I’ve been walking on this planet long enough now to have been young, raise a family to adulthood, and now be a spectator in watching what kind of a world my grandchildren are going to grow up in.
To use one of their favorite expressions, “it’s terrifying”.
In context, let me declare a few things: I believe Jesus is all-powerful and
God is in control of the kingdom calendar; nothing surprises either of them, or
happens that is out of their jurisdiction. I also believe there’s nothing new
under the sun, aka, this isn’t the worst display of sin and evil a generation
has experienced.
That said, I have concerns. The preoccupation, no - obsession with self - is staggering. Social media and selfies prove my point. I
mean, did we even eat out with a friend or attend a party or “have devotions”
if there isn’t a pic to prove it?
When I see one self-recorded video after another
demonstrating how to apply makeup, style a room, prepare a meal or entertain a
toddler, etc, I sometimes silently wonder, “Isn't this a little much? Who does she think wants to hear from her so
often about so many things?”
A more comprehensive definition of selfie is born:
Self-obsessed, self-loving, self-interested, self-absorbed, self-seeking,
self-serving, self-sufficient, self-important, self-admiring, self-indulgent, self-concerned,
self-conscious, self-hatred, and plain old, used to be the only one on the
scene - selfish.
That’s a lot of selfies.
A practice consistent for spiritual focus during Lent is self-examination. (Another selfie!) Believers in Jesus should stop and take inventory; ask some questions.
The goal of Christ-followers is just that, to follow Jesus. "Come,
follow Me" was and is still the invitation extended from the Master, Teacher, Jesus Himself.
Author John Mark Comer breaks the intended expectation down
to three simple phrases:
·
Be
with Jesus
·
Become
like Him
·
Do
as He did*
How are we doing?
· How much time do we spend with Jesus? Every day, a couple times a week, once a week, once a month? Are we alone with Him, enjoying Him or is it just at church?
· Are
we taking on the characteristics of Jesus, becoming/looking more like Him in
increasing measure? Showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
gentleness, faithfulness, self-control – to name a few. Hint – one must know
what Jesus is like – study what’s written about Him in the Bible – in order to be
successful here.
· Are
we doing the things Jesus did? Do we love, serve, pray, teach, forgive? JMC
suggests the true litmus test for growing spiritually is love – can others tell
we are becoming more loving?
Oftentimes the way of Jesus is the opposite of the way of
current culture. Paul corroborates this truth in Romans 12:2 when he teaches,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of
God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”**
There is so much goodness in that verse. It was a cornerstone
parenting principle for my husband and I while raising our children, loving the
way as Eugene Peterson translates it:
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit
into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be
changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and
quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down
to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops
well-formed maturity in you.”***
Yes, countercultural! One of my favorite words. That’s what I’m
talking about, and isn’t that what we want? God wants to bring out the best in
us – and our families – which could seep into the culture we inhabit.
An honest Lenten inventory and adjustment (if necessary)
will help us achieve this. I even found some healthier selfies for us to replace
the others with as well.
Self-denial, self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline,
self-sacrifice, self-deprivation, self-forgetfulness, selflessness.
That sounds more like the way of living Jesus taught, doesn’t
it? He left us an example worthy of following:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look
not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this
in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in
the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of
men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross.”****
*Practicing the Way by John Mark
Comer
**Romans 12:2 ESV
***Romans 12:2 The Message
****Philippians 2:3-8 ESV
