Question: What is wrong with that statement?
Lately I have had conversations with a unusually large group of friends who just can't seem to get past the feeling or thought that though they are moving along in life and career but something is still "missing". It's not that they lack the 'stuff' they/we once dreamed they/we would possess, it is more that they lack the 'life' they/we once dreamed they/we would live. As a matter of fact there is plenty of 'stuff' and very little joy, contentment and happiness going on in the lives of men and women who profess to follow Christ and be 'different' because of their 'called' status - but would a jury really convict them, or us, of being truly different in the way we live? What is the status of the church? Not the building, but the body? Are we really different as we have been "called"? If not, why?
As I look around I see us living in bigger and bigger homes while driving newer and more expensive automobiles while sending our children to increasingly expensive private schools and for what reason are we doing these type of things? Why are you living and committing your resources this way? Unfortunately, a few of my friends had never been asked that question.
I have an idea the answer is pretty disappointing for many of us. Could it be we are not really that different than those who don't claim to be followers of Christ?
Are we stressed financially and emotionally to the max because we have bought into this worlds philosophies and not the philosophies as prescribed for us in scripture? I think, frankly, we (the church) live culturally and consider/make educational, financial, family and most of our decisions through a framework set up by a godless adverting model - not the one that is given us by the One who knows the futility of man's search for meaning. Let's ask Solomon what he thinks! Perhaps the Law and prophets could speak to us? What about Jesus on the Mount of Olives?
Are we spending our lives to achieve a life that we think will bring joy and contentment by having more things? Is it possible that helping someone in need with the money we spend on ourselves would bring us more happiness and contentment than a a new HD flat panel TV?
I'm challenged to reassess why I do what I do and how I live today. Is there a better way? I think so...Are you challenged?
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