How fast has the tide shifted, from embracing all the festivities associated with Christmas cheer to embarking down the novel road of student teaching. From being afforded opportunities at immersing oneself in football and food galore to being confronted with the stark reality of responsibility.
I must admit there was a little let down as the Christmas and New Year's parties came to a screeching halt. As the chaos subsided and reality was given ample time to shine through I was allowed to reflect on our culture's inanity and its haphazard effects on Christian living. Though in themselves these following themselves might not be bad, however, our idolizing of these things is disturbing to say the least. I mean not to come off as brash or pretentious but just to point out a few ruminations of mine this past few weeks.
College and NFL Football:
Oh the precarious happiness of avid sports fans, enamored with college football bowl games and NFL playoffs, whose joy is contigent upon the productivity of a particular team. One week they are fillled with abundant joy and the next utter despair.
Litany of Gifts:
How the Lord must be grieved that in the guise of celebrating Christ's birth we embrace the rudimentary pleasures of this world. Christmas has become an excuse, a facade for secular hedonism. This holiday fervor is all wrapped up in the accumulation of human products rather than the divine excellencies of Christ.
How shallow is life without Christ. But even more, how pitiful! As I ponder how this last month could have been better received I am most struck at how silly this world really is, completely ludicrous, insane. The things our culture perceives as glorious are merely the faintest echoes of true splendor.
How is one to cope in a world filled with such vain hopes and empty ambitions?
1. Guard yourself against this world, being cognizant of its' suppressive antics knowing that the prince of this world is our kings greatest enemy and the momentary affliction brought by not indulging in these fleeting pleasures is building for ourselves a greater reward.
So that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:7)
2. Constantly reminding ourselves that our citizenship is beyond this world, more glorious and real than anything this world has to offer, as the realities of Christ and his work of redeeming all of the world will one day be fully realized.
Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:2-4)
3. Embracing Christ as the essence of true beauty, which in part means a perfectly holy God who hates sin.
"Your throne O God is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
4. Live with more urgency, wait in anticipation for Christ's return, and endeavor to make our days more mean more. Maybe worrying about one day at time because it presents enough challenges of its' own and clinging to Christ to get us through it.
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1 comment:
Excellent post, Mr. Gosney. Your words are deep and true.
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