The Antethesis
One of the things Christianity (real, biblical Christianity, not fake, look at me I go to church and vote republican "christianity") teaches is the abandonment of self and, in replacement, service to others. This is something our culture forgets. It seems to me that most of us either make one of two common choices: Give money and live our lives as usual or put the responsibility to do something on someone else. (i.e. government, programs, charities, etc.) Why is this? The Bible is clear that our mission on this speed bump before eternity is to serve others. Are we even reading our Bibles?
I know I'm not...
When I do, like tonight, for instance, I read things I don't want to know about. Ignorance is bliss. But I truly desire to know God, to serve His purpose and live my life according to what He says is best for me. In order to do this I must pursue Him through prayer and reading the amazing, loving text He left for me.
So in the passages I read tonight He makes clear, through Paul, that where I am now is exactly where He wants me to be. Not as punishment or because I am a lowly woman who deserves nothing more than to be a housewife. But because He has this plan for me. One that is better than anything I could ever plan for myself.
This, in itself, is the rub. I must let everything I wish for myself go and trust in this plan completely. The Antithesis of what everything in popular culture tells me:
"Whatever energy you send out is what you will bring back to yourself...you are the master of your destiny!"
"You can have it all! Work full time, be a good mom and a good wife...you can do it! Ignore that guilt that is in you and be happy with parenting on the evenings and weekends! Ignore the seething fatigue plaguing you...you can do it!"
"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."
All of these ideas come from one central idea that we are first. We make our own truth, we make our own future, we make our own heaven and we make our own hell. We are first. So why are so many people still miserable? Why is the suicide rate for the uppper class higher than any other?
If we are in complete control, what is holding people back in their lives? Why will The Secret only work for the short term? Because we all suck, and none of us brings anything to the table. We are dead and in need of restoration. So the person who buys into things like the secret will convince themselves for a while...but shortly they will realize that life is still missing something.
Whatever could it be?
I know I'm not...
When I do, like tonight, for instance, I read things I don't want to know about. Ignorance is bliss. But I truly desire to know God, to serve His purpose and live my life according to what He says is best for me. In order to do this I must pursue Him through prayer and reading the amazing, loving text He left for me.
So in the passages I read tonight He makes clear, through Paul, that where I am now is exactly where He wants me to be. Not as punishment or because I am a lowly woman who deserves nothing more than to be a housewife. But because He has this plan for me. One that is better than anything I could ever plan for myself.
This, in itself, is the rub. I must let everything I wish for myself go and trust in this plan completely. The Antithesis of what everything in popular culture tells me:
"Whatever energy you send out is what you will bring back to yourself...you are the master of your destiny!"
"You can have it all! Work full time, be a good mom and a good wife...you can do it! Ignore that guilt that is in you and be happy with parenting on the evenings and weekends! Ignore the seething fatigue plaguing you...you can do it!"
"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."
All of these ideas come from one central idea that we are first. We make our own truth, we make our own future, we make our own heaven and we make our own hell. We are first. So why are so many people still miserable? Why is the suicide rate for the uppper class higher than any other?
If we are in complete control, what is holding people back in their lives? Why will The Secret only work for the short term? Because we all suck, and none of us brings anything to the table. We are dead and in need of restoration. So the person who buys into things like the secret will convince themselves for a while...but shortly they will realize that life is still missing something.
Whatever could it be?
Labels: God, self, The Secret, truth
posted by Kimberly | 10:44 PM
4 Comments:
Wow, pretty deep here. :-)
Don't forget about God when you talk about the Godless.
The reason why people think they are first is because God gave them the ability to think they have the power to make themselves happy or miserable.
Whether people can really successfully manifest their own destiny is the real secret. But dwelling on possibility is a waste of time. If you (not you specifically) aren't happy, do something. What you chose to do can be as simple as reading some text to gain some perspective or changing a habit that bothers you.
I personally think people are miserable because they forget how to be happy or what makes them happy. What makes them happy can be anything. A happy thought, a positive intention, God, childrens, and stuff like that.
I know plenty of people who are miserable no matter what path they choose, or religion, or spiritual methodology. I couldn't say what they lack, but I tend to think they don't lack in the things that can make them happy, just the courage and wisdom to see them clearly.
Another point to be made is that I don't expect anything from anyone who doesn't believe in the Bible. It is those who claim to be followers of Christ that are my target. I have said before at other times that it is wrong for Christians to expect Christ-like behavior from people who don't even believe! It would be impossible for someone without faith in God's ability to work through them to give themselves over to living a life of service. I do have faith and still struggle daily with my own selfishness and (not to offend anyone with the S word) sinful nature. Mostly I am writing to myself...my righteous side speaking to my depraved side to alter its focus. It will be a battle that does not end until I die. Yowza!
That's a good point. You may want to disclose your target audience in a tag line for you blog then. That would help weed out comments from people who just want to argumentative.
Good gracious, good point! I wonder if that will draw people away or to my blog? =)
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