Money... It's A Fad

Wow, I never thought I would be quoting Pink Floyd. But truth is truth whether it comes from the mouth of a rocket scientist or a rock star.

It's interesting to consider just how much importance we can place on the words and thoughts of others, especially those esteemed as important or influential. Of course, sometimes that influence can be granted because of fame, or because of age, or even because of wealth (especially in the midst of the affluent English known as Americans). Think about how much weight is placed on the words of such individuals as Donald Trump, Dr. Phil, Rush Limbaugh, Hilary Clinton, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, President Bush, Sharon Stone, even Bono. Each of these people have clout in and of themselves because of one of the aforementioned reasons. In fact, many of those who consider themselves to be above the influence of worldly "wisdom" are generally still affected in someway. For example, how many times have you or I bought something for ourselves or gone to a certain restaurant or vacation spot because somewhere, in the back of our brains, we hear echoes of, "You deserve it", or "Have it your way", or "You gotta eat"? Seriously, think about how many times in a given day the words of someone else have had a measurable impact on one's actions. I recently did just that and let me tell you, it's scary. I was amazed because I like to think that I'm above such blatant manipulation, especially because I generally HATE it when celebrities or fast food joints think I'll care what they have to say, or even more that I'll act differently because of what they say (i.e. have my choices influenced). Well, it seems I'm just as susceptible as I thought I wasn't.

It shocks me to consider how influenced I am by the words and actions of puny people like myself, but more than that it breaks my heart to realize how much I count on that "wisdom" and all too often and easily, how much I discount the words and wisdom of the one person who offers truly valuable counsel: Jesus Christ. It's so easily accessible too! I have, at this moment, 6 Bibles and yet I, somehow, can't seem to pick one up when I have free time. But throw me into a life or death situation, and guess what I want to read? Throw me into those moments of "Oh god help me!" and I'm all about Jesus' advice and counsel. But funnily enough, when it's just a regular day, or when all is even keel. where's the Bible? Why, it's busy collecting dust (because I apparently really value dust and so I need somewhere to keep it)!

Why? Why do I waste time on totally temporal and unimportant things? Why do I seek solace from such things as music, friends, movies, my fiance', my family, my job? Yea, we're all imperfect, I get that. But isn't there supposed to be a change? Aren't we, the Called, supposed to be a glaring contrast to the rest of the world? Aren't we supposed to be different, sometimes painfully so? So why is it that alot of churches, pastors, lay-leaders, "Christians" (myself included) can't seem to stay on target? The way this is going I feel like I ought to be concluding with some well formed and excellently verbose answer. But I think the answer isn't a complicated series of steps. The reason is found in one place......the heart:

5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.

(Jeremiah 17:5-10)

Well, there it is. no point in trying to come up with other reasons or explanations for our behavior because He said it perfectly. You and I, at our core, are "desperately sick" and that core is more deceitful than ALL ELSE. Why do we kid ourselves by thinking we can take our problems head on and succeed without Christ? Maybe we think we're on god's side now and because of that we are less susceptible to failure and grave sin? I know for me it's simply because I'm ride the spiritual short bus but God still drives me to the school of life every morning. He's not done with me. This pottery still needs some molding.

So what now? Will this be another long testimonial to the level of suck that is human depravity or will it be like a lit fire that pushes me closer into God? Or will next month look alot like last month and the month before it and so on? I can't say, but I can say I'm sick of repetition. Here's to true newness of life and real passion and drive to see His kingdom come, no matter where I am tomorrow.