I bet some folks see the graphic that inspired this essay and vigorously nod in agreement.
So why is it that me, and so many other serious Christians, found the world to be in a fog until we decided to follow Jesus Christ?
For years, I accepted the worldview pushed by my family, friends, co-workers, the entertainment industry and the media.
But it all lacked…focus. People, including me, weren’t satisfied. Struggling to climb the ladder of career success. Struggling to afford monster flat-screen TVs, bigger houses and cruise ship vacations. Struggling to obey our culture’s directive to ignore a world that seemed bent on slow destruction. Struggling to constantly turn our thoughts away from the nagging question “What’s it all for?”.
When I decided to follow Jesus Christ (whom serious Christians, and many others, believe is the son of God), the fog cleared and the truth of this world came into focus.
Struggling to get more money, more toys, more power and more sex is not the way to satisfaction. As a follower of Jesus, I know that satisfaction comes through following His example and His teachings.
Check out these teachings from one of the four Bible accounts of Jesus’ life on earth:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.
When you do something good, don’t do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
You cannot serve God and money at the same time.
Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment.
Do for others what you would want them to do for you.
Yes, some of these teachings are hard. And trust me, you are going to fail at some of them, just like me. And that’s OK. Serious followers of Jesus know that His sacrificial death on a cross wipes away the failures (you could even call them “sins”) of His followers, so that all God sees is the perfection of His son.
Furthermore, when you become a serious follower of Jesus, you welcome Him into your heart and your mind, where His strength, His perfection and His love for YOU start to transform your life. Right here, right now.
What do you think? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
In case you’re wondering, Blll Flavell, the name in the bottom right corner of the graphic, who wrote the words in the graphic, is a British atheist writer.
The fog doesn’t come from faith, it comes from a worldview that lacks understanding. It can, and does come from any and every type of worldview.
I think religion tends to be the target as it tends to bring pockets of dense fog much more easily, bringing people together with like-minded fog that is much more visible to outsiders.
No doubt about, Jason, “religion” can do just that. Glad I’m into faith and a relationship with Christ. 🙂
The trouble tends to be when faith is put on a pedestal above understanding. When that happens, neighbours are no longer being loved.
I agree, Jason. Faith and understanding should go hand-in-hand. Indeed, a section of the Bible called Proverbs teaches the value of wisdom. 🙂
[…] Source: BRINGING THE WORLD INTO FOCUS […]
True, when you set aside faith and the Word of God, the world does come into better view. When you look closely, you can see that this world is built on greed, lust and power. And that it is a vicious cycle which definitely does not favour the underdog.
That is precisely what turned me away from the world and sent me digging into the Word of God.
The Bible reveals that the world is tainted because sin and rebellion afflict the human race. But Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we can receive a new start in life through repentance (turning away from what is displeasing to God), having our old life buried through baptism in Jesus’ Name, and then receiving the precious gift of the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit on the inside of us!).
And the more you get to know Jesus, the less you care about this world! Not that you become insensitive to the pains and disappointments that people suffer in this world, but as Frank mentioned, you no longer care as much about the toys and luxuries that are only temporal.
Rather, you become more focused on what is pleasing to God. Which is all that will matter when you draw your last breath. I so want to hear these words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. I do not want to hear, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity”.
Great thoughts, Brook. Thanks for reading and weighing in. 🙂