We live in a world that is constantly shoving world views into our minds. The world says believe in yourself. God says believe in Jesus. The world says follow your heart. God says follow Him. The world says do what you need to get on top. God says show humility and honor. The world says buy everything you want. God says sell all that you have. The world says live until you die. God says die so that you may live. The world says the key to happiness is peace and love. God says I am joy, peace and love.
God wasn't kidding when He said the world will suck you in. We are consumed by a culture that feeds our souls idols at the click of a button. The character of patience is long lost and in the past. We get the things we want before we can actually sit and think. We do instead of pray. We act before we speak. And we complain before we give thanks. I often catch myself with this mindset while in traffic. I get so aggravated when someone cuts me off or heaven forbid they need to get over and I don't want to let them in because well getting where I need to be one minute earlier is extrememly important.
As I entered the working world I've encountered so many new things. One thing struck me today. Working in an IB school, I have many students who strive for perfection with their grades. Anything less than an A is just not good enough. Of course I want my students to reach these goals. However, how can it be a goal if you're already at the top? I'd be without a job that's for sure. Yet, I can't really blame them for not thinking this way. We are surrounded by a culture that tells us these things. But where does failure come in? We do indeed all fail at one point in our lives. Why don't we prepare our future generation for the realities of these truths as well? And then it hit me, another world view that is in oppostition to the gospel. The world tells us that we need to be perfect. Rarely do I hear that in order to obtain it, we must grow. A plant doesn't just sprout the second you put it in the soil. It takes time and care. With God, we obtain perfection through sanctification which is given to us through Jesus. He cares deeply for us and ensures that our lives are full of meaning and purpose. We will remain sinners until we die, but how amazing is God's grace that we can rest in knowing that we are no longer in bondage to sin and guilt. What a wonderful thought to know that even through the struggles, just like my 6th graders, we can have confidence and faith that one day we will be made perfect.
