I didn’t have time for a title…
Right… well, that sort of is the title, and it expresses the way many, if not most of us live today. In a hurry, gotta go, rush out the door, already late, not enough, too much! That about says it. Most of our houses see pizza boxes on the counter at least one night each week, because no one had time to cook, and many of our families (that can afford it) eat out most nights, if not all nights of the week. That’s crazy! I can still remember when going out to eat, even at McD’s, was a treat!
What’s the problem? Why are so many of us worn out, stretched too thin, and far less happy than we’d like to be? Why do most of us struggle so much financially? Why is it often so hard to overcome besetting sins, or sins of omission? Well, it’s not that difficult to figure out. Most of us already know the answer, but nevertheless allow ourselves to get sucked into the rat-race of the “American way.”
Let’s point out seven of the problems “we” face (in Western society) today. First, we want way too much. Second, we have way too much. Third, we want the wrong things. Fourth, things have gotten very expensive. Fifth, we’ve been considerably desensitized toward evil. Sixth, we’ve accepted the lie that life should be all, or mostly, work. Seventh, our priorities are way out of whack.
Alright, let’s briefly address those seven woes. First, we’ve got to wake up and learn that having considerably more than we need is bad for us. It makes us feel fat, even if we’re not. It clouds our (spiritual) vision and tempts us to think that happiness is to be found in the accumulation of stuff. Don’t forget what Jesus said about that (Lk 12:15). Most of us need to give a lot of our stuff away, or sell it, and rather than using the money for more stuff, give it to the church, or to some good cause. That covers the second problem, too.
Third, we need to remember what things are truly valuable. Often times people place undue value on expensive things like nice homes, cars, trips and toys, and so create a pile of bills that forces them to work long hours at a job they don’t like. Then, as they sit in the drive-thru at McD’s on the way from work to the soccer field, they realize that things like family time, walking in the grass of one’s own yard, visiting with friends, and so on–things that have real value–have been edged out. Then, in frustration, to ease the pain, many people get more and better stuff, and thus, increase the bills and work-requirement, and deepen the problem. Friends, do your best to get a good education, and get a good job, then live within your means, and do not covet a luxury lifestyle. It comes at a heavy price (pun intended). The second line of your budget (immediately after income) should always be giving.
Fourth, it wouldn’t be fair not to say that life in the west (America & Europe) has become extremely expensive. Much of this is due to the fact that most households have two wage earners these days. Those with a bread-winner husband, and homemaking wife (the Biblical ideal, by the way -Titus 2:4-5) are the exception. It is simply a fact that most families will live better, healthier and happier lives in households ordered after the Biblical ideal, but it takes foresight on the part of everyone to make it possible. We need to raise sons to do well in school and prepare to be able to earn a good living so that they can support their families on their incomes alone if need be, and young women to think about these things before they wrap their futures up with a young man who has neither the foresight, not work-ethic to take care of her and their children. On the other hand, there is nothing morally wrong with a woman working outside the home (especially after the children are in school, if not home-schooled), and it is sometimes essential. In those cases, careful planning will enable the family to enjoy the peace, liesure, and liberty to sincerely engage in spiritual pursuits that is so essential to happiness. Life was never meant to be all, or even mostly work, that isn’t good for anyone. Keep that in mind and that covers number six, as well.
Numbers five and seven are related. It is because, for so many of us, our priorities are so out of whack leading us to have an inordinate desire for lewd, crude and violent entertainment, that we have become deeply desensitized towards evil. For many Christians it is all too easy to laugh at things that should not even be spoken or done, much less be laughed at. Also, who said that a child ought to be playing on a sports team all the time? Can’t he take a season off to maintain some healthy balance in his life. And I’ll step on toes to mention the fact that watching sports on television at each and every opportunity inevitably robs one of time that could be spent in fellowship with God and man. If you would ever consider going to a game, watching television or a movie (or anything else short of an emergency) rather than assembling with the church or supporting a church function, your priorities are way out of whack. And if you find violence, lewdness, filthy language, etc., entertaining, you have been desensitized to evil and your holiness has been greatly compromized.
Like I said, most of us already know this, but either we try to live in denial about it, or put off dealing with it until later. I hope this post will help someone to wake up, check out of the rat race, and plug in to God’s ideal for human life. Remember, Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
Post your thoughts.
—JLP
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