Come Quickly
Last night I was reading a book wherein the author discussed how people often try to identify themselves through their relationships with others. This is so much more than co-dependency, though this is of course one manifestation of this concept. In fact, many who would not consider themselves to be codependent still go to great lengths to gain the approval of people around them; letting this determine where they live, what they wear, where they go to church, what they eat, whom they associate with, and on and on.
People are not content enough with themselves nor with their relationship with God to survive challenges to their relationships with people.
Though it might seem to some to be exactly the opposite, another horrible example of this occurred today on the campus of Virginia Tech. A sick individual decided that his identity was so wrapped up in another that when the relationship faltered there was no longer a stable reality. It's odd that being so tied up in identifying ourselves through others can lead someone to want to destroy them. However, this absurd result is still an extreme representation of how we can be so consumed with what people think of us rather than what God thinks of us our how we can love others.
Satan's presentation of this message is extremely effective. Sure, we may pride ourselves on how we are able to quickly identify as insane thoughts suc as "if I can't have him/her no one will." But what about when his message is more subtle or perhaps even disguised as something more noble? What if we are satisfying our need to impress others while trying to tell ourselves that we are buying a larger home so we can entertain our small group from church or some other such justification?
The fact is, our role is to love and serve men- not to appease them. It is to love others, not be identified by them. To serve them, not be consumed by them. Missing this mark was a part well-played by the Pharisees, by dominating dictators throughout history, by the shooter today at VT.
May our prayer be for identity in Christ- manifested by loving others in His name, but not seeking their approval. And as we observe this fallen world, may it also be:
Lord, come quickly.
People are not content enough with themselves nor with their relationship with God to survive challenges to their relationships with people.
Though it might seem to some to be exactly the opposite, another horrible example of this occurred today on the campus of Virginia Tech. A sick individual decided that his identity was so wrapped up in another that when the relationship faltered there was no longer a stable reality. It's odd that being so tied up in identifying ourselves through others can lead someone to want to destroy them. However, this absurd result is still an extreme representation of how we can be so consumed with what people think of us rather than what God thinks of us our how we can love others.
Satan's presentation of this message is extremely effective. Sure, we may pride ourselves on how we are able to quickly identify as insane thoughts suc as "if I can't have him/her no one will." But what about when his message is more subtle or perhaps even disguised as something more noble? What if we are satisfying our need to impress others while trying to tell ourselves that we are buying a larger home so we can entertain our small group from church or some other such justification?
The fact is, our role is to love and serve men- not to appease them. It is to love others, not be identified by them. To serve them, not be consumed by them. Missing this mark was a part well-played by the Pharisees, by dominating dictators throughout history, by the shooter today at VT.
May our prayer be for identity in Christ- manifested by loving others in His name, but not seeking their approval. And as we observe this fallen world, may it also be:
Lord, come quickly.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home