I’ve been struggling with a lot of things internally for quite some time… and I thought I might just just write it out here for the world to see, because I think I’m not the only one who wrestles with the reality of the Gospel.
The Gospel, the good news, can sometimes be anything but good news. We’re taught (including within church walls) that we can create a life of order, be pleasing to God, and make a reasonable buck while doing it. The tension I’m developing is that I think these are all false hopes, false doctrines, and false idols. Those who find themselves in the ”first world”/developed nations live in such an unrealistic world when compared to those in countries such as Sudan… that, in a way, we are almost all
the rich young man (Mark 10.)
Deep in our hearts I believe we all know we are the rich young man, but there exists in us an insurmountable hump, a massive mound composed of our surroundings. Marx once compared Christianity to a sedative, I’d like to posit that he misdiagnosed the problem and that religion was being held back because the entire world is sedated our preoccupation with ourselves and our stuff.
While a little late for a lenten exercise, I feel compelled to challenge anyone who is reading this to look inside and “name names” when it comes to what is your sedative when it comes to keeping your from following Jesus on the radical path of love. I’ll also try to post some of my own “sedatives” in the effort to detox myself and pay attention to what is really the mission we are called to.
Here’s some ideas as to what’s deadening your heart: TV, computers, video games, living in the suburbs, driving everywhere, pride in your job, pride in your family upbringing, pride in your country/government (yes, I said it – and if you want to debate me on it, go ahead) – the list can go on, and everyone possesses a unique combination.