So much of this world’s culture revolves around the desperate need to be happy, leading to the manic drive to edit the footage of our lives in order to project a pristine and happy existence (“…maybe if I appear happy, I will actually feel happy…maybe if I can convince others, I can convince myself…”).
This is a distorted, festering desire that consumer culture, advertising agencies, Facebook, and Ole’ Slew Foot himself are only too happy to exploit.
…
Jesus shows us a different path to happiness, a path based on truth and facing up to the undeniable reality of sin and brokenness and pain and suffering.
The path to resurrection life and genuine joy is not Madison Avenue, it is the Via Dolorosa, the path to the cross, the path that Jesus blazed for us to follow -we follow not redemptively, but existentially (not to gain our salvation, but to work it out, in other words) (1Pe 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps”).
This path requires travelling lightly. It ruthlessly demands a spurning of all boasting, self-righteousness and self-sufficiency, counting them dung by God’s standards (Philipians 3:7-8), in order to gain a better, indestructible hope: “Put your hope completely in the grace that will be given to you when Jesus Christ returns” 1Pet1:13 NIrV.
So, in the interests of “honesty in advertising” and to encourage myself and others to spurn the toxic highway and choose the narrower, better path (Matt 7:13-14), I’ll share some of my verbal and [mental] communication prior to the silver cooker hood finding it’s final, beautiful location (sealed by a joyful high five and a tender kiss and embrace):
“I know it was a good deal […curse Facebook market place…], but you know we don’t have money for that right now”
…
“I don’t think we need it. You really think it’s going to make a difference to the room..?”
…
“I’m sick of moving this thing around…look at all the dust on it…can’t we just sell it…”
[hmm, I can’t drop it and break it, like a piece of pottery, and it’s too big to “accidentally” sweep into the bin…besides I know she’ll notice it’s gone]
…
“I know it’s been six months, but it’s on my radar…you know I’ve been getting other things done […talk about a dripping tap…boy, the apostle Paul sure knew what he was talking about…]”
…
“Okay, I’ve got a gap, let’s do this thing, I need your help…are you sure you want it there, I’m not redoing it…this thing is heavy, make up your mind…okay pass me the star screw driver…no don’t get up here…Noo!!…you’re too heavy… just do what I’m asking you…the spirit level…the spirit level!!!!..there behind you…*^#6%^&$!!…now I’ve got to reposition it…”
…
“Wow, that looks good. I’m so glad I decided to keep it…What are you sniggering about?”
