn’t make it any less true. I’m sure this isn’t the first time someone has made a comment about how we come to expect microwaves to micro-wave faster, internet speeds to be speedier, and our favorite sports team to win right now. Think about it, do you know anyone that actually follows the ‘Oven Baking Instructions’ instead of the microwave instructions for a Hotpocket? |
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| Do you ever get a call from your internet service provider offering a great deal if you downgrade your service package? And how about that sports team that just hired the new coach everyone was so excited about just a few months ago? A 2-6 start to a season is unacceptable. Right?If this is who we are as a people, what kind of impact does it have on how we act and react to issues of our faith? To be honest, the Christian faith, the Church, and in particular the Presbyterian denomination is not built for a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of people.
I’ve seen a church with large banners hanging from the roofline that read: “30 Minute Worship.” Huh? Really? Can I supersize that? I guess I just don’t understand why we think we can take an infinite God and place him in a guaranteed 30-minute sized box. I truly believe that the church needs to find ways to meet people where they are and help guide them toward the Church, but there also has to be a balance. If we go out into the world offering instant spiritual gratification we are doing nothing less than setting people up for disappointment and bitterness toward Jesus Christ! The tagline for the Christian faith is to lead people to eternal life and relationship with the one true God. Has anyone ever found a quick and easy route for that journey? And what about the way we do business as a congregation? Everyone has heard the jokes about committees. If you want something done you have to make a committee to discuss making a committee blah blah blah. It’s funny because it’s true! Sure, we want someone to take it, run with it, and get it done quickly, but that isn’t the way we work because it isn’t best for the community. The world around us might be fast paced and looking for instant satisfaction in every aspect of life, but as Christians we are called to be patient. Maybe we do bake our Hotpockets in the oven and get to enjoy a crispier and flakier crust. Maybe we downgrade our ISP and save a little money so we can give a little more to Christian Community Assistance. Maybe we give our new coach a few years to install his system of winning. And how about this: we not only accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior right here and now, but we give him our entire lives and allow him to make us who he wants us to be. Blessings, Eric |
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I so needed to be reminded of this. Just the other day I was coplaining that I so wish I was done with my BS in Chemistry (I’m tired of school already!), and yet I know that I have to keep going and time will pass and I will be done ~ patience. I know that God has me headed in the right direction and along the way I have actually gotten to minister to classmates! So, Thank you for reminding me that my timing is not necessarily God’s timing.
Comment by LauraKC — November 8, 2008 @ 8:15 pm