 |
Welcome | Ministries | Service Times | Events | News | Links | Contact Us |
 |
The Good Life or a North American Nightmare An April devotion: The Good Life or a North American NightmareWe recently completed a DVD-directed study about contemporary voices in the Christian Church (Living the Questions) -- now it's time to try the 'old way' again: reading, discussion, reflection, a bit of homework, etc. Already the grumbling has started: 'We liked the other way better.' Even in our Church-study sessions we can see the changes that have taken place in our society and in the world in the last 30 to 40 years. Then, noone would have complained about a study. People seemed to attend them gratefully. With growing materialism, individualism, economic stress and world-terrorism -- to name just a few changes, we see people being more aggressive in their driving -- road rage and in their relationships. Some spend madly -- because they may not have any money tomorrow -- but they are careful in what they give to the Church. Others have stopped giving to charities altogether -- they're not trusted anymore to do the work they claim ... So, back again to the Church: with all the bad news coming out of the Roman Catholic Church lately the 'post-modern' view that there are no absolutes -- appears quite correct. However, no Churches are now trusted by young people ie. by the new generation. Nothing is too holy or sacred to be scrutinized and possibly to be rejected -- and yet, we know there is a keen search for spirituality among many young people! Offerings to the Church are also negatively affected, and so we must make do with less, whereas there is an increasing need for Church ministries because of bigger and more numerous care homes, the demand for more funerals, crisis intervention, advocating for those who don't have a voice (institutionalized seniors, battered women, kids living on the street, etc.). The need for volunteers keeps growing as Churches feed and accommodate the homeless or sponsor refugees ... My Point: these 'difficult times' are at the same time a time of opportunity for us to try harder to do God's work. Calls for help are at the same time opportunities to serve God joyfully and -- more fully! Such Scripture verses as : 'We are to be in this world but not of this world' -- or, 'put your treasure where neither rust nor moth will get it' -- or, 'you can't serve both God and mammon' -- or, 'we are being tried as in a crucible [to test our faith]' , all of these passages touch on a problem that was developing in our Christian lives while we were living the 'good life. Now that the economy is 'tighter' and life is less secure -- many would say 'we're starting to live a nightmare'! But, when we look at life from God's perspective as presented in the Bible. we see these challenging times also call us back to the holy example Jesus set us. He had none of our securities. When the going got tough -- Jesus didn't lash out. He faced adversity with confidence in His heavenly Father! He taught his disciples to willingly take up their cross - and follow His example. He taught them the value and comfort of prayer! So, will the Church survive these difficult times? Certainly, although it will also be forced to change! Will you? That depends so much on your relationship with God -- and how much you are willing to adapt to what God has been saying all along: 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers'! Amen
|
|||||||||
