I was struggling to sleep last night when a simple truth smacked me up side the head…
I don’t like prosperity.
I realized my current apprehension is actually because for a year now, there has been no catastrophe in my life.
Without going into what would surely sound like a pity party, let’s just say there has been something every year, for a very long time, that has brought me to my knees.
But there it is.
If I’m on my knees, then God is close.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:8
I’ve spent a lot of time getting fully acquainted with the meaning of “joy in trials”. I’ve surrendered to its truth. God is closest when I am struggling.
I need the pain of trial in this world for my sinful soul to comprehend the majesty of God’s love for me. I can’t do it without Him.
And so I ponder comfort. Comfort that is like a wall between us.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. - Matthew 19:24
But, aren’t we all “rich”? The definition of gluttony is having more than one needs…does anyone need 2 bathrooms? An iPhone? Television?
What if comfort is the best weapon the devil ever devised?
And instead of thinking about how lucky we are to live in this prosperous country, what if instead, we’re the ones farther from God, with bigger hills to climb?
A current car commercial sends shivers down my spine every time it runs. Parents are shown in a brand new, fully loaded SUV picking up their children from school. The children don’t know their parents have switched vehicles. When they finally get inside, they are inundated with features of this luxury vehicle. 365-degree cameras, leather seats and a hidden compartment for “phones” or “popcorn”. I’m always struck by how insidious this commercial truly is. Brainwashing children into becoming good consumers. Elevating comfort to a level that makes it seem unfair when the families have to return to “their own” vehicle.
In light of this cultural lean towards material comfort, how are Christians supposed to respond? I think most people here, in the Midwest, believe if they go to church on Sunday, work hard throughout the week, and help their neighbor occasionally, they deserve the comforts being sold in that commercial. But, is that really what Jesus calls us to?
I believe it’s more radical than that. (There’s a book by that title too!)
The bible says the “meek” shall inherit the Earth. If we look in the mirror, how many of us can truly assign such an adjective to ourselves?
And if not, what path are we truly walking?
But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. - Matthew 7:14
After all, as believers filled with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, our desires are supposed to change over time, as we become more and more like Jesus. The process of sanctification produces The Fruit of the Spirit. We are to look different from the world around us: loving, patient, kind, gentle, faithful, full of self-control and goodness. We are called to judge fellow Christians by this measure – does their life produce fruit?
Or do they look like everyone else?
I think if we’re not internally struggling with what this really looks like every day, especially in our extremely gluttonous society, it may be time for something radical.
After all, what’s more important?
Comfort now?
Or the eternal Kingdom of God?
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