There's a graphic new book that's been taking America by storm recently. Proponents of it say that it is a great love story, a raw book that shows the real human emotions and struggles of 2 people in love with each other. Opponents of it, however, call it pornography, plain and simple. Today I was reading a review of this book that was obviously written by an opponent of the book. And in the comments section, someone wrote something that caught my eye. "It will take courage for me to share this link on Facebook," she said, "but I will, because people need to be warned about this book."
What? Is she serious? When did courage get reduced to copying and pasting a link onto one's Facebook wall?? When did compassion becoming forwarding a chain email about a sick child to all of your contacts? When did generosity turn into giving a few dollars to the homeless man on the street, or donating your old clothes that you don't even wear anymore to the nearest Salvation Army, so that you can make room in your closets for more stuff?
We have become a fast food culture. Speed, technology, and convenience have become so important, that we tend to forget about everything else. But this "fast food" mentality has not only affected our meal choices. It has made everything briefer, of less importance, more expendable - especially relationships. That's why people break up with each other over texts; or obsessively check their Facebook activity on their smart phone, even when they're in the middle of a group of friends; or prefer to stay in their room playing computer games or watching movies, rather than spend time with real people. That's why it's now considered courageous to paste a controversial link onto your social media sites, it's compassionate to click 'forward' on a chain email, and it's generous to throw some spare change to someone in true need.
How did this happen? What happened to Jesus telling us to carry each other's burdens? Jesus was a friend of sinners - He ate with them, He spent time with them, He loved on them, He served them. I think of stories in the Bible like when Jesus ate with tax collectors - some of the most despised people in Biblical times, or when He protected the woman caught in adultery from her accusers. And then I compare it to the average American Christian - donating their used clothes to a secondhand store, sending checks to missionaries abroad, maybe on rare occasions volunteering in a soup kitchen once a month or so. The two attitudes.....just don't compare.
Don't get caught up in our "fast food culture." Sure, it's nice to be able to drive through McDonald's and pick up a hamburger and fries on your way home from work. But that's where the convenience should end. When it comes to people, time is what really matters. Spend time with them - real time. Don't just throw money at them and assume that someone else will help them. Spend time with them; get to know their hearts, their hopes, their dreams. Find out who they really are - and love them as they are. After all, as "little Christs," how could we possibly do anything less?
What? Is she serious? When did courage get reduced to copying and pasting a link onto one's Facebook wall?? When did compassion becoming forwarding a chain email about a sick child to all of your contacts? When did generosity turn into giving a few dollars to the homeless man on the street, or donating your old clothes that you don't even wear anymore to the nearest Salvation Army, so that you can make room in your closets for more stuff?
We have become a fast food culture. Speed, technology, and convenience have become so important, that we tend to forget about everything else. But this "fast food" mentality has not only affected our meal choices. It has made everything briefer, of less importance, more expendable - especially relationships. That's why people break up with each other over texts; or obsessively check their Facebook activity on their smart phone, even when they're in the middle of a group of friends; or prefer to stay in their room playing computer games or watching movies, rather than spend time with real people. That's why it's now considered courageous to paste a controversial link onto your social media sites, it's compassionate to click 'forward' on a chain email, and it's generous to throw some spare change to someone in true need.
How did this happen? What happened to Jesus telling us to carry each other's burdens? Jesus was a friend of sinners - He ate with them, He spent time with them, He loved on them, He served them. I think of stories in the Bible like when Jesus ate with tax collectors - some of the most despised people in Biblical times, or when He protected the woman caught in adultery from her accusers. And then I compare it to the average American Christian - donating their used clothes to a secondhand store, sending checks to missionaries abroad, maybe on rare occasions volunteering in a soup kitchen once a month or so. The two attitudes.....just don't compare.
Don't get caught up in our "fast food culture." Sure, it's nice to be able to drive through McDonald's and pick up a hamburger and fries on your way home from work. But that's where the convenience should end. When it comes to people, time is what really matters. Spend time with them - real time. Don't just throw money at them and assume that someone else will help them. Spend time with them; get to know their hearts, their hopes, their dreams. Find out who they really are - and love them as they are. After all, as "little Christs," how could we possibly do anything less?
Galatians 6:2-10
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
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